Empowerment Guide 3D2

2
The Empowerment
Guide
From
International training course

05 12.05.2015, Gudevica, Bulgaria
Presented by
NC Future Now 2006

And
Erasmus + Programme
Contacts:
[email protected]
Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Get to know more about Discover, Dream and Do 2 ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Training venue ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Aims & objectives ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Project design - the 3D Process .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
The Training Course ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Participants .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Coordinating organization ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Partners in the project .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Trainers team ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Program Implemented ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Basic Information .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Empowerment .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Examining "Empowerment": A How-To Guide for the Youth Development Professional ................................................................... 8
Self-Efficacy ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................13
Youth unemployment...............................................................................................................................................................................................15
Youth unemployment rate in EU member states as of November 2014 (seasonally adjusted) .......................................................15
Why is youth unemployment in the EU so high? ...........................................................................................................................................16
Youth employment ..............................................................................................................................................................................................17
Outcomes .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................18
Passion in Action ........................................................................................................................................................................................................18
Community event ......................................................................................................................................................................................................22
Workshop 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................22
Workshop 2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................26
Workshop 3 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................28
Workshop 4 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................30
RECOMMENDATIONS:..............................................................................................................................................................................................33
The pictures from the training course for this guide are made and edited by Lora Abadjieva, Ivan Kadijski and
Bogdan Romanica.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein.
Contacts:
[email protected]
Introduction
This guide is created as a result of intensive work by participants and trainers team during TC Discover,
Dream and Do 2 (2014-1-BG01-KA105-000183), funded by European Erasmus + Program.
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Discover, Dream and DO are three important steps in
creating fulfillment, joy and happiness in life. We believe
that these steps are essential for sustainable
development and personal growth. Knowing who you
are, your uniqueness and gifts, dreaming and acting in
order to achieve your ideals are sources for
empowerment. Many youth nowadays are facing
difficulties and struggling to find a meaning in their
lives. In a fast changing world, the youth have to be
prepared and ready to adapt in the labor market. Thus
the youth worker can play a key role in the development
and fulfillment of young people. But before
empowering young people, a youth worker should be
empowered and competent. That is why we are making
this project, to increase the quality of youth work in the
countries which are involved in this project, so the youth
can become more prepared for their careers and
professions.
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The Aim of the course is:
To train and empower youth workers to become
creators of better educational projects and activities in
order to increase young peoples employment chances.
The concrete objectives set for the course are:
Increasing the level of knowledge and
understanding of the empowerment process and
non-formal education.
Understanding the concept of employability in a
large European perspective.
Exploring/learning/testing/adapting/creating new
tools and methods
for young peoples
employability and personal development.
Exploring and understanding how nature and
outdoor spaces can be used in education and
personal development.
Developing basic coaching competences.
Increasing motivation of youth workers in order to become stronger professionals.
Understanding the multiple roles of a youth worker and creating a long term personal vision
about this role.
Contacts:
[email protected]
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The learning process implemented led to a bigger impact in the development of the participants. Thus
we created a three phase process which will be described below.
Induction phase
Training course in
Romania
Mentoring phase
1. INDUCTION PHASE
One month before the training course the participants received weekly
learning packs. Learning packs contained a newsletter, where the participants
had the chance to introduce themselves to the group; there was a short
online course, with concepts, theories, video presentations and useful images
to the participants. The newsletters had the role to introduce the participants
into the learning mood and create new knowledge about the training themes.
2. TRAINING COURSE
You will have more details bellow.
3. MENTORING PHASE
Throughout 5 weeks the participants were guided by the
trainers team in three directions: DIRECT MENTORING, for
improving the implementation of new tools and methods
that we experienced during the training. ONLINE LEARNING,
which is a continuation of the newsletters and the creation
of this EMPOWERMENT GUIDE. The Guide is a reference
document that combines theories, good practices, personal
opinions and stories from the participants. The theme of the
booklet is: Youth Empowerment towards Employability.
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The course is prepared and implemented on the basis of a
methodology that emphasizes active participation and
commitment of all people involved. Therefore, the program
was subject to regular changes and adaptations before and
during the course. The activities used are ice-breakers, roleplays, teambuilding and outdoor activities, debates, open
space and workshops to develop life skills and competences
useful for any youth worker. The working methods were the:
Experiential learning, Educator to peer and "Peer to
Peer".
On the fifth day the participants delivered empowering
sessions for local organizations and youth.
This training course was quite challenging since we were
reflecting and facing challenges on individual and on group
level, overcoming demanding situations, while questioning a lot how we and others are living and passed
intensive reflection moments.
The main theme of the training is EMPLOYABILITY, thus most of the methods have a focus on how the
youth workers can increase the employability of young people.
Contacts:
[email protected]
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The group of participants included 23 young people from 5 countries Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Czech
Republic and Poland.
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NC Future Now 2006
http://gudevica.org/
https://www.facebook.com/nc.future.now.2006?ref=bookmarks
NC "Future Now 2006" is founded in 2006. Our mission is to enrich the process of personal
development and learning, inspired by nature.
Main activities of the organization are youth work, non-formal education and personal development for
children and youth, social integration of disadvantaged young people, Eco, Civil and HR education,
employability support. We conduct trainings on national and international level (Youth in Action,
Erasmus + and Euro-Med IV programmes), EVS projects, children camps, trainings for teachers,
extracurricular activities in schools.
Main objectives of NC Future now are - Developing alternative educational programs; Environmental
education for children and youths; Promoting Non-formal education; Social integration of young people
with fewer opportunities; Development of Youthwork in Bulgaria.
NC Future now is member of networks CEEweb for Biodiversity, Rckenwind - Support of young people
with fewer opportunities and Network for sustainable exchange Alive places.
NC "Future Now 2006" poses and run outdoor educational centre "Nature school" for promoting
sustainable practices and outdoor education for children and youth.
Our team is composed of experienced professionals - international trainers and educators, youthworkers
and project managers.
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Youth for exchange and understanding Cyprus;

Asociatia Dreams for Life - Romania
AFS Mezikulturn programy, o.s. Czech Republic;
Centrum Wolontariatu w Kielcach Poland;
Contacts:
[email protected]
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Karolna Kousalov (CZECH REPUBLIC) she discovered the world of nonformal education when she was 18 and left as an exchange student for
one year in Germany. After return, Karolina became a volunteer in the
NGO that had sent her and since then she has been active especially in
the field of intercultural learning. Eager to have more intercultural
experience and to develop skills, she left for EVS to Belgium for 8 months,
couple years ago. After returning she joined the Czech Pool of trainers for
EVS. And become a youth worker working with young people on the topics
of intercultural learning, personal development or active citizenship.
Bogdan Romanica (ROMANIA) is a dedicated youth worker, trainer and
motivational speaker. He is crazy about changing the world and making Earth a
better place to live. He is dedicated to the following actions: supporting young
people to discover themselves, encouraging them to dream big, working with
youth for personal action plans and empowering them to act according to their
dreams and ideals. He has a wide experience in personal development,
empowerment and experiential learning, at a national and international level.
Bogdan is part of Romanian Youth in Action National Agency Trainers Pool.
Ognian Gadoularov (BULGARIA) Youth worker and Trainer from Bulgaria..

