NFE resources
Erasmus+ projects are based on nonformal education. It is a type of education complementary to formal education (schools, universities, etc.), and it takes place outside the formal education system. Nonformal education is based on the educational needs of students, and it focuses on providing them with practical skills or knowledge, which they usually cannot receive in formal education (or receive to a small extent). Nonformal education (NFE) also deal with the attitudes of learners.
The key characteristics of NFE:
- nonformal education activities are flexible – they can be adapted to the specific needs of learners
- structure – activities are structured in a way that they have a clear educational aim, and they are placed in a specific time framework
- often, they are led by facilitators or trainers, who take care of a safe space and facilitate and support the learning of participants
- the responsibility of learning is on learners – facilitators/trainers provide a space where learning can happen
- reflection plays a key role. Participants are encouraged to reflect on the experiences that happen during the activity and learn from them
- voluntary participation – participants are not forced to attend activities; they have a choice if they want to join a specific programme
- recognition – in Erasmus+ projects, we use the Youthpass certificate to assess what participants learnt and confirm their participation in European Commission-funded projects
- NFE activities are a part of lifelong learning – a concept that promotes learning at any age and allows participants to get knowledge/skills outside formal education systems.
The largest resource base of nonformal education methods under the Erasmus+ program can be found at: https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/toolbox/ .
SALTO-YOUTH stands for Support, Advanced Learning and Training Opportunities for Youth. It works within the Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps programmes. On the website, besides educational tools, you can find a training calendar (with plenty of trainings for youth workers based on NFE tools) – https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/european-training-calendar/.
You can also find there The Partner-Finding Tool (https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/otlas-partner-finding/), which can help you to find partners for your folklore projects (thanks to this tool, we have found partners in our youthfolklore.com project).
Below we would like to recommend you some publications where you can find meaningful activities for your daily-basis work with folklore groups.
