<< Background >>Ballyhoura Development and the project partners are applying for support for this project to explore and address challenges for (i) young people living in rural areas in accessing volunteer opportunities within local community groups and (ii) community organisations in rural areas that are struggling with succession planning and transitioning of the volunteer base of the group to drive on with the next generation of community led local development.The project takes place in the Context of:(i) Rural Change - Understanding rural change and identifying the needs of communities and in particular young people living in rural areas to ensure a vibrant rural community is sustained. (ii) Rural Young People - Inclusive and youth centred approach is required to address challenges in rural areas such as inclusion, social services, economy, climate change.(iii) Community Led Local Development - Local actors are considered best placed to identify challenges and maximise the benefit of local assets by working collectively to implement local development strategies (iv) Covid 19 Impact - The crisis has highlighted the vulnerabilities of rural areas and a larger impact on young people in terms of inclusion in local food, education, social, environmental and economic systems.(v) The European Union Youth Strategy and the Commission’s Communication on ‘Engaging, Connecting and Empowering young people’ aims to support increased youth participation in democratic life, social and civic engagement and ensure that all young people have the necessary resources to take part in society.The Challenge is now to:(i) To raise awareness, improve knowledge and build capacity of young people to actively participate in community led local development activities.(ii) To build the capacity of existing community volunteers to listen, understand and include the voices of young people and those more marginalised in their structures and processes.The project Theory of Change is that:(i) Rural young people across Europe can contribute, if (i) capacitated and (ii) facilitated to do so, to local networks and structures and build resilience and sustainability by acting locally for global impact.(ii) Community led local development groups can better plan for volunteer succession and group transition by integrating youth.(ii) The project will focus on building the awareness, knowledge and capacity of (i) young people to engage, build capacity and participate and (ii) existing community volunteers to value of inclusion of young people and in doing so bring the two parties together to facilitate the next generation of young leaders.The project will use the following Methodologies in implementing activities:(i) Co-design and development(ii) Empowering young people for action(iii) Youth Inclusion communication tools(iv) Sharing experience and expertise(v) Intercultural approachThe project will establish a framework to develop the competencies of young people through effective pedagogies for active learning targeted at community led local development. The project will assess the information, knowledge, soft skills and training needs in key areas for the development of young peoples skills to engage effectively in community led local development. Based on the assessment, the project will design, develop and pilot 10-15 learning units that will incorporate blended learning and youth engagement methodologies to facilitate the development of key community led local development skills for the young participants.The project will also engage worth existing community development organisations to understand the challenges of transition of volunteers and succession planning and the perceptions and challenges of integration young people into the community led structures and to develop, through codesign with groups, a toolkit to facilitate best practice in the integration of young people to community led local development structures.<< Objectives >>The project prioritises Inclusion and Diversity and Participation in Democratic Life as strategic outcomes..General Objective:Enhance through life long learning the awareness, interest, knowledge and participation of young people living in rural and remote areas and facing socio-economic difficulties, in civic participation and community led local development activities, thereby contributing to community inclusion, social innovation, sustainable growth and quality economic opportunities.Specific Objectives• Promote informal learning and mobility and create key tools to facilitate 32 Young Rural Leaders, to develop skills to effectively engage with local community development groups around topics such as group succession planning and continuity, climate change, digital transition, growth and jobs and good governance.• Create key tools to facilitate community groups, to develop skills to effectively engage with young people to facilitate collaboration, inclusion and innovation at the level of local community organisations.• Strengthen young peoples professional and personal development and ability to engage with and contribute effectively to rural community resilience to future civic, social, cultural, environmental and economic challenges. • Improve the quality and capacity of the project partners and their activities, approaches and practices in supporting community organisations to facilitate 32 young people within community led local development activities. • Add value to EU funds by developing the skills and actively facilitating the inclusion of young people in the local design and delivery of community led programming.<< Implementation >>Project Activities1. Project ManagementProject & partner preparation, partnership agreement, structure, processes, methodologies, communications and stakeholder engagement, project planning, implementation and project monitoring and evaluation2. Transnational MeetingsTransnational Meetings- Participation in meetings between project partners for implementation and coordination purposes.3. Teach, Train, Learn ActivitiesMobility activities - Train the Trainer - Youth training and exchange4. Project Results(i). Completion of the research report.