“Youth Organizations United for Growth (YOUNG) is a Strategic Partnership project of 24 months, involving 2 NGOs from Denmark and Italy and 1 educational institution from Croatia, aimed at supporting the social inclusion and personal development of youth migrants as well as raising empathic and inclusive behaviour among native youths.“The employment of third-country nationals in the public sector promotes diversity in society and fosters integration. According to the 2015 OECD report on indicators of migrant integration, it “gives the immigrant community greater visibility, showing the private sector the way and improving the way the host society perceives them in the long term” (European Union for Fundamental Rights – Report “Together in the EU – promoting the participation of migrants and their descendent” - 2017).In this respect, the problems faced by first generation migrant youth are particularly severe and wide-ranging, as is their overall socio-economic vulnerability. Many youth migrants in European countries face marginalization and social exclusion in due to belonging to fragile components of the wider youth population. These youngsters face substantial inequality with their peers in education, employability, personal development, civic and social participation, compounding them with the cultural and often linguistic barriers typical of migrants.At the same time native youths suffering from the Mass and Social Media influence are hampered in developing tolerance, empathy and inclusive behaviour towards youth migrants.YOUNG project aim at tackling both abovementioned issues through a comprehensive strategy involving both target group. Drawing inspiration from the Danish Red Croos “Fast track to employment” programme in which Asylum seekers had the possibility to meet a volunteer “buddy” from the host community, YOUNG will apply this best practice in its envisaged learning process, establishing a “Buddy system” between native and migrant youths involved in the Mobilities and in overall project activities.Project objectives are: - Fostering empowerment and inclusion of first generation migrant youngsters through international mobilities, peer-interaction and Non Formal Education applied to Employability and Entrepreneurial Education and Intercultural Competences Pathway.- Raising awareness and develop civic sense, empathy and tolerance among native youths towards young migrants peers.- Raise awareness among policy-makers, NGOs, stakeholders and the general public about the role of youth NGOs and non-formal learning as active actors in bridging the gap left from the educational system towards the personal development of first generation migrants as well as the fostering social and cultural interaction between native and migrant youths.- Providing best practices, knowledge and concrete toolkit among NGOs from different European countries in order to improve professionalism of youth workers, variety and quality of educational activities delivered with a view to enhancing quality and effectiveness of youth work in Europe.Tangible Results:- 1 Research Report containing statistics and needs regarding first generation migrant youths in matter of social inclusion and integration in the labour market in participating partner countries.- 1 Handbook containing the instructions on how to establish a “buddy system” between native and first generation migrant youth.1 Manual containing existent best practices on fostering access and integration to the labour market of first generation migrant youth and educational toolkit based on NFE applied to Employability and Entrepreneurial Education and Intercultural Competences Pathway.1 Blog created by the participants during the first mobility which will be the diary of their shared educational learning journey.The project is expected to have a significant impact on participants in emotional, relational and educational terms. Interacting with native peers as buddies and young people from different European countries facing the same challenges and obstacles in a playful and participatory atmosphere, participants will improve their awareness of mutually respectful cooperation, exchange of views, visions and values. At the same time, participating in educational initiatives provided through targeted methodologies that offer young participants a chance to improve their self-esteem, confidence in oneself, sense of creativity, responsibility, teamwork skills, orientation to learning in both formal and non-formal contexts, as well as attitudes of active participation and involvement that will be able to incorporate into educational, social and civil contexts. Long-term benefit it is provided by participants implementation of local activities acting as Multiplier Ambassadors. Furthermore partners will engage themselves in promote the contents and methodologies produced during the project in order to be used by a large spectrum of stakeholders.