Specialized in international youth cooperation projects. He is involved in
interactive teaching and environmental education. Prepares and educates
instructors for working with children and young people. Ognian perform
responsibilities as a trainer for Bulgarian Youth in Action National Agency. Expert
in conducting adventure programs based on experiential learning and improving
team performance.
He is a certified instructor in rock climbing and slack lining.
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07.05
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09.05
10.05
11.05
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
INTRO DAY
DISCOVER DAY
DREAM DAY
DO DAY
DO DAY
DO DAY
Official opening
Passion In
Action 1
Outside the
BOX
Mr. Benjamin story
Re-uniting the team

trust fall
Introduction
Where do I stand?
Causes of
unemployment
Break
Break
Break
Get to know each

other
I am ME
Nature - a tool for

empowerment
Break
Empowerment
Guide
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Teambuilding
Self efficacy
Break
Four agreements
Influences
and learning
- creating a
learning
environment
Break
Break
Passion
In
Action 2
Lunch
Preparation for
workshops
Coaching for
employability 1
Free afternoon
Workshops with local

youth
Break
Break
Break
Break
Tools for competency

assessment
Coaching for
employability 2
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
Dinner
Dinner
Dinner
Dinner
Welcome
Evening
Sharing stories
Cultural
Cross-Road
Night
traveler
Arrival
Welcome
Free afternoon
Lunch
Workshops with local

youth
Lunch
Personal Action
planning and
learning
achievements
Break
Evaluation
Closing session
Reflection
Reflection
Dinner
Dinner
Dinner
Free evening
TEDx Gudevica
Closing evening
12.05
Departure
Goodbye
Contacts:
[email protected]
Basic Information
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(http://www.joe.org/joe/1998december/a1.php)
Abstract
This article describes the role of the youth development professional in incorporating an "empowerment"
process into program planning. For purposes of this article, "empower" is defined as "promoting the self
actualization or influence" (Webster, 1998). The empowerment process is described through the use of
community examples and a step by step "How-To" section. While the examples in the article focus on youth, it
is important to note that the empowerment process is useful for adult volunteers as well.
Angela J. Huebner
Teen Coordinator: USDA/Army School-Age & Teen Project
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Falls Church, Virginia
Internet address: [email protected]
Views of Empowerment
The job of youth development professionals is to provide opportunities for young people to develop the
competencies they need to become successful contributing members of their communities (Pittman &
Wright, 1991). Empowerment can be one of the most effective strategies for providing young people
with opportunities to develop competence. Over the past decade "empowerment" has become the
buzzword in business, evaluation and youth development. Because of its wide use, the word
"empowerment" has many different meanings to people.
According to Webster (1998), empower means "(1) to give official authority or legal power to; (2) enable;
(3) to promote the self actualization or influence." The strategy proscribed by the first definition can be
quite effective provided that the party being empowered (that is, the "empoweree") already has the
competencies needed to achieve the desired outcome. The strategy does not work well when it is
plugged into a framework of youth development in which empowerment itself is being used as a
strategy for developing competencies in youth. For youth development, the third definition more more
suitable.
Contacts:
[email protected]
Too often youth workers assume that "empowering" is a synonym for relinquishing all guidance, control,
and responsibility for a project to the young people with whom they work. Typically, this approach is met
with failure on the part of the youth, frustration on the part of the youth development professional, and
more evidence that the notion of "empowerment" is a concept that looks good on paper but does not
work in the real world of youth work.
"Empowering teens" refers to a PROCESS through which adults begin to share responsibility and power
with young people. It is the same idea as teaching young people the rules of the game. Youth
development professionals are helping young people develop non-academic competencies that will help
them to participate in the game of life. Because it is a process, empowerment is something that is
achieved over time, not overnight.
Empowering teens is important because empowerment leads to competence and competence is linked
to self-esteem (Harter, 1993). Additionally, teens with increased competence can become a great
resource for 4-H because they will assume increasing responsibility within the day to day activities and in
running the overall program. In a study conducted by DiBenedetto (1992), teens identified nine factors
influencing their feelings of empowerment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Non-authoritarian adult leadership.

Being able to experience and exercise power.
Receiving education and training.
Participating in critical analysis of issues.
Experiencing an environment of safety, closeness and appreciation.
Being able to honestly express opinions and emotions.
Accepting diversity.
Developing a voice.
Being able to take action.
The Process of Empowerment

How can teens in your 4-H programs be empowered? According to Blanchard, Carlos, & Randolph (1996),
there are three major keys:
1. Share information.
Sharing information with young people about all the aspects of the program, from budgets to
organizational policies, is the first step to fostering empowerment. Such sharing ensures that teens
clearly understand the parameters within which the program
has to operate. It also conveys a message of trust.
Withholding information sends the message that adults do
not think teens can understand or that they will not act
responsibly with the information they receive. Sharing
information encourages teens to act like "owners" or
shareholders of the program.
If sharing information is difficult, the youth worker may want
to examine his or her assumptions about teens. Are teens
viewed as being able to make useful contributions? Do adults
always know what is best for teens? Several authors have
developed useful self-assessment surveys (e.g., Carter &
Betts, 1996; Lofquist, 1989)
Contacts:
[email protected]
Community highlight: A director comments that "Through a panel discussion with teens about their
Teen Center one director discovered that teens were not attending dances because they thought the
entrance fee was too high. With the intent to educate the teens on why the admission price was set at
$4.00, the director showed them his budget for dances. He patiently went through each category of
expenses with the teens and asked them what they would do differently.
The teens noticed that a large part of the budget was being spent on food. They pointed out that only
about 10% of the teens eat the food that 100% of them were paying for. They suggested spending less
on food so the admission price would be lower. The director commented that their solution was one he
would never have considered! Admission prices went down and participation went up." --Youth Center
Director
2. Create autonomy through boundaries.
Community highlight: A youth center director expressed dissatifaction with the process. "In the spirit of
empowering teens, I told the teens they were responsible for setting up the teen fashion review. I left
everything up to them. I thought they would really get into it and take it over. It turns out that
absolutely nothing got done! I was furious. Empowerment doesn't work."
This example illustrates the importance of the second step to empowerment. Many people assume that
empowering means giving teens carte blanche to set up the event/program however they want.
Actually, it means just the opposite. Creating autonomy through boundaries means teaching teens the
rules or boundaries within which they can operate (such as budgets, policies). Each event, activity, or
program must operate within certain parameters, be they financial or policy requirements. The youth
professional must outline those outer limits to the teens. Blanchard, Carlos, and Randolph (1996)
suggest thinking of the limits as the banks of a river. The banks are what give the river its direction and
momentum. Without the banks there would be no movement. The riverbed itself may be several miles
wide, but the banks still exist.
Empowerment also means teaching young people specific "plays" within the game. People have to
learn new ways of thinking and working. It does not come automatically. Let's take the fashion review
as an example. In setting up a fashion review, teens need to know all the steps involved, that is the
"plays" of the game. These could include finding a location, how much can be spent on rent, negotiating
and signing a contract, charging admission, selling tickets, contracting for lighting, getting stores to
donate clothes, getting teens to model, selecting music, insurance/liability issues, snacks, and so forth.
Often teens do not follow through because they don't know what to do.
3. Examine the role of the youth development professional.
When the actual steps in the empowerment process are
reviewed, the role of a youth development professional
begins to sound much like that of a facilitator, a very
different role for many people. Adults frequently get
caught up in making every decision for young people and
feeling responsible for making sure every event turns out
"picture perfect."
Contacts:
[email protected]
The youth development professional's role is to help

