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Completed: Learning Programme. Make Change Yourselves: Turning Challenges to Your Advantage!

The programme was based on innovative double learning approach which leads to double change! The participants were youth workers who were learning to work for change by participating in the learning programme through workshops, learning from resource persons, from their peers and bringing the acquired knowledge into professional practice. At the same time, the participants were working for change with marginalised and disadvantaged young people, who themselves through this learning were becoming actors for change.

The eye-to-eye communication (resource people in the programme - professionals as participants - marginalised young people) was underpinned by a participatory, 'asset-based' approach leading to empowerment which ensures personal human dignity. Learning, practice and spirituality were closely linked as the learning processes through 'person-centered' approach. In the learning programme those were placed to persons' everyday living and working contexts. In this way, integrity of learning and 'learning to build up the integrity of personality' went hand in hand.

All interdiac programmes integrate learning through practice, action-reflection and research. Therefore, learning and understanding gained throughout this learning and working process would be crucial for further research in youth work and developmental activities in the field.

The additional value of this programme are conceptual and practice based learning outcomes which were achieved through international learning across the borders and with relying on the field-expertise of grass-root youth workers. Consequently, produced working material can be easily adjusted to other contexts, educational institutions and other organisations in the field. The learning materials are transferrable to formal and non-formal learning settings. The Programme Curriculum, Operational plan and Handbooks for Programme Leaders and Programme Participants may be uploaded here https://www.online-space.eu/marginalisation-of-young-people The co-produced paper 'Learning for Empowering Youth Work Practice' gives a concise account about the empowering learning with young people, underpinned by the voices of the Programme Participants, and brings ideas for the development of learning programmes for youth workers.

Authentic stories of the transformed young people as well as of participants and their organisations are the best witness, ensuring a continuing life for the fruits of this project and at same time issuing an encouraging invitation to ‘Make Change Yourselves'. They can be found on this site together with other learning materials on the link above.