Youth for Change took part in SWIFT: Solidarity Writing and Implementation Fundamentals, a training course held in Šibenik, Croatia.
The project brought together youth workers from Croatia, North Macedonia, Spain and Greece. It focused on volunteering and how European Solidarity Corps Solidarity Projects can be developed around needs in local communities.
Project dates: 3nd – 7th March 2023
What was the SWIFT training about?
SWIFT focused on developing and implementing Solidarity Projects through the European Solidarity Corps.
Participants explored how volunteering activities can involve young people and respond to needs in their communities.
The training covered the process behind developing a Solidarity Project. Participants exchanged examples of volunteering activities from their countries and worked on ideas that could later become projects of their own.
The programme was aimed at people already working with young people. Each partner was expected to send five participants aged 18 or older with youth work experience.
Who took part in SWIFT?
The training brought together participants from Croatia, North Macedonia, Spain and Greece.
Youth for Change represented North Macedonia.
The other organisations listed in the infopack were Onda Verde, Asociación Juvenil Illipula and S.I.S.E.R.A. Greece.
The project was hosted by Udruga mladih "Mladi u EU" in Šibenik.
What did participants actually work on?
Participants worked on understanding ESC Solidarity Projects and how they can be connected to local needs.
One part of the programme involved identifying needs in a community. Participants then worked together on ideas for an Action Plan.
The next step was project development.
By the end of the training, participants had the opportunity to prepare the basis for their own project draft or activity draft.
The programme also included information about participation projects and opportunities for young people who want to become more active in their communities.
Activities took place at the premises of the hosting organisation and in the field.
How was volunteering connected to the training?
Volunteering was at the centre of SWIFT.
Before the project, each national team prepared examples of Solidarity Projects or other volunteering activities from its own country. These could include activities supported through the European Solidarity Corps or local volunteering initiatives.
Participants used these examples to exchange practices and look at different ways young people can take part in volunteering.
The project then connected those discussions with project writing.
Instead of stopping at examples of existing activities, participants worked on how their own ideas could be developed into future Solidarity Projects.
Where did participants stay in Šibenik?
Participants stayed at Hostel Scala in Šibenik.
What did it cost to take part?
Participants were reimbursed for their travel costs according to the Erasmus+ Distance Calculator. The project followed the Erasmus+ guidelines for the mobility.
What did participants prepare before the project?
Each national team arrived in Šibenik with two things prepared.
The first was a presentation about its sending organisation.
The second was a presentation with examples of Solidarity Projects or volunteering actions from its country.
This gave participants examples to work with during the training and a way to compare volunteering activities from the participating countries.
The programme also included an intercultural night. National teams shared food, flags, language and other parts of their cultures.
At the end of the training, participants received a Youthpass certificate.
What did YFCH work on during SWIFT?
Youth for Change joined the project as the partner organisation from North Macedonia.
Our participants worked with youth workers from the other participating countries on local needs, volunteering and Solidarity Project ideas.
The project drafting part was particularly connected to the work of YFCH. Participants could take a local need, develop an idea around it and start building the basis of a possible project or activity.
SWIFT also gave our team more information about how Solidarity Projects can be used to support youth-led volunteering activities at local level.
How can you join a future YFCH project?
Youth for Change regularly takes part in Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps projects across Europe.
SWIFT was designed for people aged 18 or older who already had experience working with young people. Requirements are different for every project.
Before applying, check the participant profile, dates, topic and country in the open call.
Want to take part in one of our next projects? Check the Youth for Change website for new opportunities or contact us at contact@yfch.org.
Erasmus+ Programme
of the European Union