young people develop competencies and feel
empowered. Remember that empowerment, like
development, is a process. In most cases, this means
that the youth development professional is more
concerned with the process of how the event or
program was planned and executed and with what
the teens learned, than on how perfect it was.
Regardless of how it turns out, it is still belongs to
the teens.
Adopting an Empowerment Approach
Incorporating empowerment into program planning includes the following steps:
1. Meeting with interested teens.
Get some indication of how many young people are interested in the project or program. If few teens
show up, it indicate that the topic is not one of interest to them. If this is the case, it is unlikely the
project would provide opportunities for competency development. If teens are excited about the
project, proceed.
2. Showing teens the budget and policies within which they have to work.
Just as there are laws in our community, there are rules within which organizations must operate. These
are the "rules of the game." For organizations, these rules are typically embodied in policies, mission
statements, and budgetary constraints. It is critical that young people understand the rules because
they dictate the outer limits of what can be accomplished. Too often, adults make the mistake of asking
young people what they want to do without first delineating the outer boundaries of what can be done.
Rather than limiting creativity, such an approach limits the frustration young people feel when their
ideas are met with an immediate "we can't do that" response from adults.
3. Facilitating a brainstorming session about all the issues that need to be considered to make the
event a reality.
This step involves delineating the "plays" in the game. Ask the teens to list all the things that have to be
done before the program or project can happen. Give them an opportunity to list all their ideas first,
then bring up issues or tasks they might not have thought about. Keep in mind that the goal of this
process is to teach teens how to play a game they've never played before. They need to learn the
process of what goes into making an event happen. Instead of telling them what they need to do, ask
questions. For example, if the teens want to take a day field trip but haven't considered transportation,
the facilitator could say, "How are we going to get there?" Remember not to assume that the teens
should know what should be included and how to do it.
4. Facilitating a task outlining session and prioritization of tasks in a timeline.
Revisit the list generated in the previous step. Conduct another "mini" brainstorming session around
how to complete each task. For example, if one of the tasks listed was "transportation," the "how-to"
brainstorming session is used to generate specific ideas about how to get transportation (for example,
calling bus companies for estimates, seeing if parents would donate vehicle and drivers, how they
should describe why they need what they need, finding out how much it costs). The idea is to delineate
all the steps involved in completing that task. When this phase is completed, it is important to put all
those tasks on a timeline, working backwards from the targeted completion date.
Contacts:
[email protected]
5. Figuring out who wants to take responsibility for each task.

Once tasks have been outlined and the timeline is in place, ask participants to volunteer to take
responsibility for specific steps. This is the step in which teens become "hands-on" involved in the
process. This becomes their responsibility to the team.
6. Setting up several interim meetings to check on progress prior to the actual event.
Steps six and seven are the most critical in the process. It is imperative that the youth development
professional provides support and guidance for the young people as they attempt to fulfill their tasks.
Many times young people are afraid or embarrassed to admit in front of their peers that they do not
know how to do something. The youth development professional needs to check in with each young
person to see how they are doing. Give them some lead time--don't wait until the day their task is
"due."
7. Being available to offer guidance and support.
The youth development professional is the coach who needs to be available to support the young
people. Ask them what they are going to say to the bus company. Role play with them so they can
practice their communication skills. Figure out how they are going to get to the building to check out its
acoustics. Remember, do not do the job for them, but support them in their doing for themselves.
8. Revisiting the process upon completion.
Once the program or project is completed, get back together with the group to celebrate success and
to examine what the group learned as well as what they would change for the next time around. As part
of a true experiential learning process, it is important to help teens recognize the skills they gained
during the process and how those skills can be applied to other situations.
Summary
Stay focused on empowerment as a process. There may be some programs and events that really are
required to be "perfect." Youth development professionals may be surprised, however, to find that when
the supervisor, county board, parents, and community members are educated about the empowerment
process, they'll be incredibly supportive. They'll begin to see the youth development professional's role
as that as of a youth developer rather than as an event coordinator. More importantly, young people are
provided opportunities to develop the competencies they need to become successful adults.
References
Blanchard, K., Carlos, J., & Randolph, A. (1996). Empowerment takes more than a minute. San Francisco: Berrett- Koehler.
Carter, R., & Betts, S. (1996). Youth and adults as partners: A professional youth development training kit. Tucson: The University
of Arizona.
DiBenedetto, A. (1992). Youth groups: A model for empowerment. Networking Bulletin, 2(3), 19-24.
Lofquist, B. (Fall, 1989). The spectrum of attitudes: Building a theory of youth development. New Designs for Youth
Development, 5(3), 3-6.
Harter, S. (1993). Causes and consequences of low self- esteem
in children and adolescents. In R. Baumeister (Ed.) The Puzzle
of Low Self-Regard (pp. 87-116). New York: Plenum Press.
Pittman, K. & Fleming, W. E. (September 1991). A new vision
promoting youth development, Testimony, Washington, D.C.,
House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families.
Washington: Center for Youth Development and Policy
Research.
Copyright by Extension Journal, Inc. ISSN 1077-5315. Articles
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Single copies of articles may be reproduced in electronic or
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of articles in other publications, electronic sources, or
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electronic or written permission of the Journal Editorial Office,
[email protected].
Contacts:
[email protected]
SSeellff--EEffffiiccaaccyy
(http://study.com/academy/lesson/self-efficacy-definition-theory-quiz.html)
Learn what self-efficacy is and how it affects your motivation to accomplish specific tasks. Learn about
Albert Bandura's contribution to the concept of self-efficacy and how it has shaped contemporary
psychology.
The Power of Self-Efficacy
There is an old and frequently told story of a track coach who wanted to teach his team to run
faster. No matter what the coach did, no one seemed able to beat his or her best time. One
night, unbeknownst to the team, the coach moved the finish line, effectively making the track 10
feet longer. The next day, the runners clocked slower times than they usually did (because the
track was now 10 feet longer). Discouraged, because they knew they could do better, the runners
practiced and practiced until they could again achieve their old times. At this point, the coach
let them in on the secret that he had moved the finish line and informed them that they were now
running faster. The coach demonstrated that, when the runners thought they couldn't go any
faster, they didn't, and when they knew they could do better, they did. The coach proved the
power of self-efficacy.
Bandura's Self-Efficacy
Psychologist Albert Bandura defined self-efficacy as an individual's belief that he or she will be
able to accomplish a specific task. He believed that an essential component to accomplishing
something is our confidence that we can. Bandura referred to self-efficacy as the mind's selfregulatory function; it tells us when to try and when to stop. If you do not believe something is
possible, you are less likely to attempt the task and more likely to give up early if you do.
Self-efficacy drives your motivation; just as

you have different degrees of motivation
depending on the task, so also do you have
different levels of self-efficacy. You may
have high self-efficacy when it comes to
your job because you have done it for a
long time. You may have low self-efficacy in
regards to school because you struggled to
make passing grades. The level of selfefficacy you have when you begin a task
has a great deal to do with whether you will
successfully complete it.
Contacts:
[email protected]
The Four Sources of Self-Efficacy