(ii) Design and development of youth engagement and training materials, trainer materials and eportal.(iii) Pilot Training(iv) Design and development of community inclusion toolkits.5. Multiplier EventsDissemination activities to share, explain and promote the results of the project though national workshops in each country and a transnational workshops and event.6: Communication & Plan and delivery of the ongoing communication and dissemination of project activities and learning 7. Monitoring & EvaluationMonitoring and evaluation activities to assess progress against objectives of the project to optimise the impact.Project Deliverables1. A plain English and engaging research report to provide a reference for understanding the dynamics and operating environment of community led local development and the EU Institutions.2. A training course, support materials and a trainer manual to develop key competences for the next generation of young rural community leaders. The training course material, co designed and developed by the young people involved in the projects, will form the primary content of the elearning repository which will offer an accessible suite of education resources to support young peoples learning, organisation training and network development.3. A toolkit and group engagement to support facilitation of young people in local community development planning, design and delivery. The toolkit and support activities will be a learner centered approach oriented to real, problem based learning and skills acquisition in youth engagement methodologies.4. A series of online and in person International training and networking events with the young people across Europe involved in the project and creation of a network of the young people and the project partners to future policy development and inclusion of young people. 5. A paper which will include innovative youth-led recommendations for addressing future community led local development. It is envisaged that the training courses and toolkits developed though the project will be available to groups across Europe to adapt to their local needs to support greater inclusion of young people in community led development activities.The project partners will implement the project through the combined experience and expertise of the partners across the two disciplines of community led local development and youth engagement and development. The 5 project partners represent the two disciplines and the partners will collaborate on all elements of the project design, delivery and dissemination. This will facilitate the exchange and codesign of practical learning and toolkits for implementation to enhance the skills of the young people and community groups participating in the project. In creating the project partner mix, it is anticipated that all project partners will enhance their skill sets and social innovation potential of their organisations and contribute to better outcome across young engagement and development and community led local development.<< Results >>1. Project ResultsR.1. Research ReportR2. Training Modules Development, Delivery Methodology & elearning PlatformR3. Pilot Training Programme. R4. Toolkit for Youth Inclusion in CLLD2. Outcomes1. 32 young people with an up-to-date and live reference context for understanding the dynamics and wider context of community led local development.2. Innovative approaches designed and tested for addressing young peoples participation in community led local development, by providing practical training materials to facilitate development of a new set of key competences for the next generation of community led development leaders, use of participatory approaches and digital methodologies and improved processes of engagement.3. Integration of young people and their voices, and particularly those from rural and remote areas and those marginalised and disadvantaged into the activities and development processes of local communities and new approaches for community groups to integrate young people and deal with differences such as socio-economic disparities, social, ethnic, or cultural diversity to create more dynamic and inclusive organisations capable of utilising young peoples insights and skills.4.Improved ability of the project partners to address future EU regulations related to community led local development to take account of young people and their needs and increased capacity, professionalism and competence to work at EU/international level.5. Creation of a new network of entities with similar purposes and missions that will be able to collaborate to sustain support and opportunities for young people to become more involved in community led local development.6. 40 young people with a focus on the EU and local Institutional framework, the real needs of the relevant rural contexts and the necessary soft skills to engage and contribute solutions to the challenges related to local development.3. Impacts• 32 young people across Europe with increased capacity and competence to understand and contribute to community led development and influence other young people to become involved.• Empowered and skilled young people as future rural leaders to address community led local development policies at eu, national and regional level.• A more diverse and better balanced approach to local development and more active participation in society.• Greater understanding and responsiveness of local community groups to all kinds of diversity, and diverse abilities.4. Change AchievedGreater awareness, knowledge and capacity of (i) young people to engage, build capacity and participate and (ii) existing community volunteers to value of inclusion of young people to facilitate the next generation of young leaders.

