RATIONALEThe main priority for the ECVET for Community Development (EfCD) is the development of qualifications and curricula for the Community Development sector, in particular focusing on developing and integrating an ECVET approach for an existing qualification – the Level 3 Award in Community Development, accredited by City & Guilds. AIMS AND OBJECTIVESThe primary aims of the EfCD project are: (1) To use an ECVET approach to adapt the Level 3 Award in Community Development qualification accredited by City & Guilds to enable it to be delivered and recognised in a wider range of European Countries and; (2) To enhance the existing qualification by developing and integrating an additional unit for ‘European Community Development’.TARGET GROUPSThe primary target groups for the project are: - VET institutions active in the not-for-profit voluntary and community sector, especially those that are interested in developing specific VET provision related to Community Development work and/or supporting the internationalisation of their VET provision of the sector.- VET learners interested in pursuing a career in the Community Development sector, who we expect will primarily be young people aged 19-24 facing economic and educational obstacles towards achieving labour market integration within their chosen field- EU VET Support and the corresponding National, Regional and Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks in the participating Member StatesPROJECT ACTIVITIESThe project partnership comprises VET institutions based in Ireland, Italy, Romania, Spain and the UK and project activities incorporate a range of measures to support the development of VET training provision within community development at national and European levels. The partners in the UK and Ireland – DSC Regen and Capacity Ireland – are already accredited with City & Guilds to deliver the qualification but the project will support the other partners – MateraHub, CREED and 3Si – to gain accreditation to deliver the qualification and this will result in the qualification being available in Italy, Romania and Spain for the first time.The EfCD project partnership will work with City & Guilds to ‘internationalise’ the qualification by creating a new ‘European Community Development’ unit that can be added to the existing qualification. This unit will incorporate European level perspectives and focus on the history and tradition of Community Development within civil society in the participating Member States, we well as regulatory, legal and economic issues related to Community Development in the partner countries.METHODOLOGYThe project will also incorporate a comprehensive ECVET approach, based on adapted the units, learning aims and assessment criteria that comprise the qualification for use in the partner countries. The project partners will engage with EU VET Support and the corresponding National, Regional and Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks in the participating Member States (to the extent where they are already in place at national level) to facilitate recognition of the qualification in the partner countries and thus support work towards full credit transferability.Finally, the project partners will also reflect upon the process of adapting the qualification for use in other EU countries and the integration of an ECVET approach to produce a guide for further adaptation that will support wider use of the Level 3 Award in Community development by external organisations – including in other EU countries – beyond the lifetime of the Erasmus+ funding.IMPACTThe EfCD project will support 50 learners to engage in studying a Level 3 course for the Community Development sector and a minimum of 45 learners will achieve their target qualification and we anticipate that a minimum of 30 will progress into sustainable employment. Tutors taking part in joint staff training events will also benefit through access to peer learning activities that will enable them to develop new, European perspectives for the Community Development sector and integrate these within both the courses they teach and their own professional development. Each of the partner organisations is engaged wit local networks of Community Development organisations and participating in the partnership will create positive impacts on local ‘eco-systems’ of small scale non-profit associations and start-up social enterprises.