It's a logical assumption that, if completing an activity is related to our belief that we can
accomplish the task, then increasing our self-efficacy should enable us to be more successful at
finishing the things we attempt. This begs the question, 'Where does self-efficacy come from?' If
we can understand where self-efficacy comes from, then we can take steps to increase it.
According to Bandura, self-efficacy is a constantly evolving process from childhood to old age.
Self-efficacy increases as an individual becomes more confident that he or she can accomplish a
task. Some tasks, such as academic achievement or athletic ability, tend to reinforce self-efficacy
when you are a child. Other activities, such as musical intelligence or public-speaking ability, tend
to reinforce self-efficacy as you grow into adulthood. Bandura claimed that there were four
sources for self-efficacy: mastery, modeling, persuasion, and physiological factors. To improve
your self-efficacy, it is necessary to address one or more of these sources.
Mastery Experiences
Bandura believed that the best way to develop self-efficacy toward a
particular task was through mastery of the subject. Success leads toward
additional successes, and failure can cast doubt on the outcome of future
attempts. When you succeed at something, you are more likely to attempt it
again.
Social Modeling
Knowing that a task is doable is key to successfully completing it. Most
people are unlikely to undertake activities they believe are impossible.
Bandura wrote that seeing others similar to yourself succeed reinforces the
belief that you can also accomplish the same task.
Contacts:
[email protected]
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The statistic shows the seasonally adjusted youth unemployment rate in EU member states as of
November 2014. The source defines youth unemployment as unemployment of those younger than 25
years. In November 2014, the seasonally adjusted youth unemployment rate in Spain was at 53.5 percent.
Youth unemployment rate in EU member states
Unemployment is a crucial economic factor for a
country; youth unemployment is often examined
separately because it tends to be higher than
unemployment in older age groups. It comprises
the unemployment figures of a countrys labor
force aged 15 to 24 years old (i.e. the earliest point
at which mandatory school education ends).
Typically, teenagers and those in their twenties
who are fresh out of education do not find jobs
right away, especially if the countrys economy is
experiencing difficulties, as can be seen above.
Additionally, it also tends to be higher in emerging
markets than in industrialized nations. Worldwide,
youth unemployment figures have not changed
significantly over the last decade, nor are they
expected to improve in the next few years.
Youth unemployment is most prevalent in the
Middle East and North Africa, even though these
regions report high unemployment figures
regardless (Zimbabwe and Turkmenistan are
among the countries with the highest
unemployment rates in the world, for example),
and are also highly populated areas with a rather
weak infrastructure, compared to industrialized
regions.
In the European Union and the euro area,
unemployment in general has been on the rise
since 2008, which is due to the economic crisis
which caused bankruptcy and financial trouble for
many employers, and thus led to considerable job
loss, less job offerings, and consequently, to a rise
of the unemployment rate. Older workers are struggling to find new jobs despite their experience, and
young graduates are struggling to find new jobs, because they have none. All in all, the number of
unemployed persons worldwide is projected to rise, this is not down to the economic crisis alone, but
also the industrial automation of processes previously performed by workers, as well as rising population
figures.
Contacts:
[email protected]
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(http://www.bridgingeurope.net/why-is-youth-unemployment-in-the-eu-so-high.html)
According to the latest figures published by Eurostat,
seasonally-adjusted unemployment in the EU28* was 10.6 % in
February 2014, while unemployment among young people,
aged 15 to 24, was more than double 22.9%. Although youth
unemployment rates are in general much higher than
unemployment rates for all ages, the number of jobless young
people is disturbingly large, as in February 2014, 5.392 million
young persons under the age of 25 in the EU were without a
job. High youth unemployment rates reflect the difficulties
faced by young people in finding jobs and in order to fight the
problem it is important to understand what causes some many
young people to be jobless.
Some reasons for the large number of unemployed people
under the age of 25 are country-specific, having in mind the
differences in employment policies, educational systems and
economic performance among EU Member States, however there are factors contributing to the high
youth unemployment rates which are present throughout the whole EU. One obvious reason for the
large number of unemployed young people is the recent crisis which caused economic slowdown and
tightening of the labour market. Young workers are more prone to fluctuations in the labour market,
because they usually have lower job protection- most of them are employed on a temporary basis.
Moreover, during a recession businesses tend to first stop hiring new staff and then laying off current
employees, which limits the new positions available for young people entering the labour market.
The lack of professional experience is a big obstacle that prevents young people from getting a job.
Having less job-related experience than adult workers makes youngsters more vulnerable when there
are lay-offs and decreases their chances to be employed for newly opened positions. As a result, young
people are most likely to be the last to be employed and in the same time the first to be laid off. This
makes the transition from school to the labour market almost impossible.
Moreover, there is a growing mismatch between the skills that young people have and the positions
that are offered on the job market. The low quality of education and the continuous expansion of the
skill pool required for a job, leaves young people underqualified and without any work offerings. On the
other hand, it is often the case that young people with higher education find it hard to find positions that
suit their qualifications and skills, accepting work for which they are overqualified. The skill mismatch
affects the job satisfactions and wages of workers and in the same time distresses the productivity of
firms, while the qualification mismatch prevents countries from realizing the full potential of their labour
force.
In order to cope with the problem of high youth unemployment the EU has already adopted initiatives
like the Youth Guarantee and the Youth Employment Initiative which have for a goal to provide funding
and encourage Member States to take action by making it easier for young people to find jobs and
provide them with vocational training. Thus, making young people more competitive in the labour market
and improving their chances of finding a job. Moreover, programmes such as Erasmus +, "Your first
EURES Job", the European Alliance for Apprenticeships and the Quality Framework for Traineeships
provide young adults with the opportunity to receive vocational training and to gain practical work
experience at home or abroad. The EU policy makers should continue to search for solutions for the high
youth unemployment. Young people are the future of Europe and they should be able to develop
professionally and be an active part of Europes workforce.
Contacts:
[email protected]
* The EU28 includes Belgium (BE), Bulgaria (BG), the Czech Republic (CZ), Denmark (DK), Germany (DE), Estonia (EE), Ireland (IE), Greece (EL), Spain (ES), France (FR),
Croatia (HR), Italy (IT), Cyprus (CY), Latvia (LV), Lithuania (LT), Luxembourg (LU), Hungary (HU), Malta (MT), the Netherlands (NL), Austria (AT), Poland (PL), Portugal
(PT), Romania (RO), Slovenia (SI), Slovakia (SK), Finland (FI), Sweden (SE) and the United Kingdom (UK).
Sources
European Council (2013). EU leaders agree measures to fight youth unemployment,28.06.2013 http://www.europeancouncil.europa.eu/home-page/highlights/eu-leaders-agree-measures-to-fight-youth-unemployment?lang=en
UNRIC. Youth: the hardest hit by the global financial crisis. accessed April 5, 2014http://www.unric.org/en/youthunemployment/27414-youth-the-hardest-hit-by-the-global-financial-crisis
ILO (2013).Global Employment Trends for Youth 2013: A generation at risk. International Labour Office Geneva: ILO, 2013
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/documents/publication/wcms_212423.pdf
Eurostat. Unemployment statistics. accessed April 5, 2014
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics#Youth_unemployment_trends
Dennis Grlich, IgnatStepanok, and Fares Al-Hussami (2013).Youth Unemployment in Europe and the World: Causes,
Consequences and Solutions. January 2013, Kiel Policy Brief No.59, Kiel Institute for the World Economy https://www.ifwkiel.de/wirtschaftspolitik/politikberatung/kiel-policy-brief/kpb-2013/KPB_59.pdf
Eurostat (2014). February 2014: Euro area unemployment rate at 11.9% EU28 at 10.6%. 01.04.2014, Eurostat Commission STAT/14/52 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STAT-14-52_en.htm
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(http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1036)
The EU is working to reduce youth unemployment and to
increase the youth employment rate in line with the wider EU
target of achieving a 75% employment rate for the workingage population (20-64 years).
Factsheet: Addressing youth unemployment in the EU
Key actions
Youth Employment Package (2012) is the follow-up to the
actions on youth laid out in the wider Employment
Package and includes:
o A proposal to EU countries to establish a Youth
Guarantee adopted by the Council in April 2013
o A social partner consultation on a quality framework
for traineeships, followed by a Commission proposal for a Council Recommendation in December
2013 adopted by the Council in March 2014
o The European Alliance for Apprenticeships and ways to reduce obstacles to mobility for young
people.
Youth Employment Initiative (2013) reinforces and accelerates measures outlined in the Youth
Employment Package. It aims to support particularly young people not in education, employment or
training in regions with a youth unemployment rate above 25%.
Communication: Working together for Europe's young people A call to action on youth
unemployment (2013) to accelerate the implementation of the Youth Guarantee and the investment
in young people, and develop EU-level tools to help EU countries and firms recruit young people.
Youth on the Move is a comprehensive package of policy initiatives on education and employment for
young people in Europe
o Youth Opportunities Initiative (2011) includes actions to drive down youth unemployment
o Your first EURES Job aims to help young people to fill job vacancies throughout the EU.
EU Skills Panorama is a EU-wide tool gathering information on skills needs, forecasting and
developments in the labour market.
Measures in the field of education and culture
Contacts:
[email protected]
Why?
Over 5 million young people (under 25) were unemployed in the EU-28 area in the second quarter of
2014.
This represents an unemployment rate of 21.7% (23.2% in the euro area). This is more than twice as
high as the adult unemployment rate (9.0%).
7.5 million young Europeans between 15 and 24 are neither in employment, nor in education or
training (NEETs).
12% of the 18-24 year old population are early school leavers.
In the last four years, the overall employment rates for young people fell three times as much as
for adults.
The gap between the countries with the highest and the lowest jobless rates for young people is
extremely high. There is a gap of nearly 50 percentage points between the EU country with the
lowest rate of youth unemployment (Germany at 7.8% in July 2014) and with the EU country with the
highest rate, Spain (53.8% in July 2014). Spain is followed by Greece (53.1% in May 2014), Italy
(42.9%), Croatia (41.5%), Portugal (35.5%) and Cyprus (35.1% in June 2014).
There are significant skills mismatches on Europe's labour market.
Despite the crisis, there are over 2 million unfilled vacancies in the EU.
Outcomes
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This is a list of short activities whit which participants in Discover, Dream and Do 2 empowered their
colleagues during the session Passion in Action:
Meaning of life (Iva Bogdanova - Bulgaria)

