Nuorisotyön tunnustaminen on Euroopan laajuinen prosessi. Rita Bergstain Saksan SALTO Training & Cooperation -resurssikeskuksesta kertoi, millaisia eurooppalaisia prosesseja on meneillään nuorisotyön tunnustamiseksi ja kuinka nuoret voivat hyötyä osallistumisestaan eri aktiviteetteihin. Voiko nuorisotyön kautta opituilla asioilla esim. korvata kursseja tai saada lisäpisteitä kouluun pääsemiseen? Samalla kerrotaan Youthpass-työkalusta, jonka avulla Youth in Action -ohjelman hankkeissa opitut asiat voidaan tehdä näkyviksi ja esitellä esim. työnhaussa.

1. Recognition of
non-formal and
informal learning
in the youth field
YOUTH 2013
January 2013, Jyväskylä/FI

2. YOUTH 2013 – Jyväskylä, Jan 2013
Highlights of recent European developments in the field of recognition of
youth work and non-formal learning / education
– Youthpass
– The 4 dimensions of recognition
– Political context
– Pathways paper and its implementation

3. Youthpass
Tool for participants of projects funded by the Youth in Action (YiA)
Programme: young people and youth workers.
3 roles of Youthpass:
•Youthpass certificate
•Youthpass process
•Strategy for recognition of youth work and non-formal
learning/education in the youth field
Multilingual tool implemented with the support network of YiA National
Agencies and other experts.

4. Youthpass certificate
Page 1:
•Information about the project and type of activity
within YiA
•Logo of the organisation, signature of a legal
representative
•Possibility to verify authenticity
Page 2:
•Project description
•Signature of the representative of the project
Page 3 and ff:
•Information about the individual contribution to the
project
•Description of learning outcomes

5. Description of learning outcomes
Self-assessment and the dialogue process
Description of learning results, based on the
EU key competences
Signature of the learner, also dialogue
partner if applicable
References
Further information on YiA and the key
competences

6. The EU key competences for lifelong learning
Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on key competences for lifelong
learning (December 2006)
Competences: combination of skills, knowledge and attitudes
1.Communication in the mother tongue
2.Communication in foreign languages
3.Mathematical competence, basic competences science / technology
4.Digital competence
5.Learning to learn
6.Social and civic competences
7.Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship
8.Cultural awareness and expression
In the certificate also: „Other specific competences“

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8. Some ways of describing learning outcomes
• Linking the description to the learning objectives set at the
beginning of the project
– Objectives as a reference point
– Important to stay aware of possible changes during the project
• Situations as a starting point
– Practical examples as well as proof of how new insights and skills
were used.
– Allows to link learning to taking on a new role, performing a new
task, giving shape to an idea, etc.
• The story of the process
– A learning story, e.g. “When I filled in the application form for the
course….”, or “when arriving in Tallinn on the first day of my
project …”

9. Strategic aims of Youthpass
•support to reflection upon the personal (non-formal) learning
process
•social recognition of youth work
•employability of young people and youth workers
•active participation of young people in society

10. Some challenges...
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11. Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation
Four dimensions of recognition:
• Political recognition
• Formal recognition
• Social recognition
• Individual recognition
Political recognition means the recognition of non-formal education in legislation
and/or the inclusion of non-formal learning/education in political strategies, and
the involvement of non-formal learning providers in these strategies.
Self recognition means the assessment by the individual of learning outcomes and
the ability to use these learning outcomes in other fields.

12. Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation
Social recognition means that social players acknowledge the value of
competences acquired in non-formal settings and the work done within these
activities, including the value of the organizations providing this work.
Formal recognition means the ‘validation’ of learning outcomes and the
‘certification’ of a learning process and/or these outcomes by issuing certificates or
diplomas which formally recognise the achievements of an individual

13. Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation
„Working Paper the EU-CoE youth partnership, SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource
Centre, European Youth Forum and Youth Directorates in EC and CoE (2011)
Purpose:
•Update and re-focus the strategy as outlined in the first paper (2004)
•Give the strategy for a better recognition of non-formal learning in youth
activities and of youth work a new impetus
Content:
•Characteristics and impact of non-formal learning
•Stocktaking – the state of affairs at European and national level
•10 elements for a renewed strategy

14. Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation
10 elements for a renewed strategy
1) Develop a common understanding and a joint strategy in the
youth field and improve co-operation and communication
2) Make the role of youth organisations visible
3) Assure quality and training in non-formal education/learning
4) Increase knowledge about non-formal education/learning in
youth work
5) Develop existing tools further and make them accessible and
transferable

15. Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation
6) Reinforce the political process at European level
7) Link youth to the lifelong learning strategy and vice versa
8) Involve stakeholders of the employment sector
9) Associate the social sector
10) Cooperate with other policy fields and with stakeholders of
civil society

16. Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation
STATEMENT & PLAN OF ACTION by participants
Challenges:
•making the concept of 'youth work & non-formal learning/education better
understood
•keeping all dimensions of recognition in balance
•risking formalisation of non-formal learning/education
•assuring quality in youth work and in non-formal learning/education
•maintaining and cultivating diversity
•building knowledge
•being dependent from different other sectors
•creating partnerships

17. Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation
policies at European,
STATEMENT & PLAN OF ACTION by participants national, regional and local
level
Actions:
• Sustaining a political process
• Launching a promotional campaign in youth work & non-formal
• Fostering cooperation and partnerships education/learning
• Gathering, creating and providing knowledge
• Assuring quality
• Developing and using tools for recognition
• Providing resources and support
in lifelong and lifewide learning
in research and the knowledge area in partnership with other actors

18. Political context – Council of Europe
• First reference to recognition: April 1998 (Ministerial conference)
• Symposium on non formal learning (2000)
• Final Declaration of the Youth Ministers meeting (2002)
• Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on promotion and recognition
of NFE/L (2003)
• European Portfolio for youth workers and youth leaders (2006)
• Key priority 2006-2008
• Agenda 2020

19. Political context – European Union
• White Paper ‘A New Impetus for European Youth’ (2001)
• European Youth Pact (Lisbon Strategy, 2005)
• Council Resolution on the recognition of the value of non formal and informal
learning (2006)
• 8 Key Competences for lifelong learning (2006)
• EU Strategy for Youth-Investing and Empowering (2009)
• Council Resolution on Youth Work (2010)
• EU 2020 Strategy
• Council Recommendation on the promotion and validation of non formal and
informal learning (2012)

20. Political context – European Union
• COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on the validation of non-formal and informal
learning (26.11.2012)
“To ensure that by 2015 national systems for the validation of non-formal and
informal learning have been established providing the opportunity to all citizens
to have their knowledge, skills and competences validated, irrespective of the
contexts where the learning took place.”
“…four aspects of validation: the identification of learning outcomes, their
documentation, their assessment against agreed standards and finally their
certification…”

21. Youth in Action programme/SALTO T&C RC
• Youth in Action Programme of the EU (2007-2013)
• Youthpass in YiA since 2007
• The renewed European Training Strategy of the YiA programme (2011-2013)
• Youthpass for youth workers (2011-2013)
• Set of competences for trainers at European level (2011 – 2013)

22. Other related actions and processes
•Quality Assurance and quality charter (European Youth Forum)
•European Youth Work Convention 2010 in Ghent
•Symposia on Recognition of youth work and non-formal learning
•Expert Group on Recognition in the youth field
•Europass – further developments

23. Definition of youth work
…Youth work takes place in the extra curricular area, as well as through specific
leisure time activities, and is based on non-formal and informal learning processes
and on voluntary participation.
These activities and processes are self-managed, co-managed or managed under
educational or pedagogical guidance by either professional or voluntary youth
workers and youth leaders…
Council Resolution on youth work
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/educ/117874.pdf

24. Definition of non-formal learning
Non-formal learning, understood as learning outside institutional contexts (out-of-
school) is the key activity, but also the key competence of youth work. Non-formal
learning process/education in youth work is often structured, based on learning
objectives, learning time and specific learning support and it is intentional by the
learner. It typically does not lead to certification, but in an increasing number of
cases, certificates are delivered, leading to a better recognition of the individual
learning outcome.

25. Definition of informal learning
Youth work activities also provide many informal learning opportunities, as young
people learn while simply being active, being a volunteer or just being with their
peers. They learn informally in daily life and leisure time just as they learn
informally in school, at work and in family life, just learning by doing; it is typically
not structured and not intentional and does not lead to certification.
Pathways paper 2.0

26. Quality of YP: support to the educational process
Youthpass Unfolded.
Supportive website
Practical tips and
hands-on methods
for making the most
of the Youthpass
process
Youthpass in the
EVS training cycle
(now printed)
YP Guide:
Translations into HR and SI
completed

27. Quality of YP: support to recognition
Handbook: Youthpass and recognition
Unlocking Doors to Recognition essays
•Recognition of non-formal learning in
Europe. Challenges and opportunities
•Youthpass and Human Resource
Development. The missing link towards
employability
•Recognition needs zero stage. Convincing
ourselves
•The Youthpass process and Learning to
Learn. Some ideas for practitioners.
Further essays in 2013

28. YP information: tools
• The YP website, incl YP Guide
• Youthpass video part 1 and 2
• Youthpass and recognition newsletter
– So far 4 issues, 2175 recipients
• Simple leaflets „Youthpass up to date“
• Promotion of publications of others, e.g. • Further priorities by SALTO:
„Youthpass for absolute beginners“ (NA NO) – Examples and argumentation
for the impact it has made
• Articles, e.g. in Coyote Nr 18 and – Simple, „easy-to-read“
publication of the learning mobility platform information about the YP tool
(Youthpass as support for self-directed and and process
transformative learning) – Sharing of good practices
• Twitter/Facebook/SALTO web

29. Thank you for your attention!
Contact
Kristiina Pernits via kristiina@salto-youth.net
or
Rita Bergstein via rita@salto-youth.net
29