Open call: Facilitator, Media & Information Literacy Project Lab

SALTO Participation and Information is looking for a Facilitator for the Media & Information Literacy Project Lab, planned to take place between 23-26 May 2023 in Tallinn, Estonia. All interested experts are invited to apply by 16 November 2022.

Media & Information Literacy (MIL) Project Lab is an engaging, fun and practical event which aims to:

• bring together educators, trainers, NGOs, youth workers, active young people to exchange ideas and practices on MIL
• generate new quality project ideas together
• promote and encourage new quality of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps projects
• promote the MIL skills as a precondition for Youth Participation

Target group:

• educators (formal and non-formal), including teachers and youth workers, trainers
• youth organisations
• MIL trainers
• NGOs working on MIL and young people (project leads, staff members

Number of participants accepted: Maximum 35

Methodology:

• Interactive learning, exchange and goal-oriented
• Deep work, mentoring and support in coming to a concrete project idea and team
• Giving understanding and concepts of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps opportunities

Background information

• MIL as a precondition for effective youth participation

In our democracies, MIL competencies are necessary in order to have access to relevant and credible information, for interaction with other groups, stakeholders and decision-makers, and consequently to make effective youth participation possible. Therefore, it is necessary to develop MIL competences among all young people, but particularly with those with fewer opportunities, those from minority groups, those living in rural areas or victims of discrimination. In many projects, this promotion of MIL competences among young people with fewer opportunities for participation is combined with its promotion of social inclusion and employability.

• MIL necessary for e-participation

MIL competencies are necessary for contributing to the new arena of youth participation, so-called e-participation or digital participation. Debates, consultations, online decision-making processes, online campaigns and virtual democratic spaces are some of the activities and formats of civic participation online.

• MIL and new expressions of youth participation

The new media and information technologies offer new possibilities of expression for young people. The creative use of music, arts, video and podcasts or social media platforms are some examples of ‘new’ ways of expressing the needs and concerns of young people and therefore of online participation. In many instances, these creative uses of new expression possibilities are ideal for groups of young people who are not just socially excluded but are stigmatised and the targets of stereotypes that can be encountered ‘online’. In these kinds of projects, the need for MIL to unlock new ways of expression and for youth participation is often linked with the idea of MIL being utilised for Human Rights (e.g., actions against hate speech and online discrimination, storytelling from the perspectives of minority groups and so on).

In recent times, our global society has been hit hard by major social catastrophes – the ongoing COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine. In the context of such tragic events, people get dis- and misinformed on a regular basis. To exercise their right to participate in society, young people and youth workers have to have the right skill set, which includes the necessary MIL competencies.

Counter action is needed to prevent and minimise radicalisation, hate speech and the exclusion of anyone from democratic participation.

Requested trainer profile

• Good understanding of and experience with Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes
• Good understanding of the above mentioned programmes in the field of non-formal and formal education
• Good understanding of Media and Information Literacy and Youth Participation
• At least 3 years of active experience as a trainer and facilitator on an international level
• Very good command of English
• Very good command of online learning tools
• Very good command of interactive learning and cooperation methods
• Proacive and creative mindset
• Strategic thinker, actively suggesting approaches and solutions in designing the programme
• Reliable and responsible with agreements and deadlines

Working conditions

• Preparatory work will be done online, estimation for the online prep time is 11 working days, starting from 22 November 2022.
• One physical preparatory meeting in Tallinn, Estonia is foreseen (1,5 working days). The date will be agreed upon mutually. The accommodation and travel of the facilitator will be covered by SALTO PI additionally and is not considered as part of the fee.
• Total of full training days is total of 4 days, additionally one more preparatory day in Tallinn a day before the event. A total of 5 working days.
• Travel time (if needed) is covered upon previous agreement additionally but up to one full working day, maximum.

The SALTO Trainers fee is 320 EUR per working day, making the total fee for the facilitator maximum of 5920 EUR (Net). The exact amount is paid based upon work acts and working days/hours calculation presented to SALTO Participation and Information Resource Centre.

Team composition

• Media and Information Literacy Coordinator of SALTO Participation & Information Resource Centre
• Preparatory group of the event (consisting of National Agencies, representatives of trainers – maximum 5 people)

Stakeholders: Co-funding National Agencies of Erasmus+/European Solidarity Corps from Estonia, Netherlands, Austria. The event is co-funded from the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union in the framework of TCA (2022).

Application & selection procedure

Apply no later than: 16 November 2022

Please present your CV and short motivation letter to the Media and Information Literacy Coordinator of SALTO Participation and Information Resource Centre (Meelika Hirmo, meelika.hirmo@harno.ee) by 17 November 17:00 CET. In your CV and motivation letter, please make sure you present your skills and experience based on the section “requested profile” above. In the motivation letter, please briefly explain your motivation for being involved in this activity.

Selection process

The selection will be conducted by 3 members of the evaluation committee based on your CV and motivation letter. The evaluation committee will consider previous experience with similar events and the topics.

In case of very equal finalists (maximum 3), SALTO PI will suggest a short online call/phone call (maximum 20 minutes) to get a better understanding of the facilitator candidate. The time for the call will be previously agreed but if needed, should take place between 16–21 November 2022.

All applicants will be informed about the results by the end of the working day on 21 November 2022.

You will be informed about the selection by: 21 November 2022

For more information

Meelika Hirmo, Coordinator (SALTO Participation and Information Resource Centre)
Phone: +372 626 8911