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Erasmus+ project - CRAFT- preparing young people
from rural areas for the jobs of the future
The CRAFT project is an Erasmus+ funded initiative that helps young people expand their knowledge about
labour market trends, 21 century jobs, different career opportunities, entrepreneurship, self employment,
st
coworking and the circular economy through a training program and a 3D virtual world platform with games
that enhance learning. Coworking is promoted as a manner of synergy, harnessed to solve local problems
and to produce a societal impact.
their awareness about the changes in the labour market
and society, and how they affect skills and jobs.
The training platform is freely accessible in English. The
materials can be used by the learners individually or in
a group mode (in cooperation or as a competition by up
to five players at the same time). The modules can also
be integrated in training or career guidance seminars for
young people.
Learning activity
CRAFT’s target groups are young people (18-25) from
European rural territories as well as mentors, counselors The “Building future-looking work environments in rural
and co-working managers. The project is implemented areas” youth mobility event took place in Dubrovnik in
by various organisations and institutes from Poland, Croatia in September 2021. 17 motivated young people
Slovenia, Italy, Greece, Norway, Croatia and Bulgaria. from the partner countries attended the training and
visited collaborative working spaces, took part in De-
3D virtual world - getting settled in a village sign Thinking workshops and in a Lego@Serious Play
contest. The participants were introduced to the training
The learners can test and further develop their knowl- modules and piloted the CRAFT 3D virtual world. They
edge in the 3D virtual world with game challenges, freely provided very positive feedback on the overall experi-
accessible through the platform. It offers an engaging ence and the products developed by the partnership.
way to improve various competencies, such as critical
thinking, decision making and problem solving. The project ended in July 2022. In the final months, the
partners presented the project results at national hack-
The 3D Virtual world transfers players into the envi- athons where young people, local organisations, youth
ronment of the ‘Green Village’ – and creates a unique trainers and career guidance professionals discussed
immersing experience, combining emotional and social ideas and prototypes of future-looking collaborative
learning. Players use their avatar to move, interact and work environments.
overcome various challenges, thus testing the knowl-
edge obtained in the training modules available on the
platform. The story puts the player in the role of a young
person who settles in a village, which struggles to sur- For more information, see
vive by establishing a coworking space. https://craft-project.eu and on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/EUprojectCRAFT
The virtual journey includes seven educational adven-
tures which apply elements of digital educational escape
rooms and create a highly engaging learning experience.
Nevena Rakovska, Project Manager,
The players have to demonstrate their understanding Business Foundation for Education, Bulgaria
about the essentials of coworking places; identify busi- Krasimira Karaasenova-Dimitrova,
ness ideas which have potential in rural areas; and show Euroguidance Bulgaria
Euroguidance Insight Magazine Issue 2/2022