Out of the Box InternationalJust another WordPress site

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Menu

Supported by Erasmus + Programme

Read More

Open Digital Europe

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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.

YECh aims to foster the inclusion, active youth participation and enhance employability of young people by the establishment of a certificate of volunteer work. In this frame, this project revolves around the implementation of ECVET system for the validation of knowledge, skills and competencies of young volunteers and youth workers.

Through the project’s activities, we managed to:

  • Promote skills, competencies and knowledge that young people in participating countries and in general in Europe gained through volunteer work and informal and non-formal learning processes;
  • Foster the inclusion and employability of young people, including people with fewer opportunities and young immigrants and refugees;
  • Support improvements in quality and innovation in youth work and volunteer work in NGOs, organizations and institutions (private and public) and further develop and train people involved in the field of youth;
  • Foster the recognition and quality of volunteer work and promote the networking, training and exchanging of good practices among youth workers in a local, regional and European level.

YECh outcomes include:

1. Establishment of Volunteers’ Profile:

Through this first output, we defined the qualifications of volunteer workers and organized them in units according to ECVET principles. We constructed the volunteers’ profile through a literature research and field research approaching 157 young people in Europe. Then, we developed the competency matrix which displays qualifications structurally (competence areas & steps of competence development).

2. Certification Methodology:

With the contribution of experts, we developed the certification methodology of the project, which includes all the steps towards the acquisition of the certificate and is the basis of all project’s activities. Furthermore, the certification material was developed on which users are tested, before acquiring the Volunteer Worker Certificate.

3. Establishment of the credit system:

ECVET points are allocated based on the effort that is necessary for the learner to acquire the knowledge, skills and competences required for the unit. Finally a Competence Profile Schema and a Memorandum of Understanding were developed.

4. Certification Platform:

The certification platform is the main outcome of the YECh project. Through this platform, young people, volunteers, youth workers, etc. can enter, complete the tests and acquire the certificate of the Volunteer Worker. The certification process is separated into 4 main parts – the Soft & Hard Skills didactic material, CV information, General Quiz on Volunteering, Sector Specific Quiz (Migration, Education, Environment, etc.), and case studies.

5. Action Plan for affirming YECh – Policy Brief

The Action Plan will be the first document of a common advocacy strategy for affirming volunteer work at European and national levels. This document will present the partners national action oriented strategies to advocate for inclusion of certificate of volunteer work. This document is focused on advocacy at a policy level, aiming the main decision-makers and policy-makers at national and European levels.

THE YECh PARTNERSHIP

Follow us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/YEChVoice/

Project’s website:

https://www.yechvoice.com/

Certification Platform:

https://athena.entre.gr/en/courses/yech-youth-volunteering-certification

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.

 

Read More

Contact Us

Recent Tweets