From 2 to 4 February 2023, the University of Thessaly hosted the Youth Work in Schools (YWIS) Transnational Project Meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece. The event brought together representatives from Greece, Portugal, Finland, and Estonia to share experiences, visit innovative educational institutions, and plan the next stages of the project.
Welcoming Session and Partner Presentations
The meeting began with a warm welcome and team-building activities that encouraged participants to get to know each other through creative ice-breaking games. The hosts presented the meeting agenda and objectives, setting a collaborative tone for the following sessions.
Partners from Estonia’s SNTK introduced their schools’ initiatives on democracy education and citizenship, highlighting the importance of cooperation and student participation.
The Portuguese partner, EPAMAC, focused on promoting personal development, social responsibility, and a safe, supportive learning environment through free and open education.
Visit to the Public IEK of Thermi
One of the first visits took place at the Public IEK of Thermi, where participants met with students and faculty members. The visit included a cooperative lunch prepared by the students, who demonstrated their culinary skills by blending traditional Greek dishes with international cuisine. The lunch concluded with a hands-on lesson in making the famous Greek tyropita (cheese pie), led by students specializing in Greek gastronomy.
Youth Engagement and Innovative Practices
The Finnish partner, representing the Urheilupuiston Koulu in Mikkeli, presented student-led initiatives such as Politics Day, Climate Action Week, and Participatory Funding Projects. The school actively collaborates with local and global partners including the Youth Council, UNICEF, Allianssi, and Amnesty International.
The second day featured study visits to the Big Bang School and the School of Nature. Participants observed how both institutions integrate innovative and experiential learning methods — using technology, outdoor learning, and creative exploration to enhance student engagement and wellbeing.
Youth Projects and Management Discussions
ActionAid and IEK Delta presented their youth projects, focusing on social inclusion, gender equality, and vocational education. The presentations inspired participants to reflect on ways to integrate social responsibility into youth work and educational practices.
During the administrative session, partners discussed dissemination and communication strategies, agreeing to launch a YWIS newsletter and organize online meetings with local partners. WP2 tasks were defined — each country will collect at least 20 examples of good practices, complete consent forms, and contribute to the upcoming Handbook of Good Practices.
A financial management team was also formed, including members from Greece, Portugal, and Finland, to prepare the first six-month financial report. It was decided to reschedule the Estonian TPM to September 2023 and the Finnish TPM to January 2024.
Final Day: Educational Commons and Inclusion
The final day focused on presentations from the COMPRA Project and partner organizations such as ARSIS, which works with refugee and migrant children. Discussions explored democratic citizenship, inclusion, and innovative pedagogical practices such as Educational Commons, creative writing, and commons-based education models.
The meeting concluded with reflections on the shared experiences and a commitment to continue promoting inclusive and democratic youth work in schools across Europe.
Summary
The Thessaloniki meeting strengthened the collaboration between partners and provided valuable insights into inclusive education and innovative teaching methods. Participants left inspired to apply new ideas in their local contexts and continue building strong bridges between schools and youth work.