<< Objectives >>We intend to provide youth workers with the skills needed to engage the young persons they work with in research to make it more participatory, action-focused and participant-led, and ultimately more suitable to inform policy-making at all levels of governance. This becomes particularly important when policy, research and practice aim to support at risk of marginalization groups which still largely remain under the radar, such as young carers (YCs), on which the project will focus.<< Implementation >>The project intends to develop, test and disseminate a training programme and methods aiming to upskill youth workers and enable themto contribute to the development of evidence-based policies in support of young carers at all levels of governance via participatory research and policy-consultation mechanisms involving the young people they work with.<< Results >>A) One multi-language (EN-IT-GR-FR), piloted and evaluated learning course of core-competencies needed by youth workers to contribute to research and policy around young carers, together with a guide for its replication by other providers B) A MOOC to reach out to more learners and stakeholders across EuropeC) A co-developed policy reccomendation report on how to promote the engagement of youth workers in policy and research

Presently, there is an increasing trend in the world population over 65 years, especially in Europe, which implies an increase in the number of detected cases of frailty and falls. Frailty is a multifactorial problem and people with frailty need simultaneous, coordinated, and stable health and social care, adjusted to the principle of continuity of care. The models of social healthcare generate a social and economic problem that is necessary and urgent to address. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), prevention strategies to be adopted by health systems should be aimed at the identification of risk factors, since one in three older adults suffers at least one fall per year, constituting one of the main geriatric syndromes and the second world cause of accidental or unintentional death. A fall also implies a deterioration in the autonomy of the elderly, decreasing their quality of life and that of their social environment, increasing their frailty. Despite the benefits and potential of biomechanical technologies to improve the assessment of frailty and risk of falling of elder people, it is undeniable that their applications are still limited to research and academic scopes. Experts have not brought down the technical and methodological barriers yet, being these methodologies mostly unknown by the majority of students of medicine and healthcare professionals. The aim of this project was the development and implementation of an online free access course to assure students, specialists, and professionals of medicine, who want to improve their skills, a worthy education and training regarding the applicability of biomechanical technology in the context of treatment of frailty and, especially, to reduce the number of falls in advanced aging people. The consortium of this project is composed of four partners with interdisciplinary skills to guarantee the achievement of the project goals. The University of Lisbon (UL), the Instituto de Biomecánica de València (IBV), and the Istituto Nazionale di Riposo e Cura per Anziani (INRCA) will guarantee access to the main body of knowledge of the course. UL is a recognized university with extensive experience in pedagogic elaboration and adaptation of formative contents for the development of online training courses using open-source platforms. IBV is a European leading research center focused on biomechanics and its application in medicine. INRCA is a research institution on aging that has education and translation of research output in clinical practice among its missions. The adaptation of the training contents to the requirements of project key stakeholders is assured with the participation of the European General Practice Research Network (EGPRN). EGPRN is an international reference institution that represents Primary Attention Medicine in Europe. Therefore, EGPRN will play a key role in the harmonization of contents, scopes, and applicability of project results. The consortium was also assembled considering the experience and capabilities for EU-wide dissemination. All partners are experienced in dissemination activities at the national and international levels. The project spanned for 2 years and all the tasks were developed and implemented under the scope of three Intellectual Outputs: - O1. Curriculum of the Fall-In-Age course. - O2. Pilot Course integrated in the e-learning platform. - O3. Final version of the online courses in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian. Project results are to enrich medical students and professionals on the optimization of assessment processes of frailty and risk of falling in older people. This allows them to increase the use of current biomechanical-based technologies, which, consequently, leads to an upgrade in current prevention methodologies. Furthermore, promoting a web-based open access online course, complemented with work-based learning and apprenticeship-type training, contributes to a better standardization and qualification of target users, which, ultimately, provides them with new employment opportunities. The project had also a positive impact on the participating organizations. The experience of participating in this project contributed to the reinforcement of the internationalization strategy of all partners. Partners strengthen their position in this field, acting as a reference center on the application of biomechanical technologies among stakeholders. By exploiting the online course, all partners can increase and improve their training course portfolio, gaining visibility among target users and potential future customers. But, above all, this project's most positive impact is, undoubtedly, on the group of elderly people, as the improvement of the methodologies for the prevention of frailty and reducing the risk of falling certainly results in the improvement of the independence and quality of life of these people.

