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Supported by Erasmus + Programme

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Open Digital Europe

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Out of the Box International develops a tailor made open data model and policies based on open digital environment which is transparent, accountable and secured.

Social Businesses

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Out of the Box International works with already existing hubs, various local and national stakeholders and social entrepreneurs in order to further develop and promote successful social entrepreneurship policies and practices.

Solidarity Europe

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Out of the Box International delivers expertise in the field of cohesive policies by using cross-sectorial approach and non-formal  education, in a global perspective.

European Project

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Out of the Box International  works further to enhance current cooperation in South East Europe region and actively supports the integration of all European countries in common European project.

BLOCK CHAINED YOUTH WORK IS ON TRACK!

April 6, 2025

We are thrilled to present to you the fruitful outcomes of the BCYW transnational partners meeting (TPM) held in Ljubljana from the 2nd to the 4th of April, where Out of the Box International contributed to pave the road for the seamless final implementation of BCYW project’s activities. Stay tuned regarding the latest trends in the youth work sector!

INTRODUCTION

Project partners have identified a prevailing issue in which youth workers often go unrecognised for their positive societal impact, leading to disregard for their crucial contribution to society as key agents of true social transformation, contributing to active citizenship, social cohesion, and the significant well-being of young people. The Blockchained Youth Work project comes to inject vitality into the field of youth work through the development of pioneering digital solutions, leveraging blockchain technology as a trustful and robust tool for certification and validation of youth work programmes. In this line, the four main dimensions of youth work recognition (social, political, formal & self-recognition) are promoted, boosting the current endeavours of the Bonn Process.

This blockchain-powered tool is designed not only for youth-specific contexts, but also envisioned the possibility of scaling up to reach a broader spectrum of stakeholders, fostering a robust common system available in different fields and proposing forward-thinking, blockchain-powered solutions that benefit stakeholders across various sectors including education, science, economy, and the digital landscape. The primary objectives of the project include legitimising the work done in the youth sector, upgrading educational quality standards and practices, as well as strengthening the contributions made in society by youth workers through digital innovative means.

Therefore, at the heart of our approach is to spread the use of blockchain technology to innovate, tailor and enhance youth work in the digital era. Consequently, the BCYW project is determined to enhance the quality, recognition and effectiveness of youth work initiatives.

PROJECT’S INSPIRING PRACTICES

 

A comprehensive quality framework for youth programmes

Based on researched educational practices, needs analysis and the input of experts and practitioners, BCYW developed robust quality parameters for qualification and curricula development in youth work. In addition, a self-evaluation tool for course providers in youth work is included in the framework.

A blockchain platform in youth work

The purpose of the BCYW platform is to consolidate further recognition and validation of educational certificates in the youth sector. The project consortium, built around relevant youth work providers in partner countries, will curate the blockchain platform and verify the authenticity of completed certificates in the field of youth. The educational & training programmes certified in the BCYW platform will enjoy uncorrupted validation and enhanced trust processes through transparent recognition of high-quality programmes, confirmed by relevant actors in the youth sector.

Advocating for the quality of youth work

Our advocating efforts include a state-of-the-art policy document in partner countries & at the European level, as well as national & European advocacy plans which are geared towards reinforcing the recognition of the positive impact of youth work in our societies while influencing the creation of research-driven public policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of young people, youth workers, and the broader youth sector at the national and European levels.

Dissemination and visibility

Regarding dissemination and visibility, our transnational collaboration recognises the different cultural and legal contexts of youth workers across European nations and within the European Union per se, which trigger the dissonance in recognition, professionalisation and understanding of the impact of youth work in Europe. Despite cross-national differences and limited influence at the EU level, we aim to give visibility to the underlying universal principles that encompass youth work activities, reflecting the principles referred to in the Framework for establishing a European Youth Work Agenda 2020/C 415/01 (Council of the European Union, 2020).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, during our discussions in the transnational partners meeting in Ljubljana partners exchanged their advancements within the BCYW project and highlighted key aspects to pave the road for the seamless final implementation of the BCYW project’s activities. The BCYW TPM captured in-depth feedback on the to-do tasks, challenges and needs related to the reinforcement of youth work recognition and validation across Europe.

Thank you to all partners for their valuable expertise, the findings arising from the sessions held in Ljubljana will provide essential input to thrive the blockchain technology in the youth sector while tailoring it to national-specific contexts.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Blockchained Youth Work Project and our Out of The Box Newsletter!

Why Out of the Box International

The seemingly ever-lasting depression of European economies has shaken the very foundations of many European societies. The shear rate of unemployment in Europe and the omnipresent environmental crisis coupled with the often frustratingly slow process of decision making in the EU, are calling for civil society actors to step in and fill the void.

In the aftermath of the 2008. economic crisis, the apprehension of falling under the spell of apathy of economic depression across the continent has not been easy to shake off. However, pinpointing the culprits for the current state of affairs on any particular EU decision maker is not the answer. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the current approach to the economic and environmental crisis hasn’t yet shown the affected citizens the light at the end of the tunnel.

As representatives of the civil society we feel the need to make our voice heard in the midst of the current debate on economic crisis. Being a social enterprise we offer new and feasible ideas in education and community work, creative cross-sectorial cooperation among different actors and strong networking coalitions to turn these dire economic challenges into possibilities through social entrepreneurship initiatives which aim at benefiting wide range of citizens, particularly vulnerable groups and those affected by the economic crisis.

Social entrepreneurship is a simple concept that has been put into practice by civil society actors for the benefit of a specific social group or people, and this is precisely what we want: to create projects and initiatives with fresh ideas in different policies, educational programs or tools, support businesses, empower cultural initiatives and offer different solutions to individuals, corporate bodies, everybody who believe that we can have more Creative, Innovative and Cohesive Europe.

 

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