The goal of the COASTAL project is to formulate and evaluate business solutions and policy recommendations aimed at improving the coastal-rural synergy to foster rural and coastal development while preserving the environment. Rural development in the EU is increasingly affected by changing market developments, decreasing population densities, urban sprawl, lack of employment, desertification and other environmental, economic and social pressures. On the other hand, coastal areas provide interesting business opportunities but are also influenced by economic activities in the hinterland. Multi-Actor Approaches will be combined with System Dynamics to analyse the environmental, economic, and social interactions of rural and coastal areas in a holistic manner. The underlying feedback structures governing the dynamics, vulnerabilities, limitations, and business opportunities of the land-sea system will be identified and analysed, taking into consideration the regulatory frameworks, stakeholder priorities and social-economic conditions at the local, regional and macro-regional scale levels. Multi-Actor Labs using qualitative and quantitative tools will be set up to support the co-creation exchanges between scientific experts, stakeholders, business entrepreneurs, sector- and administrative representatives. The project will be structured around six closely interacting work packages with six complementary case studies in Sweden, Belgium, France, Spain, Greece and Romania.

A small video of 8 minutes summarizes the steps of the program in pictures.https://vimeo.com/369237978password: 8minThe second was a wink to the good atmosphere and confidence that greatly helped to facilitate the work in the group during these 2 years:https://vimeo.com/368974190password: 1234In addition, the group has chosen to focus the information and learnings of the project on a website: innovet-project.euIt contains the stages (episodes) and the report of visits and workshops. The territorial profile part corresponds to the analyzes and the result of the use of the grid validated together in Figeac.Finally, the resources section includes the tools and approaches used during the program.The context in which this program took place is that of the economic and social balances of the rural territories put in tension by the economic globalization. Actors are seeking to improve the dialogue between training provision and the demand for skills to keep these rural territories alive.The challenge is to enable all assets to adapt to changes in the productive system and to promote the competitiveness of SMEs and very small businesses. This project also has a civic dimension with the idea that everyone has something to contribute to territorial dynamics.The objectives were to search for tools and methods that facilitate active listening of the territories and facilitate the development of the most strategic skills for the actors of the training but also for the whole territorial system.The number and profile of participants was generally the same at each session: managers and teams of training organizations, organizations supporting training and the rural world, territorial institutions linked to companies.The description of the activities corresponds to what was foreseen in the application:- a kick off meeting in Brussels coupled with a visit of OFFA partners to understand the context in which this partner works. The final workshop in July 2019 was also held in Brussels to facilitate dissemination.- 2 action learning sessions were held as planned. The first in Figeac to start from the experiences of the previous program, to allow the group to build up the basis of a common experience and lead to jointly specify our roadmap, our method and tools to implement.The last session took place on Reunion Island to test learning in a new territory for the majority of partners. it is also a way of putting the ultra peripherical region at the center of European concerns by making this part of Europe a reality for the group. The diversity of contexts observed during the two years gave the participants confidence and resulted in the writing of the guide on territorial cooperation in the appendix.- The transnational meetings (Iceland, Romania, Lithuania, Slovenia) served both to pilot and manage the program but also as a case study to expand the typologies of territories with their characteristics and lessons learned.They were supplemented by a first meeting in Slovenia to help the partner stay on track, a workshop on own funds in Bosnia and the closing session in Brussels.The results are already visible even if it was not obvious at the beginning for a program of exchange of practices.There are new practices : training, services and ways to organize or consider the mission of partner organizations. The guide on territorial cooperation has been developed together and translated.The partners are reassured in their capacity to meet the needs of the assets (employees, young people, local populations, etc.) and local businesses by their (sometimes new) territorial approach.The impacts, or rather the effects, are detailed in the dedicated part of the report but we can summarize by insisting on the changing posture of individuals and organizations (wider vision and with greater range) and a real change brought about by transnational meetings prepared in turn by each partner. They strengthened the link between the actors of the territories, their mutual knowledge and the consciousness that everything is there but that the dialogue and the pretext of an event to activate the territorial network were missing.The long-term benefits seem many. There is a stronger political positioning of rural areas with the beginning of institutional dialogue on the contribution of vocational training to the development of rural areas, a change in the speech of the decision-makers of the partners and a strong desire of the partners to pursue together.