Objectives:
To stimulate the participants to think about the meaning of life (made by mine point of view)
Description:
Participants are asked to answer and reflect on the questions:
What comes to your mind when you think about an Eternity?
If you are at a friend or relatives house for dinner and you find a hair in your salad, what would you
do/think?
Talk about a mistake that youve made more than once sometime in your life, that you regret.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be?
If you could ask God one question right now, what would it be?
Improvisation (Maria-Alexandra Juca - Romania)

Objective:
Make people reflect about themselves
Increase spontaneity and creativity
Description:
The whole group is asked to stop talking and start walking around randomly, in a Brownian movement,
thinking about themselves, about their inner power, their strength, and their passions. Then they are
asked to stop three times for several seconds, after which they resume their walking:
The first stop is done asking everyone to imagine they are a tree, with deep roots in the ground, so
that nothing and no one can take them down.
Contacts:
[email protected]
The second stop is tapping in their inner instinct and imagines they are an animal and act it out
(expressing it using their body language and facial expressions).
The third stop is expressing an emotion/ a mood, that can be either what they feel in that moment or
their most dominant emotion/ mood in their life.
The next step is to form a circle and create changing images. The first images they are suggested to start
with is that of two people shaking hands, then one person leaves the image and another one is invited to
join in and change the meaning of the first image created. All the time, with every image created, the
people forming the surrounding circle are invited to express what the image means to them, or to find a
possible interpretation to what they see.
Reading faces (Petya Nikolova Bulgaria)

Objective:
Reading/trying to hide emotions
Description:
One volunteer stands in the circle. The others put their hands behind theirs neighbors backs. The
facilitator puts a ball/an apple/ a banana or something else into someones hand. The person in the
middle then tries to read people's faces and guess who is got the object. The object moves from one
person to another until the person in the middle guesses and then switches place with that one.
7 min's to evacuate (Andrzej Kasperkiewicz Poland)

Objective:
To show my passion and to interest somebody about first aid.
Description:
In introduction we discuss about evacuation from dangerous place.
Next the trainer presents the first evacuation style - Fireman Style and participants practicing this in
pairs. After 2 minutes presentation of Woman Style and next two minutes of practicing. Important make sure that participants are safety while practicing.
Summarizing knowledge and answering questions.
Important - please don't use this workshop if you don't have enough knowledge and skills to lead the
first aid training.
The film (Fotini Michael Cyprus)

Objective:
To encourage each other to have fun.
Description:
There were 6 people divided in pairs. Then they had to choose who is going to be the actor and who is
going to be the director. The director had to help the actor to make his best depending on the sentences
I read them.
Example: A child who cries and wants his mother.
When they were ready director had to start shooting. Then they changed roles.
About friendship (Denisa Sandru Romania)

I decided to talk about what friendship means for me. I talked about the things that should exist in a
friendship. I spoke about things you should do a good friend and the feelings we should have in a
friendship. I pointed out the behavior that should have in order to be a good friend. I felt emotional and
my passion in action was really touched by speech.
Contacts:
[email protected]
15 Things (Iulia-Alexandra Cuc- Romania)

Objective:
Increasing self-esteem, empowering and giving psychological wellness.
Description:
A few days before getting into 3D2, I read an article about 15 things that we shouldnt explain to anyone
ever, although we feel the need to do it because of outside pressure. It was a very interesting article that
I thought I should share with the group because it was about being strong, independent, and selfsufficient. I presented the 15 points, some of them being: you dont have to explain to anyone why
sometimes you feel the need to be lonely, you dont have to explain your political or religious beliefs or
you dont have to explain your choices regarding marriage or relationships. It was an open discussion so
anyone who felt the need to add something, contradict or agree, could freely express their opinion.
Yoga session breathing technique (Marcela Rybov Czech Republic)

Objective:
Yoga brings peace, calmness and relaxation to our lives. It is possible to use the breathing technique
anytime and anywhere so we can stop for a while during busy days.
Description:
short explanation of right posture of our body which is important anytime
showing how to breath by the nose and using the part of the neck
close the eyes and imagine how the breath is going through the body, it makes the breath deeper and
longer
Let's salsa (Iulia Manda Romania)

Objective:
Develop new skills, energize, and release stress.
Description:
Arrange people in lines and they should follow your steps. You are staying with the back, in front of them
and explain the basic salsa steps 1 2 3 break 5 6 7 (1 right foot back, 2 - change weight from right foot to
left, 3 - come back to the initial position, normal standing position, having the weight on the right foot; 5
start with left foot in front, 6 change weight from left to right and 7 go back to initial position)
After checking if people understood the basic steps, explain them the spinning and ask them to repeat
after you including the basic steps. So, is basic steps 1 2 3, 5 6 7, 1 2 spin, basic steps.
Go between the lines and check and everyone understood right the steps and if not show them again
individually and explain them again the steps.
As a final move show them how can they work in pairs and make a little choreography using just these 2
basic steps.
It works better if you have a partner to show them the both sides, of a boy and a girl.
Journey through your Heart (Dessy Baneva - Bulgaria)