CONTEXTThe problem of the social exclusion of young people and disintegration in the labour market as a consequence of the absence of key competences for lifelong learning and of entrepreneurial thoughts and behaviour encompasses severe and limiting effects:Increase of:- Nº of young people in situation of exclusion and social disintegration;- Number of young NEETs;- No. of young unemployed.OBJECTIVESPromotion of:1. The empowerment of young people through the development of key competences for lifelong learning and the adoption of entrepreneurial thoughts and behaviour;2. Young entrepreneurship, through the transfer of knowledge and methodologies, methods and tools to start new work;3. The social inclusion of young people, including socially underrepresented groups (such as ethnic minorities and migrants), by creating opportunities and enabling them to integrate into the labour market;4. The empowerment of social agents (such as youth workers, trainers, teachers, etc.) for the work of social inclusion and youth entrepreneurship;5. The potential of the NFE methodology in the empowerment and personal, social and professional development of young people;6. Provide educational institutions with competencies for the incorporation of complementary actions to formal education for the personal, social and professional development of young people;7. Sharing existing good practices based on the intervention programme for the development of key competences for lifelong learning and the adoption of entrepreneurial thoughts and behaviour that will bridge the transition between education and the labour market.PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS1. Young people- Aged between 18-30;- Belonging to underrepresented social groups;- With fewer opportunities;- Attending higher education (preferably in transition to the labour market);- Motivated to participate in the project;- With the ability to disseminate the results with other young people.2. Social agents- Aged over 18 years;- Active at the youth field;- Capable of working and involving young people, incorporating methodologies such as NFE;- With knowledge in the thematic of the project;- Capable of leading and managing the process of direct work with young people in the development of key competences and entrepreneurial thoughts and behaviour;- Capable of disseminating results and influencing young people, social agents and stakeholders.ACTIVITIES AND NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS1. Design, planning and preparation activities10/2019 to 12/2020.Reference of 20 participants.2. Virtual mobility10/2019 to 12/2020.Reference of 20 participants.3. Transnational meetings11/2019; 05/2020 and 11/2020.2 participants per institution.4. TC01/2020.2 social agents per institution.5. Empowerment sessions01/2020 to 09/2020.Reference of 20 participants.6. BM09/2020.5 young people (representing local groups) per institution.7. Monitoring and evaluation and dissemination activities10/2019 to 12/2020.Reference of 20 participants.METHODOLOGY1. ENF: incorporation of dynamic characteristics that encourage personal and social development, such as get to know, ice breakers, group dynamics, reflection, sharing, debate, active construction of knowledge, personal and group evaluation, and development of competences and of entrepreneurial thoughts and behaviour adjusted to the rhythm, expectations and personal goals.2. EF: appropriation for the co-creation of materials that are understandable and based on real knowledge.3. IE: appropriation of the dynamics for recognition and transfer of European social values.RESULTS1. Tangibles- Dissemination materials;- EYE - Entrepreneurship & Youth Empowerment: Manual;- EYE - Entrepreneurship & Youth Empowerment: Manual for Youth Workers.2. Intangible- Competences of the reference framework of the Recommendations of the Council of the EU;- Personal, social, educational and emotional competences;- Inclusive and entrepreneurial thoughts and behaviour;- Experiences of personal, social and professional development.LONG TERM IMPACTS AND BENEFITS- Development of key competences for lifelong learning and adoption of entrepreneurial thoughts and behaviour;- Development of projects and ideas of personal forum, with personal, social and professional impact;- A greater spirit of initiative and entrepreneurship;- Recognition of practices, methods and tools aimed at empowerment young people in the field of social inclusion, entrepreneurship and employability;- Ability to work internationally in partnership and cooperation with other social agents and institutions;- Capacity for direct and reinforced work with young people with fewer opportunities and from underrepresented social groups;- Recognition and access to opportunities for the development of key competences and entrepreneurial thoughts and behaviour, either through the Erasmus+ programme.

ContextThe social problem we tried to overcome is that of scarce investment in young sports entrepreneurship.The project had as strategic objectives the acceleration of ideas in the field of sport, the promotion and training of young people for entrepreneurship and the creation of entrepreneurial projects in the sports field, under the general objective the sharing of good practices and the consequent dissemination of results in the area of young sports entrepreneurship in Europe. ObjectivesGeneral:1. The sharing of good practices and the dissemination of results in the field of young sports entrepreneurship.Specific:1. Promote youth empowerment for entrepreneurship;2. Promote training for intercultural dialogue, active citizenship and social inclusion;3. Promote the development of cultural and social skills in young people that allow participation in multicultural contexts;4. Promote the adequacy of young people's learning to the current needs of the labor market;5. Promote the creation of new businesses/projects with an impact on young employability;6. To promote the training of youth workers as agents of intervention/change in the achievement of the Europe 2020 objectives;7. Promote discussion and sharing of ideas, experiences and experiences;8. Promote the development of a culture of efficiency and effectiveness, quality and responsibility in the field of sport;9. Promote equity and social inclusion through the participation of young people with fewer opportunities;10. Promote NFE as an education/training methodology and Youthpass as an instrument for recognition and validation of competencies. Profile of participants- TM: 2 responsible members of the consortium organizations, who were 18 years of age or older and who work directly with young people in the scope of social inclusion.