The Beginning

Project launch with definition of research strategy and tools for analyzing Youth Work in partner territories. Coordinators, Non-Formal Education experts and researchers laid the foundations for a two-year journey of educational innovation.

First Transnational Meeting

Partner organizations met to define research methodologies and tools. Intense narratives emerged about intercultural education, complex personal experiences and reflections on the working conditions of professional educators in each country.

Field Research

In Rome, 14 interviews and 3 focus groups were conducted at aggregation centers, multifunctional centers and educational facilities in suburban areas. Organizations involved included CIES onlus, Pontedincontro, Civico Zero, Associazione 21 Luglio, Arci Solidarietà, Caleidos and others.

The research highlighted how the youth worker figure, defined at European level, is not yet fully integrated into the Italian institutional educational system. Only since 2017 has the professional educator figure been recognized at national level through the Iori law.

In total, about 15 focus groups were conducted with young people aged 14 to 24 from various European countries involved. 143 young people were included and 68 interviews were conducted with educators and youth workers.

Key findings included: the large amount of false information on the web and difficulty in online interaction with strangers. Cyberbullying was recognized as a real problem in the online space.

Evaluation Meeting in Bucharest

Partner organizations discussed research results at the Faculty of Geography – University of Bucharest, hosted by partner organization Universitur. They analyzed strengths and weaknesses, laying the groundwork for creating the youth workers’ handbook.

Intercultural Training

International training in Passignano sul Trasimeno at “La Buona Terra” estate managed by Kora association. Educators, youth workers and teachers from 5 European countries tested the collected educational activities.

Objectives: inform about research results, test effectiveness of educational activities, create connections among educators to promote intercultural learning online and offline at local level.

Local Testing in Rome

Thanks to the local network in Rome and province, Lunaria was hosted by Liceo Classico Linguistico e Scienze Umane “Marco Tullio Cicerone” in Frascati, youth aggregation centers “Luogo Comune” and “I Ragazzi del Muretto” by Arci Solidarietà, center “Il Muretto” by cooperative Santi Pietro e Paolo onlus, and multifunctional center Pontedincontro.

Multiplier Event – Casa del Volontariato

On April 15, 2024, the HOTSPOTS project’s final event was held at Casa del Volontariato in Rome. The morning began with project presentation, followed by work tables where educators and youth workers discussed challenges and new educational perspectives.

The afternoon was dedicated to practical testing of activities and the HOTSPOTS board game, open to all interested young people. Participants learned by playing, experiencing an approach that combines digital and experiential learning.

Final Evaluation in Barcelona

Partner organizations gathered in Barcelona, hosted at Casa Spirituale di San Filippo Neri. During two intense days, project managers reflected on results achieved and discussed opportunities offered by intercultural learning through Smart Youth Work and Digital Youth Work.

Everyone agreed that, although the project is officially concluded, much work remains to be done. The path in youth training and intercultural learning is long and full of challenges.