T-Kits (Training kits) are a product of the Partnership Agreement on European Youth Worker Training run by the CoE and the European Communities Commission

T-Kits (Training kits) are a product of the Partnership Agreement on European Youth Worker Training run by the CoE and the European Communities Commission

In 1998, the Council of Europe and the European Commission decided to take common action in the field of youth. Both institutions initiated a partnership agreement with the aim "to promote active European citizenship and civil society by giving impetus to the training of youth leaders and youth workers working within a European dimension". In 2003, additional agreements were signed in the fields of "youth research" and "Euro-Mediterranean youth co-operation". Since 2005, the partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth activities has focused on the following topics: European citizenship, human rights education and intercultural dialogue, quality and recognition of youth work and training, better understanding and knowledge of youth and youth policy development. The partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth brings together the two institutions' experience in non-formal education, youth policy, youth research and youth work practice. Activities organised within its framework gather representatives of those areas who share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of enhancing evidence-based policy, practice, quality and recognition of youth work and training. Results and other material are made available on the partnership website (http://youth-partnership-eu.coe.int) and in various publications, including the Training Kits (T-Kits). T-Kits are thematic publications written by experienced youth trainers and experts and constitute easy-to-use handbooks for educational activities. All activities and publications enhance the exchange of experience and good practice between the actors involved and contribute to the implementation of the political objectives of both partner institutions.

The co-operation between the two institutions covers a wide spectrum of activities and publications, including the Training Kits. T-Kits are thematic publications written by experienced youth trainers and constitute easy-to-use handbooks for use in educational activities

T-Kits (Training kits) are a product of the Partnership Agreement on European Youth Worker Training run by the CoE and the European Communities Commission

T-Kits are a product of the Partnership Agreement on European Youth Worker Training run by the European Commission and the Council of Europe. Most publications in the series look at particular topics but this one, T-Kit 6 concentrates on the training process itself. The topics covered are: the context of training including matters such as roles, ethics and competencies; training in teams; the process of educational and logistic planning; the process that emerge in action and what they mean to individuals and groups; what sh9ould happen after training to facilitate a long-term effect.

Today, there is an ample and nuanced understanding of what social exclusion is, the groups of young people affected by it, its long-term impact on young people’s lives and how comprehensive policies can address it. In contrast to when the first edition of this T-Kit was published, in 2003, there is now a common understanding that youth policies and research should provide a strong base for youth work to reach out and support young people with fewer opportunities. This revised T-Kit aims to equip youth work practitioners with broad knowledge of the concepts of social exclusion and inclusion, as well as things to consider when engaging in youth work with young people with fewer opportunities. The practical part of the T-Kit includes a range of projects, approaches and activities to inspire youth workers, covering the five “A”s: 1. Awareness of the realities of social exclusion, 2. Access to empowering and inclusive activities, 3. Action and support mechanisms for inclusion, 4. Accreditation and recognition of experience, progress and achievement and 5. Advancement, laying down supportive stepping stones towards inclusion.