Context/background of the project;The project is based around the LEADER program which is a highly effective and successful model of integrated social and economic development in rural communities. The opportunities for capacity building and knowledge exchange between regions/countries across Europe are significant. Regions with extensive experience in LEADER program implementation can share their approaches and methods with new EU Member States (MS) and options for cooperation identified between regions/countries across Europe. Furthermore the effective management of the LEADER Programme can be enhanced through building the knowledge, skills and capacities of those working within Local Aaction Groups (LAGs) and Local Development Companies (LDCs)Objectives;Th key objectives of the TELI2 Project were toa) Carry out research on the delivery of LEADER in member states and training needs of LEADER staff and Board membersb) Develop a programme in LEADER programme management, which would be accrediated on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)c) To deliver a best practice-based training course of implementation to LEADER company management and staff recruited by all the LEADER-related partners.Number and profile of participating organisations;The TELI2 project involved 10 partners from Ireland (2), Poland (1), Romania (1), Slovenia (2), Croatia (2) and Portugal (1). The partners represented Academic and Training Organisations (Limerick Institute of Technology (IE) and University of Ljubljana (SL)) and Local Action Groups (Dolina Raby (PL), SECAD (IE), Dobrogea Centrala (RO), Development agency Kozjansko (SL), Zeleni Bregi (HR), Adrimag (PT), ACE (PT), Zrinska Gora-Turopolje (HR). Expert staff from each partner contributed their knowledge and skills across the field of education/training, rural development, sustainable development, LEADER Programme management, project management and dissemination. The participant organisations have extensive experience in the delivery of LEADER programmes, the delivery of high quality Rural Development and Sustainable Development Education and the management and delivery of successful European Projects. In addition, 16 people selected from the LAGs completed the programme.Description of undertaken main activities;The project has been successful in implementing all aspects of the planned work programme.Firstly a detailed analysis of LEADER Programme implementation was completed on the basis of a survey of LAGs and relevant organisations across the EU. Analysis of inputs from 169 respondents to an on-line survey and 45 participants in Focus Groups were compiled into a dedicated report profiling the approaches to LEADER implementation across Europe. In addition, this report also provided conclusions on the Training needs of those working in LEADER organisations across Europe. This input feed directly into the next phase of developing a Certificate in LEADER Programme Management.LIT, in consultation with University of Ljubljana, developed an education programme to meets the needs as outlined in the research. Various methods of programme accrediation were researched and finally the programme was accrediated through LIT as a Special Purpose Award - Level 7 on EQF. The programme has a total of 30 ECTS and designed for delivery as a blended learning programme.The programme was delivered to 18 participants, who were selected by the LAG partners, LIT and UL. The participants completed the programme over a 6 month period including completion of 3 Learning Weeks in IE, PT and PL. Participants completed modules on Communications and Facilitation, LEADER Approach and Neo-Endogenous Rural and LEADER Programme Management and Organisational Skills. 13 of participants successfully received the academic accreditation at the end of the progamme.The outputs and outcomes from the project were widely disseminated through a variety of channels including Website, Social Media, Newsletters and Mutilplier Events.Results and impact attained;The critical result has been the upskilling of 16 representatives from LAGs across Europe on how to implement and manage the LEADER Programme in their regions. All participants engaged actively in the programme and while 3 did not receive the final academic accreditation they have still acquired the relevant knowledge and skills from the programme. The extensive exchanges between the project partners both during project meetings and the Learning/Teaching/Training activities has created a strong community and bond between the partners and discussions are on-going on how to further the work completed in the project into other areas through further collaborations. 236 people attended the Multiplier Events and contributed to engaged discussions on how the LEADER Programme can be utilised to enhance the lives of people in regions across Europe.

