Activities

Activity 1: Project Management and Implementation (PMC) involved overseeing the project from preparation to completion (M1-M18), ensuring effective coordination and quality monitoring in line with EU Commission guidelines and the Grant Agreement. Key functions included establishing a communications team to maintain dialogue among partners and facilitate quality implementation while avoiding risks through various platforms like Google Drive and WhatsApp. Lykeio Hellenidon Verias (LEV) coordinated communication with the National Agency, preparing necessary documents for smooth grant management. Tasks were allocated based on planned actions, and schedules with financial resources were created for effective budget management. Preparations for transnational meetings, such as the Kickoff and Final Meetings, were conducted to ensure all organizations were ready. All partners clearly understood their roles, with responsibilities and resource allocations defined early on. This collaborative approach strengthened their knowledge, networks, and experience in managing European youth projects. Newcomers particularly benefited from guidance provided by more experienced partners, acquiring essential management skills such as time management, crisis management, and decision-making, which were vital for their professional growth.

Activity 2: The project included two in-person transnational meetings held in Greece: the Kickoff Meeting in Month 2 and the Closing Meeting in Month 18. The host organization, Lykeio Hellenidon Verias (LEV), coordinated with sending organizations, including the Institute for Social Innovation and Inclusion, Capital Youth Association (CYA) e.V., and Asociatia A.S.E.L. RO, with two participants from each partner country. During the Kickoff Meeting, the agenda was established, allowing partners to connect and discuss project management and coordination plans. Key points of discussion included the distribution of tasks and responsibilities, project results, and the establishment of communication tools and schedules. The meeting also covered administrative modalities, dissemination frameworks, risk assessment strategies, and preparations for the next transnational meeting. The Final Meeting focused on disseminating and evaluating the project results while emphasizing sustainability through continued cooperation. The evaluation process included assessing training materials produced, the effectiveness of the dissemination campaign, and gathering feedback from stakeholders such as local authorities, youth organizations, and educational centers. Throughout the project, participating organizations benefited from networking and qualification opportunities. By adhering to the agenda set during the first meeting, they aimed to achieve desired outcomes and evaluate the project positively at the final meeting. Participants developed key competencies beneficial to their professional and personal lives and their involvement in European programs. They also gained intercultural communication and organizational skills by collaborating with partners from different countries, expanding their knowledge of managing Erasmus+ projects, and building reliable networks within the youth community. The host community benefited from the communication campaign by gaining insight into creative thinking through innovative non-formal learning environments and discovering opportunities offered by the EU through Erasmus+ projects.

Activity 3: Creative thinking was recognized as a crucial process for generating innovative ideas and solving problems from different perspectives. While some individuals may have a natural inclination for creativity, it was understood that this skill could be developed through practice. The “Craving for Creativity” learning program was based on the four phases of creative thinking outlined by Graham Wallas: preparation, incubation, illumination, and review. The first step involved creating a comprehensive database for the project, including definitions, research, and case studies related to creative thinking across the European Union. ASEL RO led this initiative with LEV, while all partners contributed to structuring the survey to explore the impact of creative thinking on youth skills and employability. The A3 activity, supervised by ASEL RO, targeted employees of participating organizations to improve their management, teamwork, communication, and digital skills. Each partner developed a survey through Google Forms and organized local focus groups of youth workers, collecting data to inform a research report. The project fostered collaboration with the public and stakeholders while enhancing connections among youth workers for feedback on project outcomes. Through these activities, young people were empowered to contribute to the project, ensuring their needs were acknowledged and supporting their development within a supportive environment.

Activity 4: Once Research Gate was established and the guide with key points was finalized and presented to youth workers, the partners structured the final toolkit focusing on the European data dimension in practices and non-formal education methods for enhancing creative thinking skills among youth workers. This digital toolkit aimed to teach both youth and youth workers step-by-step strategies to foster creativity, especially among NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) individuals. The toolkit included practical activities implemented in participating countries and highlighted reports from other institutions employing creative thinking methods. It emphasized essential EU values, such as acceptance of diversity, respect for different perspectives, and intercultural dialogue. Before finalizing the toolkit’s design, partners held a second roundtable with youth workers to pilot test the toolkit and gather feedback on its effectiveness and relevance to their educational styles. The creation of the toolkit was overseen by Fifty-Fifty, an organization experienced in non-formal methods, which provided leadership and utilized its extensive network of youth workers to obtain valuable feedback. CYA, a newcomer to the partnership, collaborated closely in the toolkit’s development, ensuring that the needs of the target audience were met. The entire partnership worked collectively to create the final toolkit, benefiting from each step of the process by enhancing their research, data analysis, and creative thinking skills. Through this collaborative effort, youth workers were able to expand their networks and contribute to the development of modern training guidelines tailored to better engage their audiences. The youth audience, as an indirect target group, received an effective guide that addressed their needs and included empowering practices to develop their creative thinking skills.

Activity 5: All results from the CRAVE project, including the Research Guide and Toolkit, were incorporated into the CRAVE Open Educational Learning Portal, an e-platform designed to present all educational materials online. This platform allowed for discussion forums, animated information, and game-based learning experiences, enabling learners to engage with tools that enhance creative thinking. The primary goal of the CRAVE e-platform was to facilitate improvements in key elements of creativity, such as fluency, originality, flexibility, and elaboration. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of virtual educational methods became increasingly evident, and this e-learning environment aimed to promote social inclusion and intercultural dialogue. The platform was designed to support youth workers, helping them to develop new skills and apply them effectively in their daily work across the European non-formal learning sector. It was portable and accessible via mobile devices, featuring a user-friendly interface that aligned with the CRAVE project’s visual identity. Under the supervision of CYA, all partner organizations contributed to the creation of the e-platform, which significantly enhanced their staff’s digital skills and real-world experience in developing virtual environments. By using the e-platform, youth workers gained access to digital tools and interfaces tailored to their needs and the broader European context. After completing the e-platform, the partnership organized a series of three virtual meetings to present its features to at least ten youth workers, gathering feedback to evaluate and improve its utility in supporting their work.

Activity 6: The overall dissemination plan for the project was defined during the initial months of the preparatory phase, outlining key guidelines to ensure effective communication and wide-ranging dissemination. The plan aimed to develop a robust communication strategy tailored to youth work, enhance public relations, and ensure the project’s sustainability and long-term impact. As the coordinating organization, LEV took responsibility for monitoring dissemination activities and collecting information for multiplier events, while all partners committed to following the established actions and providing promotional materials. Key actions included hosting local multiplier events (MEs) in each partner country during the final month to disseminate project results among local stakeholders. The target for these events was to engage at least 130 attendees, reach 1,000 people through online activities, and connect with 100 organizations via local and regional events. The project results were translated into English and partner languages, with subtitles added for accessibility. A dedicated website and social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, were created to share important project information and reach at least 5,000 website visitors. Partners aimed to utilize their websites to engage a minimum of 10,000 people, and digital dissemination efforts were supported by a targeted communication campaign featuring the project’s visual identity. Each partner organization organized a multiplier event that included youth workers with experience in engaging NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth, with a focus on regional examples. Stakeholders were invited to participate in these events to learn about and further disseminate project results. The events culminated in a detailed introduction to the e-platform, enabling participants to utilize its features effectively. Under LEV’s guidance, all organizations involved enhanced their skills in dissemination activities, interacted with digital tools, and connected with their local communities. This engagement allowed them to expand their networks in youth work and better understand the needs and challenges of their target audiences, ultimately leading to greater cooperation among participants and stakeholders.