"ART BEYOND GAZE (ABeyGA)CONTEXT/BACKGROUNDArt creation allows the individuals to fulfill themselves, to express their deepest feelings, and to eliminate the intensity of everyday life. It is considered to be the tool for communication and verbal and/or non-verbal expression of intimate feelings in an alternative way. Art creations, in different forms (such as painting, sculpture, music, etc) can also serve therapeutic purposes especially for young learners with Special Educational Needs and Difficulties (SEND). In our digital era, art can be supported by many innovative methods, tools and practices which can offer the chance for a better social inclusion for young learners. Art technology offers a unique opportunity to tackle discrimination through its globalization and accessibility to all individuals. The peculiar circumstances created by COVID 19 highlight the importance of digital art creation as a means of communication and expression, given that during the pandemic the distance between individuals is imposed; art functions as a bridge which unites people and nations world-wide. AIM/OBJECTIVESIn the above frame, the general aim of ABeyGA project is to approach art creations in an alternative way with the total involvement of senses within art workshops and cultural environments in general (e.g. museums, cultural centers etc) and to support young learners especially with SEND, so they can be successfully included in their school and social environment through art education. More specifically, this program aims to design, implement and evaluate alternative innovative activities (through digital, multi-sensory and interactive methods in approaching art), and exchange the good transnational practices/activities between the partners.Also:- to develop a holistic global conception of art using all sensations (look but also touch, hearing, smell)- to adopt a multicultural approach of artworks opened to new worldviews (different perception of colors, sounds, art materials depending on the country of origin)- to engage the young people in the reproduction of known art works using digital or/and natural materials from the regions/countries involved- to support young people especially with SEND to be involved in communication by and for young peopleBENEFICIARIESThe beneficiaries of the project are mostly young learners with SEND and vulnerable young people in general, youth workers, educators and social work organizations, but also families, other young people, schools, colleges, high schools and universities.INTELLECTUAL OUTPUTS/ACTIVITIESThe project's Intellectual Outputs are a “Train the trainer” art Guidebook that will be made by PDETh organization (GREECE) for art teachers and youth trainers that focuses on how to organize art activities in schools and non-formal art & youth organizations. Also, a ""Digital Game for Young Learners"" made by COAT (ITALY) related to the production of artistic material (3D animation and games) by using high-tech technology in order for the art creation to be more comprehensible and accessible to the young people, especially with SEND. Moreover, ""Evaluating Videos"" made by BLUE ROOM (ITALY) to assess the workshops' products and practices through videos. Last but not least, a ""Digital Art Folder"" made by OPENUP (GREECE), as a digital library for the digitized artistic material - work (images, sound, text) created in the art and digital workshops. The ABeyGA project also includes training activities which are the ""Digital Training Activities"" realized by COAT and the ""Art Workshops"" realized by the Escola d'Art d'Olot. Additionally, the ""Local Workshops -Trainings"" activities will involve local cultural centers, galleries, schools special and not, vet schools, public bodies to spread the above mentioned innovative practices and the knowledge acquired to the youth workers and the young people, so they can be implemented. For the accomplishment of the IOs, five consortium meetings will be organized throughout the project every 5 months with the involvement of two participants from each partner. The kick-off meeting will take place in Larissa, Greece, the second one in Trevi, Italy (Digital Training), the third meeting in Barcelona, Spain (art workshops), the fourth one in Lyon, France (discussion about the Pilot Art Workshops) and the final project meeting in Athens, Greece, (assess the overall project cycle and analyze the main success\shortcomings).RESULTSThe expected results connected to the IOs and activities are related to the personal and professional development of the trainers so as to respond more efficiently to the demands of their social role, as parents, teachers, professionals. As for the young, especially with SEND, the project will guarantee the development of their learning skills and the reinforcement of their social- emotional abilities and self- expression to be included in their social and cultural environment."