"<< Background >>“The rural areas in the EU cover 83% of the EU territory and were home to 29,1% of the EU population in 2018, while 39.3% of the population lived in cities and 31.6% lived in towns and suburbs. The rural areas facing with challenges like: Demographic change, Connectivity, Low-income levels, Limited access to services, but also opportunities like: producing high quality food and non-food products and contribute to the richness and diversity of European culture; ensuring stewardship of natural resources and mitigating the effects of climate change. In this respect, the PROJECT GOAL is to increase the number of trained and certified “community development officers” in rural area by providing training and certification for this occupation to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.This will create a long-term impact on their local communities:-Raise awareness about the opportunities arising from transition and green, sustainable and digital Europe-Help community members to create and finance local business, taking the opportunities of the transition to a green, sustainable and digital Europe; this will lead to retention of population on the rural area and balanced distribution of population, better employment rate and increased incomes for local entrepreneurs and their employees-Increasing connectivity between LAGs and stakeholders in Europe, helping communities to work and innovate into European single Market and not isolated by guidance and case study, success stories, finding partners, etc. -Facilitating the access to consultancy and training<< Objectives >>SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:1. Adapting the partner’s educational offer to local communities needs by creating innovative, practical and digital curriculum, training materials for “community policy developer” occupation which will include up-dated and future skills: green and digital2. Increasing the capacity and readiness of partners’ organizations to manage digital educational approach thorough development, teaching and assessment on e-learning platform and innovative use of digital tools, as well as participate on thematic “mobility of VET teachers”.3. Skilling and certifying 60 socio-economic disadvantaged persons from rural areas as “community development officer” thorough testing the course in all partners countries4 Increasing the employability potential and practical skills of 60 target learners thorough their direct involvement into work-based approach on external mobility 5. Raise awareness to local communities about the opportunities arising from transition to green, sustainable and digital Europe, including the importance of the job “community policy developer” into rural area and transfer the project results to interested parties through active dissemination of projects activities and results.TRANSVERSAL OBJECTIVE: increasing the management capacity of project partners and transnational cooperation.<< Implementation >>1. Design and run the WBL survey2. Design of curriculum and training materials3. Create 4. Create curriculum and short training materials for “Become digital trainers” mobility 5. Run Become digital trainers” mobility 5. Run entire training course in all partners countries- Selection the 60 target learners- Preparing the learners mobility: WBL for future employment- Preparing the trainers mobility: Become digital trainers- Running mobility of learners: WBL for future employment- Test the digital courses with learners- Obtain National Authority Certification for the course in Romanian and issuing National certified diploma6. Communicate about the project and disseminate the project results7. Perform project management<< Results >>MAIN PROJECT RESULTS AND OUTCOMES:PROJECT RESULTS CATEGORY OUTCOMES- 1 survey report- 1 e-learning project platform- 5 training courses for the job ""community development officer"" for each project languagePILOTING COURSES OUTCOMES- 1 selection grid for participants- 60 skilled persons facing with socio-economic obstacles and coming from vulnerable groups from rural areas- minimum 40 digitals certification with diploma for instructed target passing the final test- minimum 160 badges earned (40 people x4 badge/person) buy the project target- minimum 30 free and open enrolments on digital courses, except the formal participants into the project- employment opportunities inside the project partnership and to local stakeholders for minimum 6 certified persons - minimum 10 persons certified as “community project manager” in RomaniaMOBILITIES OUTCOMES- 60 learners skilled into mobilities- 14 Europass certificates for project trainers into mobilities- 60 Europass certificates for learners into mobilities5. DISSEMINATION AND MULTIPLIER EVENTS OUTCOMES- dissemination plan- project branding kit- kit for using the personal information of the participants for the project purposes- 1 project web-site- 1 project YouTube channel- 1 project Facebook page- 6 multiplier events organized- minimum 50.000 persons informed about projects activities and results- minimum 500 LAGs and interested stakeholders (public/private and local/regional/national/European authorities or bodies) informed about project results and activities"