Work Visit Report
Białystok, Poland | 21–25 January 2025
Introduction and Purpose of the Work Visit
The work visit carried out between 21 and 25 January 2025 constituted a key milestone in the early phase of the project implementation. The meeting represented the first in-person transnational encounter of the project partners from Bulgaria, Poland, and North Macedonia, taking place prior to the start of the practical implementation phase. As such, the visit was conceived as a foundational activity aimed at ensuring strategic coherence, methodological alignment, and a shared understanding of the project’s conceptual framework.
The primary purpose of the work visit was to coordinate efforts and ideas among partners, facilitate the exchange of good practices and professional experience, and initiate an in-depth discussion on approaches for working with marginalized young people, particularly those facing social exclusion and barriers to employment. Given the early stage of the project, a strong emphasis was placed on reflection, comparison of national contexts, and the identification of both opportunities and challenges related to youth activation and inclusion across the participating countries.
The visit also served to strengthen partnership relations and foster mutual trust among organizations, which is considered essential for effective transnational cooperation. By combining structured working sessions with study visits and intercultural activities, the program enabled both formal and informal exchanges that contributed to a deeper understanding of institutional practices, societal contexts, and shared European challenges.
Overview of the Program Structure
The work visit officially spanned five days, with the first and last days dedicated to international travel. The substantive program activities took place on 22, 23 and 24 January 2025 in Białystok and its surroundings.
The working agenda included:
- A coordination meeting of project partners
- Expert presentations and thematic discussions
- Methodological exchange on approaches to working with marginalized youth
- A study visit to an educational and vocational training institution recognized for good practices in combating social exclusion
- Selected cultural activities aimed at intercultural exchange and partnership strengthening
The following sections describe the activities in chronological order, with a particular focus on the professional content and outcomes.
January 22, 2025 – Coordination Meeting and Project Alignment
3.1 Opening of the Coordination Meeting
The first working day began with the official opening of the coordination meeting, hosted by the Polish partner organization. The opening session set the overall framework for the meeting, reaffirming the project’s objectives and emphasizing the importance of close cooperation and mutual learning among partners at this early stage.
Special attention was given to the role of the project within the broader European context of social inclusion and youth employment. The partners underlined the necessity of developing approaches that are both methodologically sound and adaptable to local realities, while remaining aligned with European priorities and policy directions. The meeting was framed as a space for open dialogue, critical reflection, and joint problem-solving, in line with the preparatory phase of the initiative.
January 23, 2025 – Expert Presentations and Methodological Discussions
The second working day focused on expert-level discussions and methodological exchange related to the implementation of the Multiple Intelligence model. Building on the coordination outcomes from the previous day, partners engaged in structured presentations and in-depth discussions aimed at clarifying roles, refining methodological approaches, and identifying potential challenges in practical implementation.
The discussions supported a shared understanding of the methodological framework and created a solid basis for the subsequent adaptation and testing phases in each partner country.
Presentation on European Experiences in the Inclusion of Marginalized Youth
Prof. Rubin Zemon (North Macedonia)
A central contribution to the meeting was the presentation delivered by Prof. Rubin Zemon, Chairman of the NGO and Head of the Macedonian project group. The presentation focused on an online research study examining the experience of selected European countries in addressing social exclusion and labor market integration of marginalized youth.
The presentation began with a conceptual overview of social exclusion, highlighting its multidimensional nature and the specific vulnerabilities faced by marginalized young people. These vulnerabilities were discussed in relation to education, employment, socio-economic background, and access to institutional support. The speaker emphasized that exclusion is not merely an individual issue but a structural and systemic challenge requiring coordinated policy and societal responses.
Subsequently, the presentation introduced the European Commission Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021–2027, outlining its key priorities, strategic objectives, and relevance for projects targeting disadvantaged youth. The Action Plan was presented as an important policy framework guiding European efforts toward inclusive societies and equitable access to opportunities.
The comparative analysis focused on Germany, Austria, Italy, and Spain, examining national approaches, institutional arrangements, and support mechanisms for marginalized youth. Across the analyzed countries, the presentation highlighted persistent difficulties related to effective inclusion, despite the existence of developed policy instruments and support structures. The findings underscored the complexity of translating policy intentions into tangible outcomes for young people, particularly those facing compounded disadvantages.
The main conclusion of the presentation emphasized that support systems alone are often insufficient without sustained engagement, inter-institutional coordination, and individual participation. These insights were presented as highly relevant for the project, offering a valuable evidence-based foundation for subsequent methodological discussions.
Methodological Considerations in Selecting Focus Group Participants
Presentation by Atanas Georgiev (Bulgaria)
The next presentation addressed the methodological aspects of selecting participants for focus group work within the project. The presentation emphasized the importance of carefully defined selection criteria to ensure both ethical standards and the effectiveness of group-based interventions.