10 minutes guided meditation-visualization - to open or close a session or module related to self
discovery, values, beliefs, raising awareness for inner strengths, confidence
Effects and influence:
allows participants feel more connected to their true self, dreams and desires
strengthens the feeling of inner guidance, wisdom and resourcefulness
enlivens the sense for inner beauty, self love and self belief
Contacts:
[email protected]
Notes:
choose time and space/environment to be appropriate for relaxation (use decoration, candles)
use nice, gentle instrumental music of your own choice as background (no text, only melody)
speak slowly, gently and clearly when reading or guiding
Sit down comfortably in the position that will allow you to spend the next 7-8
minutes without moving. Breath in deeply and when breathing out - close your eyes.
Continue breathing in and out slowly and deeply to release all discomfort or tension
in the body. Move your attention to the space of the closed eyes. what is it like is
there anything that appears or feels likenow look at this space as if it is a big screen
and project there a very special wish or dream that you have and want it to come
truelet your imagination draw and show your wish on this screenyou see there
something you like deeply from your heart
Now move your awareness to your chest. Imagine there a spiral of shining golden light. It is circling in
your chest and at this moment it gathers right around your heart and turns into a beautiful illuminated
rose flower. Look at this rose it is very beautifulwhat is the color look at it gently and
lovinglysmile at itsmell its aroma
Remember a very nice and happy event or moment from your lifelook what happens with the rose
when you feel joyful now express your own words of love, gratitude and appreciation to the rose
(pause for 10-15 sec) and feel the response answer of the rose (pause for 10 sec)
Your heart rose is a divine living being of love. See and feel how its getting bigger and even more
beautiful when you communicate with it at this moment call your wish or dream again (pause for a
few seconds)
Now imagine you start a magical journey through the blossom leaves of the rose. You dive into the rose
and in a while you arrive, you see an amazing landscape in front of youit might be in the universe,
outer space, outside in the natureor anywhere ...whatever the placejust be there and explore it
whats the place like how it makes you feel and what you want to do thereis there anybody else
this place is your spiritual home take your time at this special place and wander around without my
voice for a while (allow 40-60 sec)
Right where you are now feel, see or listen for the special message that comes to you to guide you
when you get italso send a message back from you to the place
Now you take the journey back through the heart rose leaves take a look at the rose and thank for the
walk into the heart. Remember our space here and the people in the roomslowly start moving or
stretching your body and when you are ready open your eyes
Contacts:
[email protected]
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During the training on the 5-th day the participants had the chance to develop and deliver empowering
workshops for local youth on the topic of personal development and employability. Divided in 4 groups,
participants prepared 90 minutes. Here are descriptions of the workshops:
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Intercultural Empowerment
(Maria-Alexandra Juca, Iulia Manda, Antonn Teichmann, Iwona Samolak, Marilena Poli)
Aim:
to empower
to motivate
to develop language, motivational and personal skills
Activities:
Names, countries, hobbies

Objective:
To introduce ourselves and get to know each other.
Description:
All stand in a circle. We present our countries, names and hobbies and ask the Bulgarian participants to
say their names and hobbies.
Energy level
Ask the participants to measure their energy level on a scale from low to high on their bodies. The same
activity will be performed at the end of the workshop as well.
Name tags
Everybody makes their name tags, using a tape and a marker. Everyone writes their name on the tape
and afterwards puts it on a jacket, t-shirt so it is well visible.
Finding info about the others

Objective:
To get to know each other better
Description:
Everyone receives a pen, and a piece of paper with a question on it. There are given 45 seconds. In which
they need to find out the answer for as many people in the group as possible, by asking and them writing
Contacts:
[email protected]
the others name and answer on a sheet of paper. After time is up, hey form a circle and use the answers
to describe one person at a time. The one spoken about cannot talk, he or she just listens. More than the
answer to the simple question, the others should also find possible interpretation of it so by the end,
they all know more about each other.
A piece of cloth - icebreaker

Objective:
To energize and relax the participant
Description:
Participants are divided into two teams and asked to stand in two rows opposite each other, with the
trainer in the middle. Each member of each team is given a random number and when the trainer calls a
number, holding the piece of cloth, immediately, from both groups the participants have to run for the
cloth. The person, who manages to get the cloth first, has to get back to his row without being touched
by the second player. If he manages, his team gets a point. If he is so much as touched, the catchers team
gets a point. Winner is the team with more points.
Material: a piece of cloth
Basic words in different languages

Objective:
To learn basic words from languages of the participants and trainers.
Description:
Knowledge about the words Hello and Thank you in different languages. Greek, Romanian, Czech, Polish,
Bulgarian.
Participants repeated this world and added translated words in Bulgarian.
Material: papers with all the words in the languages, to be immediately put on a flipchart when
introduced.
Activity on general intercultural awareness

Objective:
To increase tolerance and acceptance and raise awareness of the fact that even groups of similar people
(e.g. same nationality and age) can have very different ideas and points of views.
Description:
Four words are introduced: Different, Weird, Original, Normal. They are written on a piece of paper and
put in different corners of the room. Then, the trainer reads a statement and participants decide
whether they find such statement / person saying such a statement different, weird, original or normal.
They go to specific corner of the room to demonstrate their decision. Discussion follows, where the
trainer asks one or two persons from each group for the reasons they decided this way. Then, next
statement is said and the whole thing is repeated. 3 to 5 statements should be played.
Suggested statements: My father works in Facebook; I dont have Facebook account; I dont have any cell
phone; I am a vegan; I have a Gipsy friend; Etc.
At the end, the objective of the game can be discussed with the participants.
Material: 4 papers with the answers, prepared statements
Contacts:
[email protected]
The Rope game

Objective:
Developing team work. Working on motivation and empowerment. Discovering the informal leaders of
the group. Giving an energy boost to the group.
Description:
Everyone stands in a circle, holding hands. The participants are given two ropes. We ask the participants
to try to pass the rope to another part of the circle, without talking and without leaving hands. We
measure the time needed for fulfilling their task.
Afterwards, we ask the participants to guess the time they needed. Then they are said the real time and
asked, if they can do it faster. Answer: of course we can! The participants are given 30 seconds to discuss
the strategy. We ask them to think about new time they want to achieve and let them try again.
If the participants release the hands, or talk, they have to start from the beginning.
The whole cycle is repeated three times. Better and better time should be achieved.
Hypnosis
Objective:
A session focusing on the empowerment, relaxation and motivation of the participants.
Description:
Participants sit in a circle. Background music is played. A trainer starts to talk in a low, relaxing voice:
Please, close your eyes. Welcome on a journey. Ignore all the sounds around you except of my voice. The
sounds you hear make you relax. Focus on your breath. How smoothly it goes in and out. Take a deep
breathing and then exhale. Another deep breath in and out. Try to continue. Focus on your breath and relax.
Take a deep breath in. Nothing matters now. No worries, no thoughts, relax. Go deeper and deeper in the
hypnosis. Ill count from ten to one and each number I say, you sink deeper and deeper. 10, , 7: relax, let
go. 5 .. 2: you are almost there. Now, you are in a beautiful valley. The sun is warm. And you are comfortable.
And relax as never before. There are flowers with strong colors. Yellow, purple, red and blue. In walk feeling
of happiness and satisfaction. Take a moment to realize, the value of this moment. How important your life
at this very moment is. You are unique and deeply relaxed. Now imagine that you are in front of a white huge
rock. Take a moment to think of yourself. In your hands, there Is a pen. Go on now. Write in the rock positive
things about yourself. Write talented, patient, helpful, happy, confident, energetic, radiant, and vibrant if
you want. Look at the words you wrote there. This is who you are now. This moment is the one that changes
your life forever. Now is the time to come back slowly. You are doing better than before, enjoying everything
you do. Now you are in control of your thoughts and actions. The thoughts are leaving your mind, influence
all your tomorrows. Choose them carefully. How you feel influenced this all the people around you? Focus in
positive thoughts. Now, focus on your breath and relax as I count form 10 to 1. Youll come back refreshed,
relaxed and deeply happy. 10 .. 1. Shake your hands, open your eyes, welcome back.
Afterwards, a reflection is performed.
Personal reflection
Objective:
To do personal reflection about participants competences, skills, and strengths. To increase participants
motivation and self-assessment.
Contacts:
[email protected]
Description:
The first step is about participants competences. They have to write ten competences they feel they are
the best in. The second step is to order the competences from 1 to 10, from most to least important. The
third step is reflection about the top three competences.
At the end, participants are asked to use these three competences in next activities.
Materials: papers, pens, background music.
A commercial
Objective:
To develop creativity, forming a commercial from a given object by working in a team.
Description:
The participants are divided into groups and asked to create a commercial for a given object (that can
also be an object of their choice) encouraged to use their skills and competences they feel suitable for
this activity. There are given ten minutes to prepare the commercial, and then up to 2 minutes to present
it. They are encouraged to be as convincing as possible, expressing the possible uses of the object. In the
end, the jury will deliberate and decide the winning group.
Reflection
Objectives:
Make people reflect on the workshop and let people process the skills and information they have
learned.
Description:
Standard reflection following the Kolbs cycle, reflecting the whole workshop.
We made papers with five questions, to show them to the participants, one by one. The participants were
asked to write down the answers (in English or mother language) just for themselves and to share only if
they feel like sharing.
Suggested questions:
How do you feel?
How was your engagement in the workshop?
What have you learned?
How can you use this experience in future?
What are you proud of?
Feedback
The participants were given blank papers and asked to think of feedback for us, positive or negatives and
to anonymously put it to given place.
The pizza energizer