"Context: With the continuous incoming of refugees from African and Middle East countries being under non-stop war conflicts (Nigeria, Congo, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan) being undiminished or poorly reduced, a workforce is appearing in Europe and in particular in Mediterranean European countries, that could become part of the field of care. World widely, due to lack of interest from local professionals, there is a continuous increase in the recruitment of carers from third countries (Lamura et al., 2013). Cangiano et al. (2014) indicated that up to 2014 and the previous ten years, the demand for carers from third countries at the European level was exceeded, with Mediterranean countries in second place. Moreover, due to the lack of education and only experience-based knowledge acquired in the workplace (home, private structure), migrants/refugees employed, are quickly driven into situations of burn-out.Research has also shown that due to a lack of theoretical and practical knowledge and cultural differences, cases of injury and inpatient hospitalization are increased due to errors in the way of care (Fusco, 2014). Based on international literature and research, the above could be addressed and improved by appropriate training in theoretical and practical-professional levels, as indicated in this proposal. Also, through this project and dissemination actions, the opportunity is given to improve the quality of life, to reduce the unemployment of refugees/migrants, and to be able to integrate smoothly into the labor market.Objectives: This project describes and proposes a refugee and migrant integration training process into the labor market of both the country of residence and the European market through a complete intercultural ""on the job"" training - based on a Migrant/Refugee Care Giver (R/MCG) educational needs analysis- that declines the cross-cultural gap in caregiving process and a certified intercultural training will be available for future trainers. Through this project, a Trainee/Intern opportunity and a Certification will be given to the participants through a training program in English as an international language of communication and the language of the country of residence and training. The primary training will be in the profession of caregiver, specialized in elderly care, and will take place in real Elderly Care Units given by care professionals. The aim is the smoother integration of the beneficiaries in the workplace and the development of communication skills that are important within a society as well as a professional setting. It also offers the possibility of securing work at the end of the training to selected beneficiaries.Moreover, the training of trainers will take place, targeting the methodology of how to train appropriately the R/MCGs. A web platform and an application will be developed, where videos of well practice courses and texts, including the part of the caregiver's professional terminology, will be available for every participant and trainer at any time. Finally, QoL research will be conducted and an effort for a cost-benefit analysis during the training and about the benefits, the effectiveness of the project's outcomes, and their impacts on individual, societal, governance, and policymaking.Participants: Refugees and Migrants mainly coming from Africa and Middle Eastern Countries, care professionals such as nurses, caregivers, psychologists, adult trainers, and researchers. The HERO training project targets elderly Care Units, NGOs, Universities, Colleges, and social enterprises, and the expected reach are over 10.000 people, units, and organizations, including stakeholders and policymakers.Activities: Educational Needs Analysis and Focus Groups, Curriculum ""on the job"" Training in language and terminology, Curriculum ""on the job "" Training in caregiving & specialization in the provision of elderly care for trainers and trainees, Piloting, Validation of the training material, learning activities and a Quality of Life (QoL) and effectiveness research. Also, meetings of the partners, and dissemination activities such as seminars, congresses in the countries of implementation, a webpage with full updating, articles in scientific papers, and forums. The project management is considered as the main activity of the project.Methodology: Our methodology includes a) tasks and outcomes according to international quality criteria b) measurable data mining, research, and analysis c) target group involvement and input c) promotion and raising awareness d) meetings and reports e) inclusive approaches f) development of intercultural specified training material and protocols.Long Term Impact:-Integration of refugees & migrants in societal and professional aspects-Upgrade of the QoL and well-being of the beneficiaries-Certified & applicable educational process by other institutions/elderly care units-Community and society awareness of R/MCGs usefulness & acceptance"

