The project connected 3 well-established and experienced voluntary organisations - ICYE Finland, FYIE Poland and KERIC Slovakia. The partners joined their expertise and experience to stimulate volunteering of young people aged 15 to 30 at local level. This was achieved through cooperation with local organisations able to offer voluntary work to young people at least once a month. The needs of these organisations were analysed, their staff were trained and supported so that they are qualified to offer a valuable learning opportunity to the young volunteers. The project:1. monitored local volunteering opportunities for young people in Slovakia, Poland and Finland in 45 local organisations in total 2. tested and implemented a new training module for the staff of these organisations so that they are able to offer qualified support to these young people 3. created some hosting places for EVS volunteers - in the long run 4. strenghtened the cooperation and exchange of good practices at international and at local level within the network of partners, with a special emphasis on cross-sector cooperation 5. an improved quality of youth work at local and international level 6. higher active participation of young people in the life of the community, higher tolerance and understanding in the community Target groups of the project: Primary target group: staff of the local partners in each country and staff of the 3 international partners - youth workers, social workers, municipality officers, streetworkers, youth educators, etc. Secondary target group: local community as such in Finland, Poland and Slovakia The project activities were 4 international partner meetings (1 pax for the kick-off meeting, 2 pax for all the next meetings), creating 3 Intellectual outputs (2 x data research and a training module) and support activities for local partners at local level. The staff members in local institutions were involved at the research phase in each country. When we tested out the training module, 1 or 2 staff members from some partner organisation took part. This means between 10 to 20 staff members trained in each country. As a result, we found:- intensive local voluntary work at local level - a raised number of Slovak, Polish and Finnish volunteers active at local level in the local partner organisations that have been trained in the project - a strong and sustainable network among: the 3 international partners - each international partner and its local partners capable and qualified to host local volunteers - mutual EVS cooperation among the 6 EVS organisations as well as the 3 experienced international partners- improved quality of youth work at local and international level - raised tolerance, understanding and spreading of positive values- raised active participation of young people and their involvement in local organisations, local municipality and its decision-making process

Political and financial instability, the rise of nationalism, war and terrorism have led large numbers of people to flee their countries and make their way to neighbouring countries and beyond. Fear and resentment fuelled by political rhetoric on asylum seekers and refugees is leading to minorities being targeted. This critical global situation calls for urgent action: to challenge populist narratives that make asylum seekers and refugees a danger to society and work toward diverse, inclusive societies. Aims-Raise awareness of the situation of refugees in Europe, Africa and Latin America-Counter discriminatory and racist attitudes among young people and in local communities-Foster inclusion, solidarity, and more respectful and welcoming communities Objectives-Build capacity of partners through training and tools to tackle racism and nationalism and strengthen trainer competences in anti-racism education-Share best practice on counter arguments to populist discourses and hate speech-Focus on networking and establishing cross-sectoral partnerships for the campaigns -Create awareness through trainings and campaigns of the impact of racism on the situation of asylum seekers and refugees -Empower young people to improve their level of competences and their ability to participate actively in society -Develop an Anti-racism Toolkit for International VolunteeringActivities1. Taskforce Meeting, 7 participants2. Youth Work Can Unite: International Anti-Racism Training, 23 participants3. 8-month volunteering activities, 12 young people4. Local anti-racism trainings for volunteers and host organisations in 12 countries: Austria, Iceland, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa5. Campaigns addressing racism and supporting refugees in 12 countries6. Final Evaluation Meeting, 6 participantsTangible resultsa) Capacity building of youth NGOs to address racism, hate speech and support asylum seekers and refugees b) Professionalisation of youth workers in anti-racism education in 12 countries c) Greater understanding of the situation of refugees and asylum seekers on 3 continentsd) Anti-Racism Toolkit for youth, volunteers and youth NGOs to multiply learninge) Strengthened international youth cooperation, new cross-sectoral partnerships and with NGOs addressing racism and supporting refugeesImpact on youth, volunteers, civil society, partners and local communities a) Youth workers and trainers competent in anti-racism educationb) Enhanced level of competences and holistic development of youth and volunteers through anti-racism training, campaigning, hands-on experience, improving employability and ability to actively participate in society, particularly relevant for youth with fewer opportunitiesc) Cultural exchange at local and international levels will foster inclusion, solidarity and positive change for partners and communities, particularly refugee and immigrant populations

The main aim of YouACT has been to develop a visibility strategy to promote the value of volunteering and stimulate youth participation worldwide. This requires a communication strategy that is goal-driven, on-going, cost effective, well-timed and with clear targets. YouACT's partners were be able to modernize and internationalize their public relations and external communication systems, and likewise enhance skillsets of youth workers (i.e. staff, mentors, volunteers...). The wider the promotion, the greater the recognition of youth voluntary work and non-formal learning, the higher the numbers of youth stimulated to active participation, and the larger the impact on youth policies and systems in EU and partner countries. Aims: I. Visibility: Create global visibility by promoting volunteering in 21 countries on 4 continents and reaching large numbers of youth, incl. young people with fewer opportunities, to inspire them to active citizenship, and to forge new partnerships for youth and voluntary work.II. Building Capacity: Develop a tailor-made visibility strategy and enhance the non-formal education and communication skillset of youth workers.Activities: 1. Visibility Kick Off, Berlin, Germany 2. Calling Youth to Action: Multipliers’ Training for a Global Visibility Drive, Accra, Ghana3. Calling Youth to Action in promotion campaigns in 20 countries: Austria, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, UK, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, India, Nepal and Vietnam4. Visibility Evaluation, Paris, FranceTangible Results: a) Global network of communication multipliers from 10 European, 4 Latin American, 4 African, and 3 Asian countries developed a visibility strategy and implemented it together with volunteers, youth, host projects...b) An international visibility training for 25 communication-multipliersc) Campaigns raising awareness of volunteering in 20 countries involving diverse stakeholders and reaching youth, NGOs and the wider publicd) A visibility strategy and visibility guide for ongoing, long-term, sustainable and result-oriented promotion and disseminatione) Strengthened existing partnerships, new collaborations with NGOs, local authorities/ministries, host projects, other youth/volunteering organisationsf) Active participation of increased number of youth in volunteering and civil society Impact on youth, volunteers, civil society, volunteering NGOs and local communities:a) Greater visibility, recognition and validation of volunteering and non-formal learning worldwideb) Long-term increase in global youth engagement in local communities in 20 countries c) Cultural exchange at local and international levels will fosters cultural diversity, equality and solidarity d) Strengthened partnerships and new collaborations and partnershipse) Fostering of youth entrepreneurship, employability, leadership building, creativity and responsibility through hands-on campaigning.

