In the framework of the VOLUME project, in the last 6 months, the project partners carried out research and interviews in order to have a complete picture of the needs of volunteers and unaccompanied minors. The aim is to develop training material in order to give them the key competences needed to work with unaccompanied minors and thus guarantee a better and more effective support for minors in their integration path and their personal and educational growth.
Research, interviews and questionnaires conducted in recent months revealed a lack of targeted training for volunteers working with unaccompanied minors, as well as some basic needs for which minors need more support from volunteers and professionals.
The areas in which the greatest challenges for volunteers emerged are related to:
- psychological and emotional support in – and for – their work;
- advanced digital skills for working with unaccompanied minors;
- responsibilities and limits of their role;
- knowledge of the culture, traditions, customs and traditions of the countries of origin of the minors;
- knowledge of governmental support services and tools for children and how to use them (legal, medical, educational/training, etc.).
The areas in which the main needs of unaccompanied foreign minors emerged are related to:
- learning the local language;
- orientation in the host society;
- knowledge of useful services and tools (legal, medical, educational/training, etc.);
- psychological support.
Based on the needs and challenges identified for both actors involved in the project, the VOLUME partners developed a Comparative Report, which highlights the challenges and needs and shows the main areas where both volunteers and unaccompanied minors need more support.
The Comparative Report is available at this link:
Thanks to this Comparative Report, the VOLUME partnership is now working on the development of training modules based on the areas of intervention indicated in the report.
For more information about the training modules or the project please contact giulia.siino@cesie.org or read the project factsheet.
About the project
The VOLUME Project – Volunteers for Unaccompanied Minors get Educated, a Key Action 2 – Strategic Partnership for Adult Education, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, aims at bridging this educational gap, providing volunteers with the necessary key competences for the care of unaccompanied foreign minors and at the same time providing adequate training material for educators delivering training courses for volunteers and for professionals seeking non-formal training in these areas
Partners
- Verein Niedersächsischer Bildungsinitiativen e.V. (Germany, coordinator)
- SYNTHESIS CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION LIMITED (Cyprus)
- uniT- Verein für Kultur an der Karl-Franzens- Universität Graz (Austria)
- JMS Training Solutions (United Kingdom)
- CESIE (Italy)
For further information
Read more about VOLUME.
Contact Giulia Siino: giulia.siino@cesie.org.
