2020 VISION – Identifying Methods of Improving the two-way participation between established and new communities

2020 VISION, funded under the EU Lifelong Learning Programme's Leonardo da Vinci strand (2013-2015), partnered the Blind Assistance Foundation (Poland), Greta Loire Morvan (France) and the Higher Institute for Family Studies/Odisee, to train professionals and volunteers working with vulnerable people, using a broad definition of vulnerability (language barriers, disability, learning problems, caregiving/work/study conflicts, poor digital competence, financial barriers, lack of social-network support, low socio-economic status, low self-esteem).

Improve two-way participation between established and new communities and inclusion in lifelong learning and employment by increasing the capacities of those who work with vulnerable people.

Each partner organisation developed its own specific objectives and activities targeting relevant key competences, exchanged information about good practices, and jointly developed a training programme for coaching professionals and volunteers to work with a vulnerable target group.

The process resulted in seven common guidelines: (1) bring teachers/students/volunteers together to talk about vulnerability, (2) recognise signals of vulnerability, (3) be aware of your own vulnerability as a professional, (4) provide a comfortable environment for vulnerable groups, (5) keep teachers and trainers motivated, (6) give teachers/trainers tools to work reflectively with vulnerable groups, (7) focus on strengths as well as weaknesses.

Key learning points emphasised focusing on a severely excluded social group, learning legal rights, and the use of digital tools in learning and teaching.