On January 21, 2025, the vibrant city of Buzău, Romania, hosted the Kick-Off Meeting for the EDI-FORJUV Project (KA220-YOU-C97648EB). This Erasmus+ initiative is dedicated to equipping youth workers and vulnerable young people across Europe with essential digital skills, fostering social inclusion and employability. Under the leadership of INNETICA, the project brings together five partners from Spain, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Italy.
Setting the Stage for Impact
The meeting began with warm welcoming remarks from the hosting partner, Asociatia Pro Democratia Club Buzau, alongside the project coordinator, INNETICA. Partners introduced their organizations, highlighting their shared commitment to youth development and inclusion. There were two representatives from each organization, ensuring diverse perspectives and expertise were brought to the discussions. Conversations centered on the project's key objectives: improving digital competencies for youth workers, empowering vulnerable youth, and enhancing organizational capacity for delivering digital mentoring services.
Work Package Insights
WP1: Project Management Led by INNETICA, this work package focuses on ensuring smooth project execution. Activities include organizing five transnational project meetings (TPMs), setting up regular online check-ins, managing administrative and financial tasks, and overseeing quality assurance and sustainability planning.
WP2: Selection of Workers and Curriculum DevelopmentCo-led by Orizzonti Social Cooperative Society and Asociatia Pro Democratia Club Buzau, WP2 involves:
Selecting 25 youth workers (five per partner country) and 100 vulnerable young people (20 per partner country) through a transparent and equitable process.
Developing a Curriculum and a Course Manual, both translated into partner languages, to train youth workers and address the specific needs of vulnerable youth. The curriculum integrates topics like AI, IoT, digital citizenship, and multimedia content creation.
WP3: Handbook for Vulnerable Youth and Digital Tutoring ToolsLed by Interactive Bulgaria Foundation, this work package focuses on developing resources to empower youth workers and vulnerable young people:
Handbook for Vulnerable Youth: A comprehensive educational guide with six modules covering topics such as self-awareness, foundational digital skills, safe internet navigation, critical thinking, and digital citizenship. The handbook will be inclusive, accessible, and available in multiple languages (English, Bulgarian, Spanish, Greek, and Romanian).
Digital Tutoring Tools: A Web Application for Self-Assessment and Mentoring, designed to support young people’s learning and growth through interactive digital features.
Tutor Training Course: A six-day program for 25 youth workers (five from each partner country) to equip them with skills in digital mentoring and practical techniques for engaging with vulnerable youth.
WP4: Testing Phase and Information CampaignThis work package is designed to evaluate and refine the project outputs while promoting their impact:
Testing Phase: A three-month pilot program to assess the curriculum and digital tools developed in WP2 and WP3. Participants will include vulnerable youth and youth workers from all partner countries. Comprehensive feedback will be collected through surveys and focus groups to guide improvements.
Final Adjustments: Updates to the curriculum and digital tools will address usability challenges and ensure relevance to the needs of the target groups.
Information Campaign: A dissemination strategy to highlight the project’s achievements, including webinars, local events, and targeted outreach through digital platforms.
Evaluation Report: A detailed document summarizing feedback, insights, and lessons learned during the testing phase, ensuring the tools and curriculum meet the highest standards.
Beyond the Kick-Off Meeting
The meeting concluded with a to-do list for the next four months, including surveys for participant selection, curriculum design workshops, and preparations for the pilot testing phase. Attendees left energized, ready to tackle the challenges ahead and fulfill the project's ambitious goals.
A Vision for the Future
The EDI-FORJUV project is set to leave a lasting impact by:
Empowering 25 youth workers with advanced digital mentoring skills.
Equipping 100 vulnerable young people with digital tools to access education and employment opportunities.
Creating sustainable frameworks for digital inclusion across Europe.
Stay tuned for updates as the EDI-FORJUV journey unfolds, shaping a future where no one is left behind in the digital age.
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