CONTEXT'Intercambio+: Connecting Cultures through Structured Language Exchange' combined will unite a complementary partnership with experience in language training, cultural heritage and Erasmus+ VET mobilities. The partnership consists of Brighton Third Sector Training (UK) as the applicant organisation, Capacity Ireland (Ireland), Third Sector International (Spain), Materahub (Italy), DSC Formation et Developpement (France), Synopsis Practice Lda (Portugal) and International Exchanges Berlin (Germany).The European Commission has identified language learning in Europe as a specific issue that needs to be addressed. Multilingualism in the workplace is extremely beneficial, nevertheless approximately 50% of EU citizens can only speak and understand their mother tongue. This project intends to overcome some of the barriers of language learning combined with encouraging cultural appreciation, integration and awareness. Objectives- Produce a cultural handbook, which identifies pathways to language training - Develop a toolkit with materials and guidance to run Intercambio+ sessions- Launch the Intercambio+ online platform- Promote professional development of staff and learners from all partner organisations, alongside integration of community organisations.- Foster greater European cooperation in the both culture and language training.Target GroupsVocational providers: We aim to disseminate our project results, Intercambio+ and the cultural handbook to vocational providers, cultural and community groups. The outputs will help them encourage and provide practical advice to learners, which will be especially useful should they embark upon either an Erasmus+ mobility or work experience abroad. Through such providers, we expect the project to have a positive impact on these learners, who are predominantly young and interested in working across Europe in linguistic or culture-orientated jobs.Employers: We hope that the project will result in highly positive impacts for employers looking to hire workers from abroad. The exchange of ideas will inform new ways to implement cultural heritage and language learning in European courses, thus improving the standard of employee for the employers. By discussing these key areas with our partners, we hope to improve the access that these employers have to a workforce with sufficient and relevant skills. Decision-makers and regulators: By engaging these stakeholders with the project, we hope to affect a positive impact in the sense that they will become more aware of the need for discussions on culture and language learning in Europe. We hope to also emphasise to them the importance of providing courses specifically for VET learners who wish to work abroad, as this target audience is likely to continue to grow in the future.ActivitiesThe main project activities will include:- Transnational Project Meetings: Brighton (UK), October 2019; Marseille (France), February 2020; Seville (Spain), June 2020; Dublin (Ireland), October 2020; Matera (Italy), January 2021; Berlin (Germany), April 2021; Lisbon (Portugal), July 2021. - Cultural handbook and transnational reports: publications made freely available online, to be translated into English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese - Intercambio+: an online platform whereby learners, staff and representatives from local communities can access learning materials and arrange social, cultural events with language learning at the core- Multiplier events: to coincide with the European Day of Languages and to run an Intercambio+ session with 30 local and foreign participantsMethodology To understand and evidence good practices in language learning, the partners will contact previous and current learners; conduct quantitative analysis on the importance of languages and different cultures in a national context; and interview stakeholders in the sector to adopt a broader perspective. In combination with the partners’ own feedback from learners and experience in language training, the project will result in a final transnational report, to be translated into each partner country’s language, as well as the publication of cultural handbooks and Intercambio+ toolkits.Results and ImpactThe cultural handbook will give vocational providers of teaching qualifications the tools to improve training, work placements and language courses for their learners. This result will indirectly produce a positive impact on learners, especially those who participate in mobility projects, in regard to their language skills and therefore employability within the teaching sector.Transnational reports and the language learning guide will foster interest from VET providers, language schools, community groups and cultural bodies outside the partnership. The primary intangible outcome refers to the professional development of various staff involved in the project, including VET trainers, project managers and researchers.

