On 14. – 15. September 2023, project partners from Portugal, Finland, Greece, and Estonia gathered in Kuressaare, Estonia, for the latest transnational project meeting. The two-day event focused on reviewing the project’s progress, clarifying upcoming tasks within the work packages, and enhancing collaboration between partners.
The meeting began with an opening session where participants were welcomed and introduced themselves, as several new members had joined the team. Everyone shared their expectations and feelings about the project, creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere that set the tone for the rest of the meeting.
Administrative Issues and Communication Plan
During the discussions, partners emphasized the need to complete and submit the Mid-Term Report by 15 November 2023. The consortium also agreed on a joint social media plan: the Portuguese team designed a common visual background for project posts and will manage the project’s Instagram account. The Estonian team will oversee the website and blog, collecting updates from partners monthly. It was agreed to publish one post per week, highlighting project activities, partners, best practices, and other relevant topics.
Work Packages and Upcoming Steps
Under WP2, partners have so far collected 64 good practices out of the planned 80. The jury will continue reviewing and selecting the final set. WP3 — testing the best practices — will begin in December 2023 and continue throughout the next school year. Two online workshop days are planned for January or February 2024.
WP4 focuses on blended training and e-learning materials, with Part A to be completed in October 2023 and Part B in May 2024.
The next transnational project meeting will take place in Finland from 31 January to 4 February 2024. The Finnish team will provide information on transport and accommodation for all participants.
World Café Workshops and School Visits
One of the most inspiring parts of the meeting was the World Café held at Kuressaare Youth Centre Noortejaam, where participants discussed wellbeing, youth work, and digital tools. Four workshops were organized — Podcast, Youth Work in Schools, Mobile Youth Work, and Minecraft — allowing participants to explore each topic through 20–25-minute sessions.
Foto: Liis Kaal
Partners also visited Kuressaare Nooruse School, the largest primary school in Saaremaa and a local project partner. The school’s youth worker introduced the school’s wellbeing initiatives, and participants took part in a robotics lesson. In addition, the group visited Kuressaare Vocational School to learn about their support systems for student wellbeing.
The final day concluded with optional visits to either Kaarma Campsite — a venue for youth camps — or Kuressaare Castle, known for its fascinating exhibitions and historical value.
Meeting Outcomes
The partners agreed on several key next steps:
- The jury will continue selecting and finalizing the list of good practices.
- The social media plan has been launched, and the first posts will be published soon.
- Preparations for the upcoming online workshops have started.
- Communication among partners has improved significantly.
The meeting was highly productive and helped the team gain a clearer understanding of the project’s progress and goals. Participants noted that it strengthened collaboration and provided new ideas and confidence for the next phases of the project.