Maja Milas

With Burja Across Europe within the Erasmus+ Program

Learning, exchange of good practices and development of future partnerships in adult education

The mobility in Metković was carried out within the Erasmus+ accreditation in the field of adult education, as part of staff mobility, which enables us to systematically develop international cooperation, improve the quality of educational programmes, and integrate modern pedagogical approaches into our work. The accreditation represents an important strategic framework for long-term mobility planning, staff competence development, and the expansion of programmes for adult learners.

I visited Association Dobra in Metković, Croatia. The mobility was aimed at strengthening the knowledge, competences and experience of educational staff through observing the organisation of the host institution’s work, exchanging good practices in adult education, creative and ecological workshops, and promoting local cultural and natural heritage. An important objective of the mobility was the development of new project ideas and strengthening long-term cooperation between the organisations in the field of international projects and mobility of adult learners.

The mobility took place in the form of job shadowing, active participation in educational activities, field learning, professional discussions, and reflection on the methods used. I followed the daily work of the organisation in the field of adult education, work with the local community, volunteering, and project work. Special emphasis was placed on non-formal education methods, participatory learning, learning by doing, and connecting education with the local environment, cultural heritage and sustainable development.

During the mobility, I became familiar with innovative approaches to environmental protection and permaculture, which are characteristic of the Neretva Valley region, especially the concept of outdoor learning. I also learned about methods of raising awareness and educating adult participants about sustainable lifestyles. I participated in creative and ecological workshops for adults, where participants develop creativity, manual skills, sustainable thinking and a sense of community through practical work. I learned about specific methods such as the use of recycled materials in creative processes, organisation of environmental actions, field learning, and linking education with local cultural and natural heritage.

A particularly important part of the mobility was gaining insight into working with participants with fewer opportunities, including people facing social, economic or psychological challenges, such as PTSD. I learned about different approaches to involving these participants in educational activities, methods of adapting learning content, communication approaches, and ways of creating a safe and supportive learning environment. Such approaches are very important for the development of inclusive adult education based on equal opportunities, accessibility and individual support.

The mobility enabled me to acquire many new knowledge and competences in the field of adult education, especially pedagogical approaches for working with the target group, project work and international cooperation. I improved my competences in planning and implementing participatory workshops, outdoor learning, community learning, project idea development, and integrating sustainable and creative content into educational programmes. I also strengthened my organisational and coordination skills, particularly in activity planning, time management, teamwork and cooperation in an international environment. An important part of the mobility was also the development of communication competences, intercultural dialogue and cooperation with local partners and organisations.

During the mobility, we also devoted some time to the development of future projects and long-term cooperation between the organisations. Together we developed ideas for new Erasmus+ projects, especially in the field of cooperation partnerships (KA2), mobility of adult learners, group mobilities, projects in the field of cultural heritage, sustainability, social inclusion and intercultural dialogue. We discussed possibilities for developing joint adult education programmes, exchanges of participants and staff, and joint activities in the field of sustainable development and work with the local community. I also presented in detail the advantages of the Erasmus+ accreditation that we hold in the field of adult education to the host organisation.

The mobility significantly contributed to strengthening the strategic and long-term partnership between the organisations, as we established deeper cooperation, exchanged concrete experiences, and defined directions for future joint work. Such mobilities are very important because they enable direct learning in practice, development of new working methods, transfer of good practices to the local environment, and development of high-quality international projects.

An important aspect of the mobility was also networking with local stakeholders, organisations, cultural workers and other professionals, which further contributes to the development of international cooperation and new project ideas. In this way, the international dimension of adult education is strengthened, as mobilities enable organisations to connect, exchange knowledge and develop joint programmes based on sustainability, inclusion and intercultural dialogue.

The mobility in Metković was an important learning and professional experience for me. It represents a step towards the development of new adult education programmes, teaching approaches, long-term partnerships and future mobilities for adult learners and staff, which we will continue to develop in the future.

Once again, I would like to thank the hosts for their warm welcome!