Author: PM

On October 13th, nine youth workers met in the offices of KulturLife gGmbH in Kiel to discuss the results and impressions they got from the previous two phases of the Youth Workers Needs Assessment, which consisted of a survey and self-tests on critical thinking and digital competences, as well as an introduction to the tiny habits method.

While the overall impressions of the results of the survey and self-tests were positive, the discussion on Tiny Habits and methods to increase empathy in general proved to be more varied. Tiny Habits were deemed to be an effective tool for those already familiar with self-improvement methods- and a promising approach for more complex behaviour changes the longer the Tiny Habits are used. Coming out of this conversation, the group then discussed the feasibility of role-play methods to encourage empathy among youngsters. Here as well, the consensus was that the efficiency and effectiveness of the method depends on the educational context it is being used in. Overall, the discussion was seen as a fruitful input and exchange of ideas.

On the 25th of September, IZB conducted their Youth Workers Assessment for the Digital4All project. Five Youth workers from different organizations from the region Upper Styria East were joining the workshop. The youth workers were discussing issues on critical thinking, tiny habits and digitalization. Different methods were used, in order to get deeper into the three topics. Critical thinking and digitalization were two topics, which affect the daily youth work a lot. So, the contribution to these topics was very fruitful. Furthermore, the methodology tiny  habits were presented and the youth workers see a perfect use for this methodology in the project Digital4All.

On October, 4th 2023, the second activity within the Digital4All project was held in Austrial, by IZB. A focus group with five young migrants from Turkey, Iraq, Serbia and Rumania  took part. The aim was to evaluate the main barrieras and facilitators, as perceived by young migrants themselves in identifying relevant information online and in navigating responsably and reliabely through digital information. The information gathered will be of great value, as they will influence the development of the Digital4All Capacitation Training, that aims, ultimaly, to adress the main difficulties and needs of young migrants in identifying reliable information online, with approaches and strategies that best fit migrant’s experiences, perceptions and available resources.

On November 27th 2023 the Digital4All Focus Group with Young Migrants took place in Nicosia (Cyprus) by CARDET. The objective of the Focus Group with Young Migrants was to assess the digital experiences, habits, preferences and strategies of young migrants in Cyprus related to online information navigation, critical thinking, and media literacy. Five young migrants collaboratively engaged in an open-ended discussion focusing on five (5) key themes: I. Experiences of Migration, II. Access to Information, III. Experiences of Disinformation and Fake News, IV. Evaluation of Online Information and V. Perspectives on the Digital4All Training Program. The invaluable insights collected from this discussion will play a pivotal role in shaping one of the key anticipated outcomes of the Digital4All project – the Training Program for Youth Workers. This program is designed to empower youth workers with the necessary skills to enhance the digital competencies of migrants and foster critical thinking in assessing the reliability of information circulating online. Ultimately, this initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and contribute to the overall well-being and integration of migrant populations.

On November 10th 2023 the Digital4All Youth Workers Assessment took place in Nicosia (Cyprus) by CARDET. The objective of the Youth Workers Assessment was to discern the primary perceptions, overall perspectives and knowledge that youth workers possess regarding critical thinking, the tiny habits approach and the digital competencies framework. Four (4) youth workers came together from diverse fields and walks of life and indulged in an open discussion. This discussion involved the identification of obstacles and factors to the effective detection and management of disinformation online. The insight gathered will serve as the basis for one of the primary expected results of the Digital4All project: the development of a Training Program for Youth Workers which ultimately aims to equip youth workers with the skills to enhance migrants’ digital competences and critical thinking in assessing the reliability of information online.

On November, 8th 2023, the second activity within the Digital4All project was held in Portugal, by RightChallenge. A focus group with four young migrants was hold, with an average age of 24. The aim was to evaluate the main barriers and facilitators, as perceived by young migrants themselves in identifying relevant information online and in navigating responsibly and reliably through digital information. The information gathered will be of great value, as they will influence the development of the Digital4All Capacitation Training, that aims, ultimately, to address the main difficulties and needs of young migrants in identifying reliable information online, with approaches and strategies that best fit migrant’s experiences, perceptions and available resources. 

Last October 9th 2023, RightChallenge conducted their Youth Workers Assessment for Digital4All project. As youth workers represent significant support systems for the successful integration of migrants in a country that can be totally new and different to them, the project aimed, as a first step, to develop working group sessions in each partner country to assess the main needs, knowledge and overall perspectives these fundamental human resources hold on topics related to critical thinking, motivation, tiny habits approach and digital competences. 

Five Youth workers from RightChallenge and from diverse fields and experiences joined in the working session of Portugal. The brainstorming sessions results will be of fundamental value to the development of the upcoming activities: the development of a Training Programme, aimed at youth workers with intervention in migrants integration, in order to capacitate them with the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills on cultivating critical thinking, motivation and digital competences of migrants, so they can enhance their intention and abilities in assessing information online, and further build their online resilience.

The Digital4All Focus Group involving Young Migrants was conducted in Lund, Sweden, featuring the engagement of 6 migrants representing diverse backgrounds and nationalities on 23rd of November 2023.  Additionally, 4 youth workers actively participated in the focus group session. The primary goal of the focus group was to gain insight and gather data from migrants regarding their daily life experiences in Sweden, their host country. Participants were specifically queried about the tools they utilize and areas in which they require support or guidance. Through these interactions, the migrants offered valuable perspectives that contribute to the D4All project.

On September 28, 2023, the Youth Workers Assessment occurred at Ideon Science Park, Mexpert’s office in Lund, Sweden, as part of the Digital4All project. Four youth workers, with diverse backgrounds aimed at promoting inclusivity, participated in this assessment, leveraging their substantial expertise in the field of youth work. All of them are actively engaged as youth workers in international institutions. The primary objective of the Youth Workers Assessment was to evaluate the knowledge levels of youth workers in critical thinking, the methodology of Tiny Habits, and Digital Competences. To achieve this, online tools such as Skillsyouneed and mydigiskills were used. Upon analyzing the gathered results, it was observed that the competence level of the youth workers was, on average, satisfactory. However, some specific areas highlighted the need for further training. 

NGO «Non-formal education for youth» conducted Youth Workers Needs Assessment which was took part in Dnipro with the participation of 5 young workers.

The goal was to identify perceived growth points for critical thinking and the relevance of a capacitation training concerning the key-concepts. Youth workers noted that many people already talk about critical thinking, and how many different activities help young people develop it: debates, MAN, Model UN, forums and other formats.

Let us put aside doubts about what seems 100% true to us. For example, news, the words of an expert or books with history. Preparedness before doubts – the first period before verification of information, before analysis, before evaluation, and before re-interpretation.

These perceptions are aligned with the expected to be developed results of the Erasmus+ “Digital4All – Building a Digital Word for All”, which include a capacitation training, targeted to youth workers, to train their abilities in enhancing critical thinking of migrants using participatory and qualitative approaches.