- TC: 3 youth workers from each organization with 18 years old or over, and who intervene directly with young people in the scope of social inclusion, especially young people with fewer opportunities;- BM: 6 young people with fewer opportunities, for each organization, aged between 18 and 30 years and with training in the field of sport and who shown motivation and interest in participating in an initiative promoting youth entrepreneurship in sport and the consequent social inclusion of young people. Description of activities- TM: three sessions held throughout the project, with the participation of 2 members from each partner organization with experience of the same and the competences in the design and planning, implementation and evaluation of projects, to define tasks, and procedures of management and project planning and implementation, logistical issues, communication and cooperation between the parties involved in the project, among others;- TC: training and preparation of youth workers for 4 days in Guimarães, Portugal. Aimed at the participation of youth workers for their training in the design, coordination and implementation of project activities according to methodology and intellectual outputs developed in the E4SPORT project, for the development of competencies based on NFE methodology, focused on youth entrepreneurship in sports and for involvement in youth social inclusion initiatives;- BM: took place during 5 days, in December 2019 in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, with the participation of young people with fewer opportunities, motivated to develop skills and learning were carried out through activities of reflection, debate and exchange of intercultural experiences. Applied methodologyThe cross-project methodology was NFE, which focus on the stimulation of reflections and debates based on the development of competences and the sharing of learning experiences. Social outcomes and impacts- Development of social and personal skills in youth and youth workers through NFE;- Promotion of the knowledge of the entrepreneurial practice in the context of sport;- Promotion of sports management skills, relevant both to the creation of a business, to a subsequent work in the field of sport or as a form of personal enrichment;- Obtaining and/or extending the networking network;- Increased motivation and empowerment for active participation in society;- Raising awareness of European social values;- Appreciation of the methodology of NFE in social interventions. Long-term benefits- Enhancement of the capacity of organizations and their technicians for social transformation;- Extension of European networks of partnerships;- Increased social, democratic and cultural participation;- Increased entrepreneurial initiatives in sport based on non-formal education methodology;- Decrease in social exclusion and the unemployment rate in sport.

According to New skills Agenda for Europe (2016) “70 million Europeans lack adequate reading and writing skills, and even more have poor numeracy and digital skills, putting them at risk of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion”. The EU Agenda for Adult Education informs that there is a strong need to increase participation in adult learning of all kinds, since it is a key for personal development, active citizenship and social inclusion. Adult learning is also needed to meet the necessity for new skills, answer the demand for human capital on the labour market. In this context, European Adult Education Providers search to respond to a diverse range of needs of their learners since the need of educational opportunities seems arising, and it is a way of providing solutions to social problems and at the same time is stimulating economic growth and new employment perspective. The project “Better and easier access to lifelong learning in Europe” has been developed in order to respond to the stated issues identified in prior, with the aim to facilitate the access to lifelong learning opportunities for adults. It proposes the elaboration of educational materials and tools that will stimulate participation of individuals in training activities and quality learning processes. The project will also strive to strengthen the profiles of professionals operating in this sector, by increasing the quality of the educational offer which they propose, bringing high quality learning opportunities tailored to the needs of individuals. The principal core project objectives include: - To assess the needs of individual learners in each country regarding the provision of high quality tailored training courses and modules - To develop a joint definition of tailor-made adult centered quality criteria for education and training - To foster the cooperation among entities operating in the field, establishing cross sectorial partnership aimed at further sustainable development of the adult educational sector in Europe - To raise awareness of LLL among various target groups on local and international level - To create an online learning platform containing a high quality training offer for adults in terms of standardized course modules programs, translated in 7 EU languages with the aim to ease the access to lifelong learning and stimulating better the involvement of learners from more countries in such processes - To create a community of practice among AE professionals with the aim to exchange best practices, tools and information and in this way enhance the cooperation among the education, training and youth fields Therefore, the implementation of the current project will allow to: - Implement and test innovating learning materials, educational and training practices in the field of adult education among diverse specific target groups - Better prepare and enhance the competences of professionals for dealing with challenges in learning environments - Encourage the use of online educational tools and provide better access to educational and training opportunities for target groups - Strengthen the cooperation between the AEPs and other associated stakeholders on transnational level - Promote the integration of adult learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and vulnerable groups and raise awareness about lifelong learning in Europe The consortium of partners has been composed of 6 institutions operating in the education, training and youth field from 6 EU countries, each of them possessing a different field of expertise in the educational sector. Through the creation of such consortium, the project establishes a transnational cross-sectorial cooperation which is more than relevant for the above stated community needs and has high potential to bring quality results at local/national and international level. The creation of intellectual outputs, such as online learning platform or Community of Practice for stakeholders interested to work further on in the process of strengthening lifelong learning engagement, represents a positive outcome which will be achieved through the project. Its major long-term effects are expressed through the fostered opportunities for lifelong learning and the better applicability of the skills and qualifications to be acquired by the target groups during the project and after its end. The involvement of diverse stakeholders and associated partners that will cooperate together is of significant importance for the future of policy-making procedures regarding adult learning, employability, integration of job market and inclusion on national and EU level. The project is a step towards a cooperation, which on a long term basis will impact the EU society on a larger scale and will be a way to deal efficiently with the unemployment problems, the migration crisis, the educational difficulties, as well as with problems of social exclusion or school dropout.

