From August 12 to August 20, 2024, the Erasmus+ project „Erasmus Villages: Job Shadowing in Rural Settings“ brought together Youth Workers for a transformative experience in Tauchen, Austria, at the Blue Whale Education Center. This nine-day mobility involved participants from the German NGO CAMBIO e.V., the Italian organization Parco Culturale Alta Langa, and the host organization, Generation Europa.

The project aimed to provide Youth Workers with the opportunity to reflect on their practices, particularly in implementing International Youth Work within the Erasmus+ framework. The participants began by getting to know each other and the venue, sharing values, and conducting a comprehensive needs analysis on personal, organizational, and societal levels.

They brainstormed and developed five new project ideas, ready for submission in the next Erasmus+ application cycle. Throughout the process, participants exchanged best practices, discussed digital tools for youth work, explored the impact of artificial intelligence, and shared innovative pedagogical approaches for group facilitation. They also focused on enhancing project management skills and refining communication strategies. In addition, the Youth Workers collaborated on creating a promotional video using drone footage to highlight the educational offerings of the Blue Whale Education Center.

A highlight of the project was creating a Handbook of Best Practices for planning international youth mobility projects. This resource is available for free on the Salto platform and the partner organizations‘ websites.

Many thanks go to Mike for preparing amazing vegan food, Wolfgang Seiberth for being a fantastic host and mentor, and Daniel for being an inspiring special guest during the seminar. Their contributions greatly enhanced the experience for all participants.

The „Erasmus Villages: Job Shadowing in Rural Settings“ project was a productive and enriching experience, fostering a strong network of support and collaboration among Youth Workers. This initiative has empowered participants to improve the quality of their work, ultimately benefiting the young people they serve.