Context/Background of ProjectThe BPESC project aimed to adapt the existing 1st4Sport Level 1 Award in the Principles of Coaching Sport by proposing a new qualification which incorporated an emphasis on sports coaching on a European level. This was through the creation of a unit called ‘Best Practices in European Sports Coaching.’ The new unit has learning outcomes and criteria in line with ECVET methodology. Results of the Project The three principal objectives/results we have achieved: - Best Practices in European Sports coaching ECVET-based unit - Positive change in the personal and professional development of both participants and staff - Renewed attitudes towards sports coaching in Europe Number and Profile of ParticipantsOur project was primarily aimed at non/low-qualified young people with an interest in sports or sports coaching. Our focus was on recruitment of women due to disparities between the number of women and men engaged in all levels of sports and sports coaching.The project involved a series of five pilot courses (10 students per course) in each of the five partner countries, resulting in a total number of fifty learners. Description of ActivitiesIntellectual Outputs: The project produced three Intellectual Outputs:1. Transnational Reports and Guide for European Sports Coaches2. Development of Best Practices in European Sports Coaching unit3. EuroCoach Platform Transnational Project Meetings: The project included five transnational project meetings, involving representatives from each partner organisation in Dublin, Ireland; Marseille, France; Brighton, UK; Seville, Spain; Amsterdam, Netherlands.Pilot Course: We piloted the new Best Practices in European Sports Coaching unit integrated into a sports coaching course or in the form of a workshop for 50 participants. Multiplier Events: Each of the project partners hosted a Multiplier Event to showcase the project activities, results and outcomes of the project to our key target groups and stakeholders with an interest in sports or sports coaching. Each ME achieved attendance of at least 50 participants. Methodology: Our methodology was transnational, multi-disciplinary, and European in its approach. For the course development as part of Intellectual Output 2, we employed an ECVET-based approach to ensure potential for transferability and clarity of learning aims – not only across different coaching qualifications but European countries too. Methodology for project management areas was also planned in advance of the project to facilitate financial management, risk prevention, evaluation, monitoring, etc. Key impacts included: Learners – development of key skills specific to sports coaching and an array of soft skills including teamwork, communication and time management. These will improve learners’ sense of confidence and increase their employability holistically. Partners – Increased awareness of sports coaching; exchange of knowledge and best practice on an equal and mutually beneficial basis; establishment as a training provider recognised by Europe-wide systems by the adoption of EU tools and ECVET principles; continued professional development of staff including foreign language competencies.Target groups – increased opportunities for marginalised groups to undertake vocational training, thus increasing their professional prospects and easing entry into employment. Redressing the gender balance within sports coachingStakeholders – through sharing our results, we anticipate efforts to integrate either the unit or its materials/themes (gender equality; accessibility; social inclusion; community role) further in sports coaching qualifications, particularly entry level. Longer-term benefits The partnership aims to continue the development of activities, outcomes and impact after Erasmus+ funding has ended. This will be in the form of continued engagement through the EuroCoach Platform, hosting materials generated by the project and wider dissemination through partner networks. We expect that the promotion of results and, in particular, the unit will lead to recognition and accreditation as an innovative addition to existing coaching qualifications. The methodology and wider goals of the project could continue as part of a follow-up Erasmus+ application in the area of tennis coaching, should it prove successful.

<< Objectives >>The primary aim of the Intercambio+ VET project is to facilitate more effective integration between language learning, VET and the world of work. Its core objectives are to:(1)Develop and pilot innovative, vocationally-specific language learning materials and teaching methods(2)Better adapt language learning and VET to employer skills needs(3)Make vocationally based language learning accessible to a broader range of learners from different social, economic and educational backgrounds<< Implementation >>The Intercambio+ VET project will develop and pilot a suite of vocationally specific conversation exercises that will enable VET learners to develop their conversation skills within 6 vocational sectors across the 6 project languages. This will be complemented by development of a mobile app that will enable learners to validate each other’s language skills and learning achievements.The project will also establish and pilot innovative CPD training programmes for language teachers.<< Results >>Results and outcomes from the Intercambio+ VET project will include: Supporting VET learners, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to accessvocationally specific language learning that will boost their employabilityEnabling language schools/teachers to provide vocationally specific language to a broader range of learnersEnhance links between language schools and employers to support the development of language learning provision that is better adapted to employer skills needs