"BACKGROUND There are a number of frameworks, standards and protocols to assist companies adopt and implement the sustainability practices. However, those frameworks, standards and protocols can be complex, especially for SMEs, and are designed as “one size fits all” with large enterprises in mind (Tutterow, 2014). SMEs today, lack important knowledge regarding sustainability problems (many SMEs admit to confusion over what sustainability is and which programme to follow to introduce sustainability into their businesses). At the same time accountants need to know more about the principles of sustainability if they are to take an independent proactive approach to their work. Report-ASAP concerns the lack of specific experts and expertise in relation to sustainable accounting and reporting practices and techniques. OBJECTIVES - A useful first step to implement sustainability for SMEs. - Encourage the spread of a CSR culture among SMEs operating in the six EU countries of the partnership. - Make sustainability easy to implement while delivering business benefits in terms of cost savings, marketing and employee engagement. - Practical sustainability advice: cover key topics such as energy efficiency, waste and recycling, travel, food, water, health and well-being. - Develop policies/practices to make it easier for SMEs to adopt sustainable practices in their day to day business. PARTICIPANTS [7 partners from 6 countries] The partnership comprises a university actively supporting the up-skilling of SMEs from the region, a software house with significant experience in bespoke web applications, a HEI Foundation which promotes the development of collaboration channels within its socioeconomic environment, a business school and business incubator, a consultancy offering accounting and training services to SMEs, a chamber serving SME members and an educational technology specialist with experience in personalised learning. ACTIVITIES - An analysis of the current awareness of target groups in relation to sustainable accounting and the benefits of corporate sustainability practices in terms of cost savings, marketing and employee engagement. - The design and development of an online training course and supporting tools addressing the missing knowledge and expertise for the adoption of sustainable accounting practices by SMEs. - The establishment of a framework for the recognition of skills and achievements by learners. - The validation of the training course through training sessions. - The dissemination of the training course through multiplier events and its sustainability through the growth of a network of adopters facilitated by a virtual space providing infrastructure, resources and assistance. METHODOLOGY - Identify and depict the existing approaches to ""Sustainable Accounting"" and determine the missing knowledge and skills - Compare national approaches from a critical viewpoint leading to ""Sustainability Reporting Literacy Levels"" across participating countries - Derive a set of recommendations to help even out the ""Sustainability Literacy"" levels - Design & Develop a Training Course addressing the identified shortage in knowledge and skills. - Model the course inside a Learning Motivation Environment (LME) - Design a dynamic demonstrator to visually explain key concepts of the course. - Create a virtual space as the single entry point to all outputs and provide the necessary infrastructure to support and grow a network of adopters. RESULTS - Set of recommendations for addressing the shortage in knowledge and skills related to sustainable accounting - Training Course and Trainer's Guide - Online Delivery Environment and Dynamic Demonstrator - Open Badges Framework for skills and achievements recognition - A virtual space providing the necessary infrastructure to support an international network of adopters. IMPACT - Increased awareness about Sustainable Accounting practices and reporting systems - Acquisition of Sustainable Accounting skills. - Mobility through ECVET provisions and the Skills and Achievements Recognition Framework. - Improvement of current training opportunities and tools in support of sustainable accounting and reporting practices and techniques. - Increased trust among investors and consumers. - Promotion of Sustainable Accounting practices as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility policy. - Accessible training opportunities of high quality and value. - Improvement of company image and positive impact on balance sheet. LONG TERM BENEFITS The diffusion of the CSR culture among SMEs operating in the six European countries of the partnership. Benefits of sustainability reporting for SMEs include increased appeal to environmentally conscious customers, strengthening relationships with suppliers, positioning their brand as a good corporate citizen, generating greater loyalty and commitment from employees, and reducing operating costs resulting in improved profitability."