Triple the Impact: Our Journey with 3 Levels UP in Erasmus+

Our adventure began in the stunning surroundings near Dilijan, embraced with picturesque mountain tops and deliciously green forests – the story of one training course in Armenia, by Nina Horvat.

Download a special magazine edition about the training course.

International cooperation from the beginning

From the start, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. Anna Yeghoyan, a dynamic trainer known for her passion and grace, led our sessions. Her enthusiasm was infectious, making even the most complex topics easy to understand. Right beside her was Marcus Vrecer, who added a fun twist to the learning process, ensuring that everyone was not only learning but also having a great time.

Gyumri’s “Youth Initiative Centre” NGO from Armenia (YIC), in collaboration with Nouveau Départ NGO from France, hosted an 8-day international training course on Project Design and Management. This course was a game-changer in the field of youth work, giving youth workers the tools to shape their professional future and take responsibility for their communities.

Quality for Erasmus+ key action 1 projects

Youth work is crucial in addressing the various challenges European society faces today, such as youth unemployment, refugees, and migrants. Youth workers and civil society organisations adapt to these challenges with innovative approaches, making the recognition of Youth Work and Youth Workers as professional sectors vital. This is where “3Levels UP in Erasmus+” came into play, focusing on enhancing the quality, impact, dissemination, and monitoring of Erasmus+ KA1 projects. The goal was to help project managers design educational activities within KA1 projects, emphasizing quality, monitoring, learning, and evaluation.

During our time at the training course, we delved into three key aspects:

  1. Designing and structuring KA1 projects
  2. Ensuring quality in KA1 projects
  3. Monitoring, learning, and evaluating KA1 projects

The training was based on non-formal learning principles, which was a significant aspect of its recognition. YIC’s experienced project team supported the participants’ learning processes and helped them plan how to apply their new skills and knowledge in real-world scenarios.

A trainer perspective

Marcus Vrecer, the trainer from Austria, shares his perspective on the training:

The training course focused on an important issue: making sure Erasmus+ learning mobilities are high-quality and impactful, which is often a problem in many projects.. By addressing this, it strengthened the abilities of our participants to design and run meaningful and impacting projects in the future. Another important part of the training was the participation of people from civil society organizations from neighbouring partner countries. This led to a very touching moment: two participants were from Sumy, a town in northeastern Ukraine, close to the Russian border. Sumy is frequently shelled and attacked, the war strongly affects daily life there. Our Ukrainian participants showed us pictures of people they knew personally, who were killed in the war.

They shared stories about each person and their connection to them. This open and brave sharing by our Ukrainian participants, along with the conversations that followed about the realities and challenges in our daily lives, created a deep human connection among us, and it helped us to understand, care, and support each other more. Apart from the learning and political education that took place intellectually and through critical reflection, it was equally a core moment for our hearts, that I think will stay with many for us for a long time. And these deep and touching encounters, moments and connections among us, that stay with us and affect our attitudes and future actions, are exactly why Erasmus+ projects of volunteering, meeting other people and learning with values are so important and needed more than ever.”

The project brought together 24 eager participants, all aged 18 and above. These individuals were involved in various roles, such as project managers, coordinators, European Solidarity Corps coordinators, youth workers, and mobility project coordinators. There was a mix of newcomers to Erasmus+ and people with experience, driven by a strong motivation to engage in a mutual learning process within a vibrant intercultural setting.

A participant perspective

It was truly exciting, considering that this project was first for some people, like Catalin from Moldova for example. Here’s what he says about it:

Being part of an Erasmus+ training in Dilijan, Armenia, was a truly special and memorable experience. As it was my first Erasmus project, my emotions and excitement were at their peak. I had the opportunity to learn new things and enrich myself both personally and professionally. During this project, I met extraordinary people from various countries, each bringing with them unique stories, perspectives, and different cultures. These interactions broadened my horizons and provided me with new friendships and valuable connections.

The most special aspect of this experience was that it was my first Erasmus project. This marked a turning point in my life, opening my eyes to the multitude of opportunities that such international programmes offer. Dilijan, with its picturesque landscapes and welcoming atmosphere, was the perfect place to begin this journey of discovery and development.

Highlights of the process

We visited the Youth Cooperation Centre of Dilijan. This welcoming and active NGO not only promotes EU values in Armenia but also empowers young women in Dilijan by providing entrepreneurial opportunities. Their enterprise, known for its handmade bags and pencil cases, sells these beautiful creations all over the country, showcasing the incredible talent and determination of these young artisans as well as giving a solid platform through their annual DiliTON festival to the artisans and craftsmen of the region.

One of the highlights of our “leisure moments” was visiting the Haghartsin Monastery. We surrendered to the delicious gata pastries, trying unique flavours like apricot and thyme, and blueberry and lemon. We shared beautiful moments over ice cream and even managed to crawl through the old tree that blesses you and brings you luck. Even after this light yet culturally rich trip, we continued our work with renewed strength and motivation.

The value of group learning

Beatriz, a participant from Spain representing her Estonian hosting organisation says:

There were many memorable moments for me in the training thanks to the fantastic trainers and the fantastic group of participants. It is difficult to single out just one, but if I had to choose only one from the programme I would highlight the session on project design and management, where we were given various tools and project premises that were a bit crazy but fun to exercise with. I found it extremely useful, as well as the session on Erasmus+ key action 1: application and assessment.

It wasn’t just about the formal training; the personal interactions and shared experiences made the event truly special. I had the opportunity to facilitate a session focused on creating dissemination “products” to promote the results of our project and assist NGOs in presenting their partnership outcomes. We produced a video, podcast, illustration, and article. Through these, we aimed to share our experiences not only through structured learning but also from the heart, and who knows, maybe even to inspire others to implement this practice into their project programs as well.

Estela, participant from Lithuania shares:

For me, the most exciting aspect was witnessing the high quality of the training course. Most aspects of preparing an Erasmus+ project were discussed, and practical steps were taken to outline the projects and connect with potential partners. I was surprised by the generosity of both the trainers and participants in sharing online and offline resources for project management and mobility opportunities. The board of useful AI tools for various stages of bringing the project to life was especially handy for me. I was also surprised to see the organization from my country, Lithuania, partnering with the women-run social enterprise in Dilijan and executing numerous projects. It proved to me that there are no boundaries to creativity, connection, and collaboration if a common interest and purpose are present: if there’s a will, there’s a way!

“3Levels UP in Erasmus+” training course didn’t just enhanced our professional skills; it also fostered a sense of community and shared purpose. The beautiful location near Dilijan, combined with the vibrant energy of the trainers and participants, made this an unforgettable experience.

see other:

In today’s fast-paced world, young people face a multitude of challenges that can impact their emotional well-being. From academic pressures and social …

In the heart of summer 2023, I joined a group of volunteers from all over Europe for a project called “Hopeland” in …

The youth exchange opened my eyes to a world beyond the ordinary, filled with diverse perspectives and possibilities that enhance individual awareness …