Objective:
To energize participants and let them leave the workshop in a good and energized mood.
Description:
Everyone stands in a circle, and turns right. Everyone gives the person in front of them a massage based
on instructions of making a pizza. (e.g. put cheese one massage style, to put olives another massage
style).
Contacts:
[email protected]
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(Georgiana Bighescu, Agnieszka Waszak, Patrik Zielinski, Javier Esteban Cabanillas, Desislava Baneva)
Aim:
Empower, motivate and develop competences.
Objectives:
To highlight the importance of cooperative attitude.
To raise understanding of the influence of
communication challenges in the process of
interdependency.
To raise awareness about specific roles and
responsibilities for the achievement of a common goal.
To promote creativity as a way to include team
members talents in achieving the goal
Design Structure
Small introduction about the name of the participants.
Name games and ice breakers.
Activities related with cooperation and communication.
Reflection process.
Activities related with empower the creativity.
Empowering speeches for the participants
Final reflection
Activities:
Names
Small introduction about the name of the participants.
The shooter
The participants are standing in a circle. One person, the shooter, is in the middle and shoots one of the
participants. This one is falling down and, in that moment, the people on the sides shoot one each
other, saying their names. The last one saying the name of the partner is dead and should leave the
circle.
Basket fruit
The participants are standing in a circle and are saying their names. The facilitator is standing in the
middle of the circle and explaining the development of the game. When he points one person, he will say
the name of a fruit ( orange- saying the name of the partner who is in right; lemon- saying the name of
the partner who is in left; apple- saying their own name and tutti frutti- changing their places). If
someone is doing a mistake, should leave the circle.
The rope
All the participants are standing in a circle and must to hold one big rope in their hands. The facilitator is
saying: ,, Create a.... ( square, circle, house, chair, letters, numbers, other more complicate things) and
the participants must to create these shapes, without leaving the rope and respecting the time limit. If
anyone let the rope from their hands, they must to start again. After that, the participants are sharing
their impression, what they could improve and what they are satisfied with.
Contacts:
[email protected]
The bridge
Preparation:
We divide the big group in two teams and we give them written instructions and a visual map of the
communication process flow. We explain the rules and give them 5' to decide the roles. To decide the
place for a meeting point and two more working places for each team. From the working place, the
teams should not be able to see each other or the meeting point. Give each team different materials to
achieve the goal.
Teams Instructions:
You are the citizens of a town and you need to build a bridge to connect your town with the neighboring
town. You should build half and the neighbors will build the other half. Both parts of the bridge should
connect and be as similar as possible. The first step is to choose the roles of the team members in the
process. For each team you will need 1 major, 1 messenger and the rest will be builders. The majors can
communicate between them and they will be able to transmit instructions to the messengers. The
messengers will be the join between the majors and the builders and transmit the instructions. The
communication between the majors and the builders is not allowed.
Final phase:
We join the two groups to check the results. According to the results we establish a process of reflection
on the different aspects that we wanted emphasize about the activity. Teamwork, communication, roles,
capacity to follow instructions, etc
Reflection
The reflection process is realized at first, in those two groups, with a set of helpful questions. (How did
you feel?, With what are you satisfied?, What were your strengths?, What could you do better, could
improve?). The participants are answering to those questions, discussing in their groups. After that, those
two groups are coming together and there is taken place a big reflection, around the same questions.
The participants can share their other thoughts.
Story cubes
The participants are standing all together and they receive a cube with six images. They have a minute
and a half to choose an image and create a little story with that image. After that, the facilitator is
writing down all the stories, while they are sharing their stories. So, after sharing stories, facilitator is
creating a story with all those little stories. And he is sharing the story and asking the participants for
impressions, feelings.
Empowerment speech
Speeches from the facilitators to empower them highlighting their strengths
Evaluation
Each participant have to define the session in 2 words.
Contacts:
[email protected]
W
Woor
rkksshhoop
p 33
Teambuilding Be together as one
(Iva Bogdanova, Marcela Rybova, Piotr Kawa, Eliza Zieja and Iulia Alexandra Cuc)
Order of activities:
Introduction
Name game
Energizer
Causes and solutions
Magnificent stick
Chocolate game
Win, lose or draw
Reflection
Feedback
Activities:
Introduction:
Objective:
Info about the project, introduce the participants
Description:
Presenting the project, everybody says the name, age and from which country or city is (can be included
some words about their interests and what they do).
Name game:
Objective:
To learn the names of the participants
Description:
In circle, one by one, everybody says their name and does a movement, the next person has to repeat the
name and the movement to everyone who has already passed and to tell their name and make their
movement. The last person has to say all the names and make all the movements.
Energizer:
Objective:
Search together for a strategy which will help them for reaching the goal
Description:
In circle people throw a ball to each other and they have to pass it 20 times without dropping it no
verbal communication. After they reach this goal, they have the same task, but with passing 30 times and
with 2 balls, if they cant do it they can have 20 seconds to discuss how they can reach the goal (to
improve and come up with a strategy on how to succeed). The third level is with 3 balls and they have to
pass it 40 times without dropping it. (It can be modeled depending on how many people are parts of it.)
Contacts:
[email protected]
Causes and solutions topic The problems of the educational system

