Summary:

The project will significantly improve the quality of youth work by developing a structured 9-month programme for 32 young people from Slovenia and Croatia, combining over 120 online and in-person sessions with continuous monitoring of progress. Using the BadgeUp recognition system, participants’ achievements will be transparently documented. The project introduces innovative methods such as four accountability groups, enabling peer support and progress tracking while each participant develops a final product that addresses real challenges in their community. A comprehensive set of 12 digital badges will recognise key competences—ranging from project management and communication to ethical leadership and emotional intelligence—making participants’ learning more visible and valued. Through the acquisition of strong leadership skills, participants will improve their employability and gain tools to engage other young people in their initiatives. Their 32 final products will directly benefit local communities, involving at least 320 community members in testing and feedback. Finally, the project will strengthen international cooperation through a concluding meeting in Zagreb and invite participants to co-create a mobile app for the badge system, supporting the long-term sustainability of the BadgeUp initiative.