The approach presented focused on balancing inclusivity with group coherence, taking into account factors such as age, employment status, educational background, motivation, and readiness to participate. Psychological and ethical considerations were highlighted, including informed consent, safeguarding, and the management of group dynamics when working with vulnerable populations.
The presentation also stressed the need for flexibility and contextual sensitivity, acknowledging that selection methods must be adapted to national and local realities. The methodological input served as a basis for further discussion among partners, particularly regarding how to operationalize these principles during the implementation phase.
Exchange on Polish Institutional and Governmental Practices (discussion moderated by Krzysztof Sawicki)
The subsequent session featured an in-depth contribution from the Polish partner, focusing on governmental and institutional support mechanisms for young people. The presentation provided an overview of the Polish system of youth activation, outlining the wide range of opportunities available, including educational pathways, vocational training, and employment support measures.
At the same time, the presentation critically addressed existing challenges, particularly the difficulty of communication and coordination between institutions. Despite the breadth of available programs, fragmentation and bureaucratic complexity were identified as significant obstacles, both for service providers and for young people navigating the system.
This contribution was particularly valuable for comparative reflection, as it illustrated both the potential and the limitations of well-developed institutional frameworks.
Extended Partner Discussion on Opportunities and Challenges
Following the presentations and moderated by prof. Krzysztof Sawicki an extensive discussion took place among all project partners. Representatives from Bulgaria, Poland, and North Macedonia shared insights into their respective national contexts, focusing on governmental measures, institutional actors, and practical experiences related to the activation and support of young people aged 18–35.
The discussion revealed strong similarities in challenges across the three countries, despite differences in institutional structures. Partners identified common issues such as individual disengagement, socio-economic barriers, and the gap between policy design and lived experience. A key point of convergence was the recognition that institutional efforts, while necessary, cannot substitute individual agency, and that successful inclusion requires active personal participation alongside supportive societal structures.
The depth and relevance of the discussions led the partners to dedicate more time than initially planned to these exchanges. This extended dialogue was considered highly productive, as it allowed for a nuanced understanding of shared challenges and reinforced the value of transnational cooperation.
The later discussion on the topics focused on the role of non-governmental organizations in counteracting social exclusion. Partners explored concrete examples of NGO-led activities, reflected on their potential impact, and discussed how such approaches could be adapted within the project framework.
January 24, 2025 – Study Visit and Observation of Good Practices
Study Visit to an Educational and Training Center
On the third working day, participants took part in a study visit to the Educational and Training Center Podlaska Wojewódzka Komenda OHP, an institution recognized for its work in combating social exclusion through education and vocational training.
The visit was guided by the Director of the center, who provided a comprehensive tour of the facilities. Participants visited various workshops dedicated to different professions, including cooking, hairstyling, garment production, and construction-related skills. The tour offered a detailed insight into how practical vocational education is combined with broader educational support.
The center’s approach was presented as a holistic model, addressing both educational attainment and the acquisition of practical work skills. The process of supporting young people throughout their learning pathway was explained in detail, including guidance, skill development, and preparation for entry into the labor market.
During the subsequent discussion, the Director presented outcome data illustrating the effectiveness of the center’s work. It was highlighted that 63% of participants find employment after completing their training, while 27% secure employment directly in the profession they studied. These results were received with strong interest by the project partners and sparked reflection on the transferability of such practices to other national contexts.
Cultural Activities and Intercultural Exchange
In addition to the working program, the agenda included selected cultural activities, such as visits to local cultural sites and attendance at a classical music performance. These activities were understood as a mandatory and integral component of transnational work visits, contributing to intercultural exchange and partnership strengthening.
The informal setting of cultural activities provided opportunities for continued dialogue, reflection on the working sessions, and the building of interpersonal relationships among partners. These moments supported mutual understanding and facilitated communication, which are essential for effective collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
Outcomes and Conclusions
The work visit resulted in a number of important outcomes. Partners reached a shared understanding of the project’s conceptual foundations and agreed on the importance of continued methodological reflection before entering the implementation phase. It was agreed that all presentations and materials would be shared among partners and further analyzed at national level, with the aim of adapting relevant ideas and approaches to local contexts.
Overall, the visit was assessed as highly enriching and successful. It strengthened cooperation among partners, deepened mutual understanding of national realities, and provided valuable inspiration for the forthcoming implementation phase. The combination of structured professional exchange and informal interaction created a solid basis for continued joint work and effective project delivery.
THE REPORT WAS DEVELOPED UNDER THE PROJECT MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION – MI4SI, № 2024-1-BG01-KA220-YOU-000249568, FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION UNDER THE ERASMUS + PROGRAMME, KEY ACTIVITY 2, “COOPERATION PARTNERSHIPS”, SECTOR “YOUNG”.
