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Description
The main objective of the FOSTER project is to develop educational offer addressed to teenagers in foster homes, concerning improvement of their life skills necessary to function in today''s rapidly changing digital world. The offer will be implemented through innovative digital tools (Open Educational Platform). At least 400 teenagers of foster homes will benefit from innovative educational tools as part of the implementation of the blended-learning. In developing the offer, the organizations involved from Poland - CTS and CASE - will benefit from the knowledge and experience of the Icelandic partner, KaraConnect.
Research shows that young people use the web independently since the age of 7, and 96% of them use the Internet every day. At the same time, more and more everyday activities can be handled online, and new technologies influence our actions and decision-making processes, which we are not always aware of. Nearly 40% of students in Poland believe that school education does not prepare them to function in a world based on modern technologies. Teenagers who are in foster homes have even more limited opportunities to acquire this key knowledge, because they do not participate in the life of modern (digital) family and do not observe their parents in dealing with everyday life using digital technologies. The FOSTER project aims to fill this gap and develop an educational offer to support the child welfare system and their inclusive education.
Implementation of the project will equip teenagers in foster homes with the necessary knowledge and will contribute to the development of skills needed to function efficiently in the digital world. This, in turn, in the long run will translate into a better, more secure start in adulthood, supporting their economic and social inclusion. For caregivers, this sustainable tool will allow their knowledge to be structured and used for educational improvement.
Summary of project results
The aim of the FOSTER project was to develop an educational offer for children and caregivers in foster homes and to implement these educational resources in institutions in order to increase the life skills of their skills, which are necessary to function in the rapidly changing digital world. This goal directly coincides with the objectives of the Education Programme, as it reduces economic and social disparities among young people now and in the future, increases the potential of children''s knowledge in social care, and has strengthened the partnership between Poland and Iceland through the transfer of knowledge about social care.
Partners developed and implemented educational resources for teenagers – 5 topics covering a total of 27 infographics, 5 videos, 5 quizzes, 5 outlines; Educational resources for caregivers – 5 topics including 15 scenarios, 5 videos, a manual, a guide, an instruction for caregivers, a webinar recording (a video on the use of educational resources). These resources correspond to the needs of the project and its target groups, identified and refined during the needs analyse in the first phase of the project. The survey conducted among foster homes allowed to determine the current topics, the most important and guaranteeing the longevity of the project''s results. In the course of the dissemination activities, the partners presented the results of the project directly to 808 people from the project''s target groups (dissemination events, webinars, meetings, workshops) and as a result of further information activities (e-mails, newsletters, online publications) they reached 586,441 educators and caregivers related to social care. Direct actions covered children''s homes caring for 10,200 children and young people, to whom educational resources are directed.
Thanks to the project, educators from foster homes were equipped with tools to disseminate knowledge and improve the situation of their knowledge in ICT and life skills, safe use of the web and digital tools. The subject matter and the way the materials are presented (interaction, graphics, animations) guarantee their attractiveness and usefulness for at least 2 years after the project and beyond. The materials are available without logging in and free of charge, for all interested, also in the self-study formula, so that the teenagers can use them at any time and from any tool (PC, phone).
Summary of bilateral results
The invitation of institution from the Donor States undoubtedly had a positive impact on the project. Its main goal was to create educational materials. Thanks to the cooperation with the Donor''s Partner, the quality and relevance of the activities were improved, as they facilitated the identification of the needs and expectations of the target group, as well as the adaptation of solutions to the local context. From the beginning to the end of the project, the partners shared and confronted ideas. The result of many months of cooperation with the Donor Partner to determine the methodology, topics, scope, form and content are unique educational resources. Cooperating with the institution from the Donor States, the partners from Poland drew on their competences, experience and good practices, which could not be obtained at the national level. This has contributed to our understanding of the social situation of children in foster homes in Iceland, of which we had little awareness until now. Cooperation with the Donor State has influenced the development and implementation of innovative practices and the implementation of joint initiatives promoting cooperation, learning from each other and exchange of experience at the European level. During the implementation of the project, the partners built trust, mutual respect and understanding. This translated into the establishment of long-term relationships that will last after the end of the project and bring further benefits to both parties: expanding markets and networks, increasing the prestige and recognition of the organization, exchanging knowledge. Cooperation with the Donor State also means wide-ranging bilateral effects at the local, regional, national and European level, such as increased public awareness of children''s safety on the Internet, joint achievements and results that bring benefits to both parties and contribute to solving problems and challenges in the field of social care for children in foster homes.