Session 1.6. Let’s Youthpass: Valuing and Recognising Learning
WHAT? & WHY?
When people take part in an Erasmus+ Youth in Action project, they are involved in different tasks, depending on the project, from preparing the programme, to taking part in the activities, and they will take on certain responsibilities.
They will gain many new experiences from which they can learn a lot. By reflecting regularly on their personal learning during the project, they will gain a greater awareness of their own learning. This will also enable them to recognise their learning potential.
The Youthpass Certificate handed out at the end of the project is a document that allows the participants to show their learning outcomes to others, while also confirming their own perceptions of their learning outcomes and potential.
Youthpass is a European recognition tool for non-formal and informal learning in youth work. Youthpass is for projects funded by Erasmus+ Youth in Action and Youth in Action programmes. With Youthpass, the participants of these projects can describe what they have done and show what they have learnt. Youthpass is a part of the European Commission’s strategy to foster the recognition of non-formal learning. When creating their Youthpass Certificate, together with a support person (youth worker, mentor, another learner…), project participants have a chance to analyse and describe what they have done in their project and what competences they have acquired. Thus, Youthpass supports the reflection of the personal, non-formal learning process and outcomes.
Additionally, Youthpass contributes to strengthening the social recognition of youth work. It also supports the employability of young people and youth workers through the better awareness of their competences, and by documenting their development in a certificate.
WHO?
The Youthpass Certificates for Erasmus+ Youth in Action are available for Youth Exchanges, European Voluntary Service, and youth workers' mobility within Key Action 1. They will be made available also for relevant activities supported within the other Key Actions.
WHEN?
Youthpass certificates are given out at the end of a project. But as they are educational tools, it is best to deal with them during the project itself. This helps participants reflect on their learning throughout, and not just at the end, when they might forget important elements. This especially applies to longer European Voluntary Service projects.
The story of Youthpass. Part 1
Source: Youthpass.eu, SALTO-YOUTH Training and Cooperation Resource Centre
Transcript of this video is available here
Links to an external site.
The story of Youthpass. Part 2
Source: Youthpass.eu, SALTO-YOUTH Training and Cooperation Resource Centre
Transcript of this video is available here
Links to an external site.
Understanding the Key Competences
Source: Europe Direct Koper
Links to an external site.
The certificates are issued by the organisation or a youth worker/leader involved in the project. Depending on the type of project, this role can be taken by a group leader, coach, mentor, trainer, etc.
The technical tool for producing Youthpass is designed in a way that allows you to prepare the certificates before your activity starts: you can fill in the required information that is already known (e.g. project details, participant’s details, etc.) and save it. That leaves only those parts that describe the learning outcomes, which can be completed at the end of the activity or afterwards.
If you would like to work on the project with several other people, you can add them as editors. The web tool also allows the participants to fill in their personal details on their own, you can invite them to do so after you have entered the basic information about the project. The names and further information of the participants can be entered one-by-one, or by uploading an Excel list (or a similar file format).
The web tool for Youthpass is available in 24 further languages in addition to English. Please select the website language from the drop-down list in the top left-hand corner. Also the certificates are multilingual, however the translations of Erasmus+ certificates are ongoing and will be made available step by step.
HOW?
The Youthpass Certificates are issued by the organisation or a youth worker or leader involved in the project.
Depending on the type of project, this role can be taken by a group leader, coach, mentor, trainer, etc. To produce Youthpass Certificates, please follow the step- by- step instructions below, which guide you through the production process. All steps are further explained on the official Youthpass web-site Links to an external site..
MORE INFORMATION
Getting started with Youthpass Links to an external site.
Youthpass Guide Links to an external site.by SALTO-YOUTH Training and Cooperation Resource Centre
A hands-on toolkit 'Recognising Learning in Youth Exchanges' by Leargas
YOUTHPASS RESULTS IN NUMBERS
Youthpass Impact Study
Source: Youthpass.eu, SALTO-YOUTH Training and Cooperation Resource Centre
Transcript of this video available here
Links to an external site.
If you have questions related to your learning at this course, then Ask for Help
If you want to share your ideas and reflections, then visit Sharing Space
This MOOC is coordinated by SALTO-YOUTH Participation Resource Centre in cooperation with the National Agencies of Erasmus+ Youth in Action from Croatia, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Poland and Slovakia.
The course has been funded with the support of the Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme. The course content reflects the views of the authors, and SALTO Youth Participation RC and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.