The final conference (multiplier event) of the Erasmus+ project “Mobile Program for Youth Learners” (MoPYL) will take place on January 27 in Limbaži. Its purpose is to introduce specialists involved in work with young people, educators and other interested parties to the non-formal education program for the development of youth leadership created as a result of the project, to share experience in the implementation of Erasmus+ program projects, as well as to encourage them to try their hand at writing projects or get involved in them and gain valuable experience.
Since the beginning of the past year, Krimulda Evangelical Lutheran Congregtion in cooperation with St. Gabriel’s School (Spain) and the Romanian Scout Association, implements the Erasmus+ program project “Mobile Program for Youth Learners” (MoPYL). The project developed a non-formal education training program with 39 lesson plans for developing young people’s leadership skills, motivation, responsibility and sense of belonging. The learning plans of the project are available on this website of the project in Latvian and English, in the near future also in the native languages of the partners – Romanian and Spanish. The developed youth leadership program can be used by specialists working with young people in cultural, educational, religious and other fields. “The program created as a result of the project with specific learning plans is a benefit for everyone who, when working with young people, sees in them significant potential and opportunities to improve it,” says Sandija Zalupe, the author of the project idea and leader.
The creation of the youth leadership program took place in several stages. A study was conducted in all member states of the project – Latvia, Romania and Spain, and more than 300 young people aged 14-15 years were surveyed in order to find out their opinion about their abilities, values, relationships with family and peers, as well as their place and role in society and involvement in social activities. in processes. The study served as an evidence-based and meaningful basis for the development of the non-formal education program. Focus groups were also organized, in which field specialists discussed and analyzed the results of the research, as well as presented their proposals for the program.
Within the framework of the project, a youth camp was held in Liepupė in the summer, discovering or polishing their talents, strengths and leadership qualities through games, sports activities and various creative, musical and other types of classes. “At the camp, with the ‘blessing’ of experienced leaders, every teenager was valued, supported and inspired to realize that each of them has the opportunity to achieve what they want. A supportive environment increases young people’s confidence in themselves and their abilities,” says S. Zalupe.
In the project, not only teenagers improved their skills, but also specialists from Latvia, Spain and Romania, and educators whose everyday life is connected with young people. The online classes were conducted by a certified, experienced, passionate youth coach and lecturer, Peter Acton. “A leader is like a thermostat, but don’t confuse it with a thermometer. A thermometer only detects the temperature, whereas a thermostat can regulate the system to a comfortable temperature. And this is a significant difference. A leader creates an atmosphere in a room, in an organization, in a youth environment, in a classroom, wherever he works. In creating a positive and supportive environment, the leader highlights the good qualities and strengths of each young person, points out their importance and gives them wings to believe in themselves. In order to achieve the goal, you have to be deaf to the disbelief of those around you, “you won’t succeed”, “you won’t be able to”, emphasized the lecturer.
The training program is aimed at teenagers from 13 to 15 years of age, helping to cultivate skills aimed at the development of a young person as a responsible, motivated personality endowed with leadership qualities. For the promotion of the mentioned skills and qualities, Krimuldas ev.lut. the church has based its teaching plans on basic Christian values, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and others. “The importance and role of these values is essential in the formation of every young person as a responsible and motivated personality,” emphasizes S. Zaļupe. The Romanian Scout Association, on the other hand, has included various outdoor activities and game elements in the program.
The conference will be the final activity in the implementation of the project.
The project is co-funded by the European Union. It is implemented in cooperation with the Agency for International Programs for Youth.
“The project “Mobile Program for Youth Learners” is financed with the support of European Commission’s programm “Erasmus+”. This publication reflects only the author’s views, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained there in.”