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECTVET schools has fulfilled most of its goals if students learn necessary skills and knowhow of particular profession, graduate on time and become employed after graduation. This task is not easy as alarming number of early leavers from VET education and decreasing number of employment rate of recent graduates show.Our aim was to find new pedagogical methods to tackle these challenges. We focused on develop of intrinsic motivation of students by collaborative knowledge creation culture, supporting atmosphere and constant feedback. This was done by studying larger multidisciplinary modules and with teachers who have a mindset of supporting coach. Finally learning framework for all this was a company – which students established, branded and run with coaching of well-branded companies and retailers, and use of advanced eLearning platform. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT STUDENTS 1) Learn vocational and life-learning skills and STUDY PART OF VET DEGREE by a. establishing 6 companies as a mixed group (business & artisan students together) b. branding companies with coaching of well-branded company c. running the company as a mixed group and selling products in 3 countries and online webstore 2) Will be coached and supported in emotionally safe, helpful and permissive international learning environment 3) Support skilled and motivated students to make their dreams come true and learn VET degree in learning-by-doing way COMPANIES 4) Retailers support Young Talents and benefit from co-operation 5) Well-branded companies support students to create new successful brands TEACHERS 6) Learn new groundbreaking pedagogical model and mindset to work as supporting coach SCHOOLS 7) Participating students graduate on time and become employed with brilliant vocational and life-long learning skills. New alternative way of studying curriculum will be constructed (learning wise&economically competitive). VET EDUCATION IN GENERAL 8) Improve the brand of VET education in Europe RESULTS AND IMPACTS RESULTS 1. YOUNG TALENTS ENGAGING LEARNING MODEL TO LEARN LARGE PART OF VET DEGREE BY BEING INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEUR WAS CREATED 1.1. SIX INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES WITH STRONG BRAND WAS ESTABLISHED 1.2. LEARNING MATERIAL TO LEARN VOCATIONAL SKILLS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP WAS PUBLISHED 1.3 RETAILERS GOT NEW PRODUCTS TO THEIR STORE 1.4. SCHOOLS GOT NEW DIGITAL PEDAGOGICAL TOOLS FOR THEIR USE IMPACTS: STUDENTS 48 students studied part of VET degree with multidisciplinary entrepreneurship studies and - Learning skills developed as they had to find themselves solutions to their company challenges - Super learned life learning skills including digital skills (incl. making of videos) - Are able to establish, brand and run a company in intl market - Have a real chance to become a fulltime or part-time entrepreneur after graduation with their company - Co-operation with retailers increased and possibility to get a job there improved - Were able to learn 24/7 TEACHERS got skills to change teaching from distributor of knowledge to supporting coach. WELL-BRANDED COMPANIES, RETAILERS AND JA FINLAND were able to participate in constructing content of VET studies. Can use Young Talents brand in company’s sustainable responsibility PR. Got new fresh ideas and new products to their company. SCHOOLS Change in pedagogical structure in VET schools makes it possible to re-allocate economical resources. Utilization of eLearning increased significantly. COORDINATORS’ Projects can be run more smoothly with user friendlier eKampus VET in general was polished by success stories of pedagogical model. RESULT 2. YOUNG TALENTS COACH ACADEMY MODEL FOR TEACHERS TO LEARN HOW TO WORK AS SUPPORTING COACH IMPACTS: STUDENTS are now better able to learn in emotionally safe, helpful and permissive learning environment. TEACHERS’ mindset changed from distributor of knowledge to supporting coach working with collaborative method WELL-BRANDED COMPANIES AND RETAILERS were able to participate collaboratively in developing VET education (in the learning process of students (and teachers)) SCHOOLS Teachers new competence makes it possible to re-allocate economical resources in new pedagogical focuses in VET schools LONGER TERM BENEFITS - Schools have opportunity to learn the improved learning and economically competitive features of the Young Talents Learning Model and the Young Talent Coach Academy model. For this reason, they may broaden the Young Talents Learning model to other studies in their school and coach new teachers with Young Talents Coach Academy model. Model was put in use also in other schools through good dissemination.See: - THE STORIES OF YOUNG TALENTS - INTRODUCTION TO YOUNG TALENTS LEARNING MODEL https://youtu.be/8Cn0nrAkNt0- YOUNG TALENTS COACH ACADEMY - New Learning Model https://youtu.be/QmcV1IRrixY- www.youngtalents.pro