Project Overview
Project Reference: –
Status: Completed
Duration: April 1, 2018 – January 31, 2021
EU Grant: €149,994
Programme: Erasmus+
Action Type: Strategic Partnerships for Youth
Countries Involved: Italy, Turkey
Background
Young people who take part in local volunteering often gain valuable skills, but these are not always recognised. GloCal Recognition was created to solve this issue by developing a system that certifies the competencies acquired during volunteering. The system is based on an earlier platform, Global Recognition, which was used to validate international volunteering. GloCal adapted this idea for national contexts in Europe and Turkey.
Objectives
The project had several key goals. It aimed to improve the support given to volunteers at the national level and ensure they receive proper recognition through a GloRe Certificate. It also sought to create an easy-to-use certification system, supported by online learning tools. Another goal was to strengthen cooperation between Turkish and European youth organisations and promote high-quality volunteer management practices.
Implementation
The project began with a needs analysis, carried out from May to September 2019. Over 200 young people and 30 organisations in Italy and Turkey were consulted through surveys and interviews. Based on this input, experts created the first version of the GloCal Recognition system. Meanwhile, two study visits in Milan and Istanbul allowed participants to explore best practices in volunteering and youth work.
Key Activities
The core phase of the project included a pilot test of the recognition system. Between October 2019 and January 2020, over 120 young volunteers tested the certification platform. In November 2019, a training course was held for 20 volunteer mentors and NGO representatives. During this “Multipliers Course,” they learned how to use the system and how to support young people in applying for the GloRe Certificate.
Results
The main output was the creation of a multilingual e-learning and certification platform, available in English, Italian, and Turkish. The platform includes online training modules and a system for generating certificates. The final version of the tool was refined based on user feedback and was officially presented at the “Fa’ la Cosa Giusta!” fair.
Impact
GloCal Recognition helped increase the visibility and value of local volunteering. Young people now have a way to demonstrate the skills they develop, which can support their studies, careers, or future volunteering. NGOs in Turkey and Europe benefit from a ready-to-use system that improves their volunteer programmes. The project also built a strong partnership network for future collaboration in youth work and certification initiatives.
