BEST Institute for vocational training and personal training GmbH

GARDEN your educational life –

a new learning environment and opportunity to access education and improve employability for young disadvantaged adults in Europe

Background

All over Europe, unemployment rates for young adults (16-25) have reached an alarmingly high level and recent forecasts are not positive. That is why adult education and VET providers need to react in an innovative way. By introducing a new (outdoor) learning environment and applying a holistic approach, this project takes advantage of the overall concept of nature and gardens and offers new .didactic concepts and pedagogical instruments.

Aims and target group

The project is focused on “education-resistant” groups like young disadvantaged learners, who have had frustrating experience at school and/or with conventional training delivery, and connects elements of general adult education with such of vocational training. By employing innovative methods in a new learning environment, educators are able to reach young, low level educated learners, in a better way. Project outcomes contain new motivational concepts which shall help learners improve their educational level and gain new access & chances for the labour market.

Products

  • ‘GARDEN Didactic Manual’ for teachers and trainers, as well as non-educational facilitators of informal learning environments
  • ‘GARDEN Toolkit’ with practical indications how to improve communication, social and personal skills
  • ‘GARDEN Platform’ to share information and expertise

All products will be available in all partner languages (German, Spanish, Icelandic, Latvian and English) and will have an impact on adult education and VET provision in the partner countries and beyond.

EU-Program: LLP, Grundtvig Multilateral Projects
Coordination: BEST Institut für berufsbezogene Weiterbildung und Personaltraining GmbH
Contact: Karin Kronika
Duration: November 2011 – October 2013
Website: www.garden-project.eu
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.