Economic instability has exposed youth to unemployment, socio-economic inequalities and exclusion, negatively impacting on their autonomy, well-being and access to rights. This creates precarious lives and erodes social cohesion and peace. Social entrepreneurship (SE), particularly in youth voluntary work, has the potential to drive young people to creativity and leadership and to engage with the local community for their own holistic development and the collective growth of the community. Young people in this project will develop and lead campaigns and actions that run beside mainstream economy, creating economic opportunities and alternative approaches to employability. Aims-Build capacity and share best practice among volunteering and host organisations to promote social entrepreneurship for/by volunteers and young beneficiaries in host projects, e.g. community development, social cohesion projects for the disabled, refugees and migrants, advocacy and activism, youth initiatives in disadvantaged areas...-Promote creativity and leadership skills for social entrepreneurship among volunteers, young people and local communities-Build social cohesion and solidarity among partners and within local communities across continents Activities-Young Leaders for Social Change Taskforce Meeting-Young Leaders for Social Change: Entrepreneurship International Multiplier Workshop-12 young people participated in 8-month volunteering activities -Entrepreneurship Workshops held for volunteers and host projects in 12 countries: UK, Finland, Austria, Iceland, Poland, Slovakia, Argentina, Honduras, Ecuador, Vietnam, Philippines, South Africa-Volunteer campaigns or projects took place in 10 countries-Online Social Entrepreneurial Final Evaluation MeetingTangible resultsa) Global network of SE multipliers (youth workers, social workers and volunteers) from 6 European, 3 Latin American, 2 African, and 2 Asian countries develop SE tools and support processes for entrepreneurship b) International multiplier workshop for 20 SE participantsc) 12 SE local workshops for volunteers and host projectsc) SE campaigns or projects in 12 countries by/with volunteers, local youth and host organisationsd) Handbook for Social Entrepreneurship through Volunteering for volunteers, IVS and host organisations e) Strengthened partnerships, new cooperation with NGOs and likeminded organisations. Impact on youth, volunteers, civil society, partners and local communities:-Creativity, leadership and motivation for social entrepreneurship among volunteers, IVS and host organisations, and local communities-Cultural exchange at local and international levels fostered social cohesion, solidarity, sustainable change and development for partners and local communities-SE workshops and hands-on experiences maximised volunteers’ learning outcomes, opened up new economic opportunities and new initiatives in social economy, particularly for youth with fewer opportunities-Greater visibility and recognition of volunteering

Economic instability and competitiveness on labour markets make the focus on skills and competences of young people crucial to their holistic development and employability. In times when right-wing populism is on the rise, youth and voluntary work is key to changing mindsets and reminding people that solidarity is the answer to our problems, not division; to promoting common European values, fostering social integration and intercultural understanding. The project thus aims to strengthen and assess the impacts of intercultural learning in terms of skills and competences young people gain during their voluntary service.Aims1) To professionalise IVS organisations and trainers to reach their goals in fostering intercultural learning, solidarity and the values of human rights, and setting up an international pool of ICL trainers.2) To boost skills and competences of young people and their ability to participate actively in society, and to enhance social cohesion, solidarity and inclusion within local communities across 4 world regions. 3) To test the impacts of the intercultural learning process on volunteers’ skills and competences, and to examine the needs and strengths of IVS organisations in volunteer management, training and support.Activities-Taskforce Preparation Meeting-International Training for Trainers in ICL and qualitative research-EVS for 13 volunteers-ICL trainings for EVS volunteers & other local and international volunteers in 12 countries: Austria, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, UK, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya and Nigeria-Impact study testing volunteers’ skills and competences in the 12 countries-Taskforce Final Evaluation MeetingTangible outcomes1) Professionalization of trainers in ICL and creation of a pool of trainers2) Organisations proficient in research, volunteer management, training and support 3) Greater understanding of strengths and weaknesses of each partner organisation and each region, and strengthened regional and international cooperation4) Products: a) An Activity Report of the Training for Trainers; b) New Practical Guide for ICL Trainings and new and adapted methods and theoretical input; c) Impact Study Report and new research methodology to assess skills and competencesImpact on stakeholders-Professional trainers with enhanced ICL and research skills and competences-Improved quality and practices of IVS organisations in volunteer management, training and support, serving the sustainable development of organisations and local communities-Strengthened cooperation among IVS organisations and local NGOs, and greater recognition of volunteering and work at grassroots level-Enhanced skills and competences and holistic development of young people and volunteers, improving employability options and ability to actively participate in society