Cooltour

Inclusive Youth Information Award category

Organisation

Rõuge Youth Work Center

Country

Estonia

WEBSITE

Project link

https://www.instagram.com/cooltourproject/

General Overview

The Cooltour project aimed to develop future skills in young people by utilising cultural heritage as a learning tool. Through trainings, study visits, a hackathon, and a youth exchange, participants created practical tools to support youth work. These materials were compiled into a ready-to-use toolkit, including a backpack with printed resources.

The project targeted young people, youth workers, cultural workers, and educators, offering them new perspectives on using traditional culture in modern youth development.

Cooltour was implemented by Rõuge Noorsootöö Keskus, which operates seven youth centres and has a strong background in international youth work. The project highlighted international opportunities, increasing youth motivation to take initiative and shape their environment. As a result, the organisation began focusing more on youth participation, providing more decision-making power to young people.

Green principles were integrated into all activities, including using public transport, sorting waste, and conducting online meetings to minimise the environmental impact. The project was supported by the Erasmus+ programme, and Eurodesk awareness was promoted throughout the activities.

Cooltour successfully raised awareness about international youth work and Eurodesk opportunities, enriching youth work with new tools and innovative approaches.

Thematic Category Correspondence

(50 points max)

How does this initiative (project, event, material) correspond to the thematic category

Cooltour aligns with Creative Youth Information, as it introduced a unique approach to developing future skills through cultural heritage. The project went beyond traditional information-sharing methods, offering hands-on experiences and practical tools that could be used in youth work.

Interactive approach: Instead of lectures or printed materials, participants co-created tools, making learning engaging and relevant.

Diverse formats: The project included trainings, study visits, a hackathon, and a youth exchange, ensuring varied learning experiences.

Tangible results: A toolkit was created, providing a long-term resource for youth workers and educators.

By combining creativity, youth engagement, and innovative learning methods, Cooltour effectively expanded access to international opportunities and made youth information more engaging and applicable.

Impact

(30 points max)

How did your project impact young people / your community?

The impact of Cooltour extended beyond the direct participants, influencing youth, youth workers, and the broader community:

For young participants:

They gained new perspectives on cultural heritage as a tool for personal and professional development.

They developed problem-solving, collaboration, and creative thinking skills through interactive activities.

The project inspired them to take more initiative, leading to stronger youth participation in decision-making processes.

For the youth work community:

The toolkit and materials created in the project enhanced the quality of youth work.

Youth workers gained practical resources that could be implemented in their own programmes.

The project strengthened local and international collaboration, leading to more future opportunities.

For the broader community:

Awareness of international youth programmes and Eurodesk increased.

The project promoted the use of cultural heritage in innovative ways, encouraging greater appreciation for traditions.

Overall, Cooltour helped bridge the gap between traditional and modern youth work, empowering young people with new skills, knowledge, and opportunities.

Green Focus

(10 points max)

Did your project have any green focus and/or did you implement any eco-friendly measures when organising it?

Environmental sustainability was a core principle of the project:

Eco-friendly transportation: Participants were encouraged to use public transport such as buses and trains.

Waste reduction: Waste was sorted and recycled during activities.

Digital meetings: Planning meetings and pre-event sessions were held online, reducing travel-related emissions.