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Description
The Project will examine through Outdoor Learning (OL) approaches whether woman NEETs can be activated to engage in society and develop a sustainable framework for the model to be applied by stakeholders across Europe. It addresses the main challenge of woman NEETs who are unengaged in education, training or employment.
The main challenge of the project is the social exclusion of women, including their lack of involvement in training courses, internships and job-seeking. In this respect, Poland is one of the European countries with the lowest rate of female activity in the labor market. Traditional forms of intervention do not sufficiently address the unique needs, challenges and interests of women, resulting in a low success rate.
The project aims to appreciate the individual talents and skills of NEET women. Formal education systems often do not provide such experiences, which makes it difficult to build career paths adequate to their individual interests and possibilities. The successful re-engagement of these people in learning and / or the labor market is a key challenge for policymakers and essential to reducing the risk of long-term unemployment.
The main goals of the project:
- development by partners and implementation of experimental solutions from Outdoor Learning (OL) in order to prepare NEET women to enter the labor market
- professional development of CIE staff, including their mobility
- joint creation and analysis of the OL model for NEET women, ready to be used by institutions operating on the labor market, improving the quality and adapting the educational offer of the CIE.
These transnational goals will ensure the effect of a more permanent employment in line with the individual predispositions and talents of women. As a result, economic and social differences within the EEA will be reduced and bilateral relations between Poland and Norway in the field of education will be strengthened.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to investigate whether NEET (not in education, employment, or training) women could be activated to engage in social and professional life through the Outdoor Learning approach. During the project, durable framework models were developed for application by interested parties across Europe. The project was necessary to support NEET women in developing life and professional skills, enabling them to become active citizens.
The project focused on developing and implementing a curriculum created through the collaboration of both partner institutions. Trainers from CIE conducted study visits to Norway, where they observed the work of Norwegian trainers and their Outdoor Learning methods. This allowed for the creation of an integrated method, combining Polish and Norwegian experiences, which was practically applied during work with 67 participants of Outdoor Learning expeditions. The curriculum was tested, evaluated, and improved, resulting in the creation of the Outdoor Education Manual, a universal tool for working with women across Europe
The project yielded significant results for the participants. Most of the 67 women who participated in the project significantly improved or changed their living conditions. After the project:
• 15 women returned to education (resuming studies, attending courses and training).
• 2 became CIE volunteers, collaborating on ongoing projects.
• 18 found employment.
• 11 retrained and began working in new fields.
• 4 started families and are soon to become mothers.
• 3 went abroad in search of work. Only 11 women (less than 11% of participants) did not change anything in their lives and are not in contact with us. This means that over 89% of the participants significantly changed their lives and actively participate in social or professional life.
Achieving these results has long-term significance as the activation of NEET women contributes to reducing social exclusion and improving their professional and life prospects. The project contributed to the development of universal tools and methods that can be applied in various social contexts across Europe, enhancing its wide-scale impact. The effective activation of project participants demonstrates that Outdoor Learning methods are effective and can contribute to sustainable social development.
Summary of bilateral results
The involvement of the Norwegian partner in the POL project was crucial and brought many tangible benefits. Collaboration with WNRI and Norwegian trainers allowed for the introduction of new elements to the OL program, significantly differing from those previously used in Poland. Norwegian research experiences in OL helped revise the OL method based on the Edinburgh model and develop a more effective and sustainable curriculum.Joint study visits and training sessions for Polish trainers in Norway were an opportunity for the direct exchange of knowledge and best practices, significantly enhancing the quality of the implemented activities. For the first time, Polish OL trainers participated in an OL expedition in conditions vastly different from those in Europe, greatly enriching their training skills.Cooperation led to a significant improvement in the knowledge and understanding of OL issues for both the Polish and Norwegian sides. This collaboration resulted in the development of the Curriculum and the OL Trainers'' Handbook. The partnership brought wide-ranging effects, such as the development of trainers'' competencies, the activation of NEET women, and the creation of universal educational tools. These tools not only improved the quality of education in the project but also became the foundation for further educational activities in other regions of Europe. The mutual exchange of experiences strengthened the relationship between partners and opened new opportunities for collaboration on various levels.The continuation of bilateral cooperation is planned. The shared achievements and successes of the project demonstrate that such a partnership is extremely valuable and beneficial for both parties. In the future, we aim to develop more projects based on OL methods and expand the scope of educational activities. A long-term partnership will allow for a more lasting impact on local communities and the development of innovative educational solutions across Europe.