ELDeM YOU - European Life Design Method for Youth

<< Background >>The motivation for applying for the ELDeM YOU project was the urgent need to reduce the high NEET rate in Europe and to strengthen the employability of young people. Around 13% of young people in the EU are NEETs, with significant social and economic consequences. Our daily work with this target group revealed a lack of innovative, evidence-based, accessible methods and tools for life and career guidance, especially for disadvantaged youth outside formal education. The project addresses the need for modern, inclusive guidance offers for NEETs and for the professionalization of youth workers, aiming to improve social inclusion and sustainable employment opportunities for young people<< Objectives >>The main objective was to increase the employability of young people through an innovative, scientifically grounded, and target group-oriented approach to life and career guidance. Specifically, we aimed to:- Develop a basic concept for the European Life Design Method for Youth (ELDeM YOU), adapting proven Life Design methods to the needs of the target group- Create a practical, multilingual guide for youth workers to structure the application of the method with young people- Develop a freely available digital e-learning tool for both youth and youth workers- Promote inclusion, diversity, and innovation in youth work and strengthen the quality and recognition of youth work at the European level<< Implementation >>The project implemented a broad range of activities:- Three transnational project meetings (Austria, Spain, Netherlands) for coordination, strategy, and evaluation- Online co-creation workshops for target group definition, method development, and feedback collection- Development and scientific evaluation of the basic concept with 27 methods tailored to the specific target groups- Creation, testing, and translation of the ELDeM YOU Guide with 25 methods, best practices, and worksheets in five languages- Development and implementation of a digital e-learning tool with interactive modules and videos, freely accessible via the project website- Systematic dissemination via website, social media, multiplier events, newsletters, and EU platforms- Ongoing quality management and regular evaluations of project processes and outcomes<< Results >>The main results of the project are:ELDeM YOU Basic Concept: A 51-page document with theoretical introduction, target group description, and 27 methods, published in English and GermanELDeM YOU Guide: A 71-page practical guide for youth workers with 25 methods, worksheets, and best practices, available in five languagesDigital ELDeM YOU Tool: An interactive, accessible e-learning platform with five modules and videos, freely available in five languagesProject Handbook: Documentation of strategies and processes including quality managementDissemination and Quality Management Reports: Structured reports on outreach and quality assuranceMultiplier Events: Events for dissemination in all partner countries (except Switzerland)All results are accessible and free of charge, and have been positively evaluated by the target groups. The outputs will be used and disseminated beyond the project period.