A unique non formal learning tool “8KEYCOM”

Youth unemployment is still one of the crucial European issues and it is estimated that 1 in 5 young people throughout the European Union is currently jobless. The effects of this issue are even more substantial when it comes to youth with fewer opportunities, whatever obstacle they might be facing.
At the same time, as our research** has shown, education systems fail to provide skills needed for today’s labor market, thereby creating a gap between what employers want and what the youngsters can offer in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Nonformal education has proven to be powerful in fulfilling this gap, providing youth the opportunity to enhance their competitiveness in a learning process that is participatory, engaging and enables their personal and professional development.

Hence, within the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership Project “Enterprising and surprising through 8 key competences” (ES8KEYCOM) we developed, designed and created 9 educational games aimed to develop each one of the 8 key competences as set in the European framework (communication in a mother tongue; communication in a foreign language; mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology; digital competence; learning to learn; social and civic competences; sense of initiative and entrepreneurship; cultural awareness and expression) and gathered them in an innovative and unique tool “8KEYCOM”.

The usage of this tool is multilayered as the games are suitable for different environments and the possibilities of their modifications and adjustments to anyone’s specific needs are countless. All of the games were also made on 2 levels of difficulty which enables their usage among people that are absolute beginners in the competence development field, as well as among those who want to further improve some of the competences.

The tool is interactive and the playing process ensures a fun and participatory experience resulting in a deep understanding of the 8 key competences concept and their development.  The overall design that includes debriefing and evaluation phase enables the players to link it with their personal life and future plans. The learning happens spontaneously as the youngsters get reveled in playing acquiring the knowledge and skills in an appropriate and learner-centered level.

The tool is followed with a manual coming in 5 different languages – English, Latvian, Estonian, Spanish and Croatian, that contains full description of each game along with supporting materials enabling youth workers, trainers, other non-formal learning practitioners and youngsters all over Europe to use it and increase their employability while also developing a stronger sense of belonging to European community.

The games along with the manual and all other supportive materials are available on our website www.8competencesgame.com in a user friendly format adequate for printing free of charge.

The tool was developed by project consortium – the Baltic Regional Fund from Latvia as the project beneficiary, and AC Amics de la Biblioteca de la Fonteta from Spain, MTÜ Edela Eesti Arenduskeskus from Estonia, and Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from Croatia as partners.

We are convinced that this tool will bring a positive change in the way we address competence development that will affect the raise of employability among youth throughout Europe. Enjoy the game!

 

If you want to know more about this project, link to www.8competencesgame.com

 

 

**Read the full research text here

**Lee el resumen de la investigación en español aquí

REPORT RESEARCH_ES