<< Background >>Even before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Commission had indicated the need to speed up the transition of the Union's economic and social system towards two major objectives: environmental sustainability and social inclusion (E.C. in European Green Deal – EU's Industrial Strategy for a Clean and Circular Economy; A strong social Europe for just transitions-Commission’s COMMUNICATION TO E.P. on 12-2019/1-2020). These perspectives have been reaffirmed and strengthened by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (R.R.F.), the ambitious Plan of EU Commission (see the Political Agreement 18 Dec. 2020) that rests precisely on the assumption of a deep transformation: the resources will be allocated to MSs with a clear engagement in the two areas mentioned above. So, companies must be ready for the challenge. In the light of these considerations, this proposal is linked to the need to support the transformation of the European economic and social system. In the knowledge that Member States experience different situations (as will be extensively described in the following boxes), the project aims to support the elaboration of the Benefit Corporation business model, indicating by this comprehensive definition a business model which combines the goal of profit with the purpose of creating a positive impact for society and the environment (see for example: A. Friederik, Putting Benefit Corporation Statutes into Context by Putting Context into the Statutes, in Business Lawyer. Winter 2020/2021, Vol. 76 Issue 1, p109-150).The BCs operate in a transparent, responsible and sustainable way. In order to become BC, a company have to amend its articles of association, including in the object clause the aims of common benefit that it intends to pursue. This means that the company will not only pursue the profit, but also the specific purposes of common benefit that it has inserted in its articles of association. The pandemic showed us clearly what a BC can be: for example, BCs are those that produce or offer fundamental services for the community, such as the health masks. So, they are not only large companies, but also Small and Medium Enterprise. The Benefit Corporation can be placed at the crossroads between the for-profit and the non-profit: it is neither a social enterprise nor a non-profit organisation, but rather an evolution of for-profit business to take on the challenges announced from the European Commision and bring about common benefits for society and the environment. Until recently, the idea of a for-profit company pursuing social good at the expense of shareholder value had no clear protection under European corporate law, and certainly no mandate. Companies that believe there are more important goals than maximizing shareholder value have been at odds with the expectation that for-profit companies must exist ultimately for profit above all (see for example: N. Kurland, ESOP Plus Benefit Corporation: Ownership Culture with Benefit Accountability, California Management Review. Summer2018, Vol. 60 Issue 4, p51-73.). The transformation towards the new business model of Benefit Corporations can be achieved only through a deep evolution of Human Resources. However, while the skills and abilities of management roles are already being updated (e.g. see the synergies between Academia and Business that will be strengthened thanks to Horizon Europe), there is no adequate plan for training and updating the professional figures who will have to implement the transformation within companies (see for example T. Hogart, Skills for the labour market: EU Policies for VET and upskilling, European Parliement, IPOL- Policy Departement of Economic Scientific and Quality Life Policy- Sept. 2019).<< Objectives >>GENERAL OBJECTIVEThe project aims at developing the ‘Operation Specialist for Benefit Corporations’ Curriculum and linked training course within the context of the EQF and related processes for ECVET. The project intends transfer knowledge, skills and abilities to enable learners to work within a Benefit Corporation with operational tasks. The Course is addressed to vet learners and job seekers with EQF 4/5 qualification levels.This general objective responds to the key need outlined by the S4BC Consortium Organisations behind the proposal: to foster the cultural transformation of European business models through vocational training and skills upgrading actions.In order to achieve the general objective, responding to the general need identified at the basis of the proposal, the following specific objectives are identified:-Outlining the features of Benefit Corporation Model at States and European level in order to make Benefit Corporation a key player in the European economic and social system;-Defining the gaps of skills needed by the Benefit Corporation (with a focus on the operational dimension);-Sharing a methodology for building a vocational training path and related curriculum for Operation Specialist for Benefit Corporation;-Developing a Curriculum and related VET training path for Operation Specialist for Benefit Corporation; -Developing tools and teaching materials for the training course in Operation Specialist for BC;-Developing an 'Exploitation Strategy' to spread the Curriculum in O.S. for BC and related training path in EU dimension.