Objective:
To create presentation as a team, find solutions for the
problems which they see, to learn to discuss openly about a
specific topic and encourage them to talk about their ideas,
problems, feelings, they will do some public speaking etc.
Description:
Discuss the problems of education in participants countries.
Write them on a paper. Divide the participants into 2 groups.
First group has time to think about the causes of the problems
we have and the second group is preparing solutions for these
problems. Each of the groups receives a big piece of paper and
pens, crayons, and markers. They have 15 minutes to do it. The
participants of each group can present their ideas. After that, there is an open discussion about their
opinions and if somebody can add something on the subjects.
Magnificent stick
Objective:
Cooperating, listening in order to find a way of achieving the goal, learn how to respect rules.
Description:
Prepare a light stick from plastic or paper around 2m long. They have to make two lines with only the
point fingers straight ahead. Place the paper stick on the top of the line of fingers. The goal is that they
manage to move down the stick by keeping the fingers touched to it all the time. It could be nice if you
try to think about a short story witch could be connected to the meaning of the stick (making connection
between two cities)
Chocolate game
Objective:
To give positive messages to someone else to empower the
people around
Description:
After learning the Chocolate code, the participants had to write
a positive message which after that was given to another
participant randomly. After everyone receives their message,
they have to share it with the rest.
Win, lose or draw

Objectives:
To develop creativity, leadership, flexibility, teamwork and visualization
Description:
Materials Needed You need paper, pen, and a flipchart/whiteboard. Think of items that fit into certain
categories. These can be generic or specific to the team. For example, generic categories include food
items, places of interest, idioms. Team-specific categories include school and students for teachers. Split
the group into 2 teams.
Description: Each team takes turns to play. The team that is playing will nominate an artist, who will draw
a list of items to draw. The only hint to his teammates will be the category name. They then have 1-3
minutes to draw the items on that list, without writing nor speaking. Switch around to another team
after the time limit. Swap artists with each round, and repeat for 4-5 rounds.
Collate the final results to find the winning team.
Contacts:
[email protected]
Reflection
Objective:
Openly share feelings, opinions; think about the education in their country
Description:
After all the activities, the participants were asked a series of questions regarding what happened. The
questions were about enjoying the workshop, what they think about kind of education, if they think they
have learned something new in the workshop.
Feedback
Objective:
Improve the activities of the workshop and get new ideas. The participants could give their opinions
freely
Description:
The participants had the chance to write their opinions about the workshop, the positive and negative
sides, what should be improved. They were each given a piece of paper and the answers were
anonymous.
W
Woor
rkksshhoop
p4
4
PossiblYOUth
(Kateina Slab, Andrzej Kasperkiewicz, Petya Nikolova, Fotini Michael, Denisa Camelia Sandru)
Aim:
To increase a possibilities of youth
Preparation & materials:
Flipcharts, pens/markers, post it in different colours,
slack line, two trees, scarf or blindfold, some knowledge
about Youth Exchange KA1 Erasmus +
Activities:
Name game to know each other:

We started with an energizing exercise. In this exercise we learn four new ways of greeting people. First
is called FISHERMAN. By practicing this greeting you slap each other inner arm. The second one is named
WOOD CUTTER. Here every pair will move its hand back and forward. CRAZY WOMAN greeting is the
funniest. You have to raise your hands and scream out. Finally, COOL GUYS greeting. It consists in
shaking hand with your partner, approach shoulders and rise one of your foot. There are some rules:
for every greeting you have to change the person.
when we randomly repeat all these greetings, each person has to run to the person that first did the
greeting.
Contacts:
[email protected]
Wool ball sharing

For this game we used a wool ball. We started throwing the ball by saying our names and in the same
time we unrolled the ball holding it - we create a web between us. When we finished saying our names,
we started from the person, who has the ball to share one thing that each of us likes to do. In all this time
we rolled the wool ball back.
So, at the end everybody knew each other names and a passion.
Slack line walk

Each participant has to walk on a slack-line, while he/she is blindfolded. The others form 2 lines beside
the slack-line and support the blind person with their hands up.
Hobbies
There is a sun on a paper with the word "hobbies" inside and each student has to write their hobbies on a
paper stick and post it to the paper. Then we divided their hobbies to groups (for example reading book
and writing in the same group.) Later they created two groups (it can be more, depends on the amount
of participants) with similar hobbies.
Writing project session

The aim of both groups is to write down an international youth exchange proposal. First you need to
write on the flipchart sheet basic information about Youth Exchange under Erasmus + Programme and
shortly explain it for the group (You could don't told them that this is possible to do, and getting
founding from European Union - you can do it as a surprise on the end of activity). After short description
you give them a flipchart to fill. They need to think about few things and next write it down in correct
gaps. For example: Title of the project, Duration, Number of participants, Participated countries, Aim and
objectives, Short schedule for exchange, Special needs, Costs of project. For this group work you can give
them 20-30 minutes. Please notice to been there with them to motivate and support participants. After
work they need to present what they draw, and what was the idea of the project. The main thing is to
show them that most of these projects are possible to do in Erasmus plus Programme. You can say
something more about this programme and propose them a help in writing their own project in the
future.
Reflection session
They were writing their answers on a paper and if they wanted they could say it out loud to others.
We asked these questions:
Why were we doing this?
How was it?
What have you learned?
How can you use this experience in future?
Do you think it is possible to create your own project?
Contacts:
[email protected]
Contacts:
[email protected]
You can't leave footprints in the sands of time if you're sitting on your butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
Jo Ryan
R
REEC
COOM
MM
MEEN
NDDAATTIIOON
NSS::
The child-driven education
http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_educa
tion
I got 99 problems... palsy is just one

http://www.ted.com/talks/maysoon_zayid_i_got_99_proble
ms_palsy_is_just_one
The key to success? Grit

http://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_the_key_to_
success_grit
The happy secret to better work

http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret
_to_better_work#t-96586
Contacts:
[email protected]
This Empowerment Guide is created by:
Ognian Gadularov compiler, design and editing;

The publication is NOT
FOR COMMERCIAL USE
Use it
FOR FREE
Distribute it
FOR FREE
Promote it
FOR FREE
Make the world better

FOR FREE
Thanks to all the participants, support persons and trainers team in Discover, Dream and Do 2 for all
the work they did, which leaded to creation of this Guide. Thanks to all the people who helped me and
empowered me to compile this Guide.
Ognian Gadularov
You can contact me for information, feedback and comments on
[email protected]
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

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2

International training course

NC Future Now 2006

Youth for exchange and understanding Cyprus;

Ognian Gadoularov (BULGARIA) Youth worker and Trainer from Bulgaria..

Re-uniting the team

Get to know each

Nature - a tool for

Workshops with local

Tools for competency

Workshops with local

Non-authoritarian adult leadership.

The Process of Empowerment

The youth development professional's role is to help

5. Figuring out who wants to take responsibility for each task.

Self-efficacy drives your motivation; just as

The Four Sources of Self-Efficacy

Meaning of life (Iva Bogdanova - Bulgaria)

Improvisation (Maria-Alexandra Juca - Romania)

Reading faces (Petya Nikolova Bulgaria)

7 min's to evacuate (Andrzej Kasperkiewicz Poland)

The film (Fotini Michael Cyprus)

About friendship (Denisa Sandru Romania)

15 Things (Iulia-Alexandra Cuc- Romania)

Yoga session breathing technique (Marcela Rybov Czech Republic)

Let's salsa (Iulia Manda Romania)

Journey through your Heart (Dessy Baneva - Bulgaria)

Names, countries, hobbies

Finding info about the others

A piece of cloth - icebreaker

Basic words in different languages

Activity on general intercultural awareness

The Rope game

The pizza energizer

Causes and solutions topic The problems of the educational system

Win, lose or draw

Name game to know each other:

Wool ball sharing

Slack line walk

Writing project session

I got 99 problems... palsy is just one

The key to success? Grit

The happy secret to better work

This Empowerment Guide is created by:

Ognian Gadularov compiler, design and editing;

FOR COMMERCIAL USE

Make the world better

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