Erasmus+ VET: Connecting Communities and Empowering Transitions
Erasmus+ Small-scale partnerships projects are supported under Key Action 2 within the Erasmus+ programme. This action aims to broaden access to Erasmus+ for smaller organisations and underrepresented groups in school education, adult education, vocational training, youth, and sport. The Irish organisation, Blackwater Training and Consulting, partnered with the Bulgarian foundation, Situational Centre Open Doors (FSCOD) to carry out the Erasmus+ Small-scale partnerships in youth project, Connecting Communities – Empowering Transitions, which took place over 10 months in 2024.
Blackwater Training and Consulting aims to address challenges in rural Irish communities, including limited access to education, employment, and essential skills. The organisation fosters community development through advocacy programmes that promote leadership and rights awareness, collaborative learning spaces for shared growth, outreach initiatives such as English courses, skill-building workshops, and international mobility opportunities that encourage global learning and cultural exchange. Through knowledge sharing and transnational collaboration, the project aimed to support the civic, social, and economic integration of Ukrainians in Ireland and Bulgaria.
Discover more about the transformative impact this project had on participants and local communities from participants Debbie and AnaMaria!
Through our Erasmus+ project, Connecting Communities – Empowering Transitions, we aimed to support the civic, social, and economic integration of Ukrainians in Ireland and Bulgaria. This involved collaborating with Local Development Organisations in Cavan to organise integration workshops, helping identify and support new community members. We also developed WebQuests, an online enquiry-based tool to teach young people about their civic duties, encourage economic opportunities, and foster social networks within the community. This project provided invaluable opportunities for knowledge sharing and transnational collaboration. It not only deepened our understanding of integration but also strengthened connections between participants and local communities.
“The biggest challenge that we have faced so far is the constant changes that exist in the lives of the Ukrainian community in both Ireland and Bulgaria. The situation changes on a daily basis and movement of individuals is regular. We have been adapting our resources to make them more accessible, in terms of creating flyers with QR codes that can be easily shared on social media. We have also found some backlash towards our project online with some people adding negative comments to our social media channels. The aim of our project is to spread positive stories and hope, integration and promote a sense of belonging.”
In March, we had the opportunity to participate in a knowledge-sharing seminar in Sofia, Bulgaria, where two of our team members learned about integration methods and techniques from our collaborating organisation, FSCOD. In August, we hosted another seminar in Ireland, featuring a local councillor who shed light on the challenges of migrant integration in Cavan.
These experiences were incredibly enriching, helping us develop cross-cultural and transnational collaboration skills, deepening our understanding of UNESCO heritage, and providing a chance to engage with Sofia’s Ukrainian community to hear and discuss their stories. Here in Ireland, our project has already trained over 20 individuals, equipping them with skills to register to vote, connect with social groups, and access online resources to support their job searches.
For FSCOD, our Bulgarian partner, the project has significantly enhanced the professional abilities of its team. Most staff members have acquired new skills through hosting events, translating materials, conducting research, and liaising with partner organisations. As the organisation is primarily staffed by displaced Ukrainian individuals, these activities benefited the team in multiple ways. They developed familiarity with the Erasmus+ programme, acquired tools to support their community, and developed qualifications to advance their careers in humanitarian and youth work, reshaping their professional paths following displacement.
As part of the project, participants had the chance to engage in transformative experiences that fostered both personal and professional growth. AnaMaria, another participant in the project, reflected on her eye-opening and rewarding journey, sharing insights into the impact it had on her perspective and skills.
“I initially felt overwhelmed by the challenge of helping displaced Ukrainian families integrate into our society. the WebQuest for job market integration provided step by step tools for creating European style resumes, which led to two participants securing their first interviews since arrival. The resources offered by the Connect project have given me the confidence that I can make a difference.”
In the long term, we expect improved levels of interaction between displaced people and host communities. The tools offered by the project aim to help displaced Ukrainians find employment, engage with their local communities through hobbies, and reduce social isolation and reliance on government assistance.
This project is a powerful testament to the impact and the transformative role Erasmus+ offers to participants and their communities. If you’re interested in learning about what Erasmus+ has to offer, explore the helpful resources below:
For more information on Erasmus+ and how you can get involved, contact our team at etd@leargas.ie.