Contemporary society is characterised by two phenomena. The first concerns young NEETs, an acronym for Not in Employment, Education, or Training: in brief, unemployed and inactive young people, aged between 15 and 24 years (Eurofound, 2016) not enrolled in any formal or non-formal education and training. Although the definition of NEETs can vary in relation to many factors, all definitions of NEETs concur in identifying a heterogenic category particularly at risk for social exclusion from mainstream adult life. A possible means for containing the overflow of the NEETs in Europe has been identified in triggering “entrepreneurship” attitude among young people. In this perspective, entrepreneurship in meant not only as merely starting a business, but rather a multifaceted concept entailing the acquisition of different competences. The latter are defined by the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan as “practical entrepreneurial experiences” that “can also be gained outside education”. The second phenomenon is represented by the increasing population ageing: by 2025, in fact, more than 20% of Europeans will be 65 or over, with a particularly rapid increase in the number of over 80s. Older people represent a great resource in terms of knowledge and expertise and they can contribute to increase the social capital of the living community and of the entire society. If entrepreneurship can help contrasting the phenomenon of NEETs, the “Active Ageing” approach can do the same for the population ageing. “Be The Change” attempted to connect in a unique conceptual framework the two concepts of “entrepreneurship” of young people and “Active Ageing” applied to older entrepreneurs through the Intergenerational Learning, for keeping jointly instances, needs, personal values and potentials of both NEETs and older people. “Be The Change” aimed at 1) developing a methodology capable to promote entrepreneurship competences and skills, through intergenerational learning, based on non-formal and informal education approach, with the goal to trigger entrepreneurial attitude among NEET by the sharing of knowledge with elderly people. 2) testing the efficacy of the developed methodology by the implementation of courses for older entrepreneurs and NEETs and the learning outcomes assessment. 3) providing guidelines and recommendations on how to valorize, evaluate and recognize the acquired skills through non-formal and informal path.Participating organizations were: P1-INRCA IRCCS, Centre for socio-economic research on ageing (Italy), that was the project coordinator. INRCA is a national public organisation in charge of providing health care to older people and carrying out research on elder care and ageing related issues. P2-Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy) has a national and international outstanding reputation for academic excellence in both teaching and research. P3-Magyar Noi Karrierfejlesztesi Szovetseg - MNKSZ (Association for Women's Career Development). MNKSZ identified the need for a non-governmental organization to help promote women’s equality by working with and fostering the cooperation between organizations dealing with women’s issues. P4-The Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) Berlin Spree-Wuhle is a local social welfare organisation in Berlin with a a general affiliation with the national and state bodies of the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO). The AWO Spree-Wuhle provides a wide range of social services ranging from day-care, youth-work, services for the disabled, services for the older people, counseling and integration services for immigrants. P5- UPI - ljudska univerza Žalec (UPI Žalec) is a public, non-profit institution for education and training of adults in the Savinja Valley region. It offers a diverse range of formal and non-formal education programs. P6- The University of Malta. The research in Education conducted by the Faculty of Education is extensive and it has shown its commitment towards Inclusive Education since the early 90’s. In order to achieve its main result, the project produced the activities listed below:IO1: Analysis of the framework; Report of the results of the framework analysis; Conceptualisation of the training plan; Development of the contents for the trainining.IO2: Development of the e-learning platform; Implementation of the training for older entrepreneurs; Implementation of the training for NEETs.IO3: Development of the methodology for monitoring the learning outcomes; Monitoring the learning outcomes of older entrepreneurs and NEETs (two waves evaluation). Production of the Guidelines and Handbook. Thanks to the project, entrepreneurs acquired mentoring competences and non-formal learning practices (e.g. active listening, empathy, motivating, etc) and improved capabilities of capitalization of their know, self-esteem and sense of helpfulness through social engagement in mentoring young people. NEETs acquired entrepreneurship competences (e.g. reading the complexity of reality etc.).