<< Implementation >>Activities that will be implemented producing tangible results towards the achievement of the S4BC Project objectives:- ‘Analysis of Benefit Corporations evolution and fine tuning of training needs map’ (‘Production of Project Result n. 1’ led by Kaunas STP);- ‘Development of ‘Operation Specialist for BCs’ Curriculum and related vocational training course’ (‘Production of Project Result n. 2’ led by C.L. Adult Education and Training);- ‘Piloting and ‘Exploitation Strategy of new ‘Operation Specialist for BCs’ qualification’ (Production of Project Result n. 3 led by FCSVM; the Pilot Test is scheduled only in Italy and Portugal). -1 Internationalisation Strategy: plan closely related to the Exploitation Strategy (see the activity of P.of P.R. n. 3) led by ITE Network.- A ‘Short-term joint staff training events’ (the activity will take place during the Pilot Test of the Operation Specialist for BCs vocational training course and it will provide opportunities for tutors from the 6 VET Partners of S4BC to cooperate in training course and joint teaching activities with their peers. -5 Multiplier Events (one in each Participant Country). The following cross-cutting activities complete the activity plan:-1 Communication and Dissemination Plan for beneficiaries, target groups and all stakeholders led by ITE-Network;-1 Evaluation and monitoring Plan (led by MANRA).-1 Quality Plan: Quality Assurance of the S4BC project and its results is entrusted to the lead partner FCSVM.<< Results >>At the Outcomes level, it is expected that the project, thanks to the planned training actions, will generate a change in the corporate culture towards the Commission's objectives .Expected project results are:1)Analysis (and Workshop) on Benefit Corporation Model at EU level and a training needs map. The analysis aimed at examining how the BCs can become European key players following the European Commission Policies. The Document will contain: at macroeconomic level, a list of potential and positive spin-offs in line with the E.C. Policies; at educational level: a review of best practices and educational gaps of BCs.2) Training Course and related Curriculum of Operation Specialist for BCs: a Training Course consistent with ECVET System organized in Training Units and divided into Modules. Each T.U. will contain the training objectives and the minimum duration. From the methodological point of view, the training course will comprise indications on the knowledge, skills and abilities that each participant must acquire. The course will also include precise prescription on assessment of learning and related evaluation system. This comprehensive ECVET approach, based around developing and piloting units, learning aims and assessment criteria for the new qualification, is adapted to the local and national contexts within the partner countries. This will include engaging with the European Qualification Framework and the relevant National/Regional/Sectorial Qualification Frameworks to facilitate shared national and European level recognition of the qualification and support credit transfer between learners and VET institutions in the partner countries.In terms of training provision, although the contents will be the specific subject of the project activities, the Course will cover the follow 5 areas: a) Business organization of BC; b) Technical aspects of BC: implementation (with an outcomes-based approach), monitoring and impact evaluation;c) Legal aspects: juridical framework and quality standards.d) Strategic aspects of BCs: environmental sustainability and social inclusion, profiles and scenarios;e) European and International dimension: development of BC model at EU level and internationalisation of Operation Specialist for BCs.3)A clear and multimodal tools and teaching materials for Operation Specialist for BCs in 5 EU languages.4) 2 Pilot Tests with 30 participants (15 in PT,15 in IT);5)'Exploitation Strategy' to spread the Operation Specialist for BCs at EU level. In addiction: Internationalisation Strategy closely related to the Exploitation Strategy Linked to the main results, are expected:-Supporting VET learners within the ECvet system/increasing the transparency of the skills acquired;-Increasing VET local offer;-Increasing consistency between training needs and professional growth paths (reduction of mismatching);-Supporting the declination of the role of the Operation Specialist for BCs at national level;In addition to all of the above, the partners have developed a more complete Timeline with detailedinformation about activity, its responsible partner and providing information on the tasks to be carried out (job definition, competency analysis, translation, publication), taking into account the experience of partners. The document will also serve as an effective Project Management tool for partners to ensure that Milestones are reached on time. The timeline also shows the other project results:-1LTTA in order to train 14 Vocational Trainers; -1Communication & Dissemination Plan for beneficiaries, target groups and all stakeholders; -5M.Es. relevant for beneficiaries, target groups and all stakeholders;1-Evalutaion &Monitoring Plan