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Moreover, the project underscores the importance of youth participation in democratic processes and community engagement by highlighting commonalities among young Europeans. It establishes discussion platforms facilitated by and for youth to deepen their understanding of and improve upon EU principles and values concerning educational access. Additionally, the project amplifies the voices of young people, particularly regarding their access to education and subsequent integration into the labour market.
Funding Programme
Erasmus Youth Programme
Theme
Digital Education, Inclusion and Diversity
Target group
School Education, Vocational Education and Training, Youth
Project Reference
101090094
Date
30-11-2023 | 30-11-2025
Role of Pixel
Partner
Brochure
Project Details
Project Title
The European project entitled VI4IS – Virtual Internships for Inclusive Societies was written and coordinated by Beogradska Otvorena Skola based in Belgrade (Serbia), and it involves Pixel in the transnational partnership. The project was funded by the European Commission in the framework of the Erasmus Youth Programme. The VI4IS project improves access of young people (particularly those with fewer opportunities) to internship programs conducted within formal and non-formal education in Europe.
Context
Young people are dealing with a transition from education to employment amidst a rapidly evolving job market. Internship programs have long been heralded as a vital bridge, equipping youth with practical skills. Yet, the surge in virtual internships, facilitated by digital tools, has not been fully leveraged despite their growing importance in a post-COVID landscape and the rise of remote work.
Virtual internships offer a solution, overcoming barriers like distance and financial constraints. They require only internet access, slashing costs for both interns and companies. Moreover, they enable cross-border opportunities, enriching experiences and widening access.
To harness these benefits, concerted efforts are needed. Collaboration between public and private sectors, alongside youth organizations, can refine and expand virtual internship models. Such initiatives align with EU strategies, aiming for quality employment and learning for all youth, fostering inclusive societies, and empowering youth in decision-making.
Objectives
The main project objectives are:
• Exchanging knowledge on organizing Virtual Internships between EU and non-EU countries
• Improving access of young people, especially those coming from vulnerable and socio-economically disadvantaged groups, to internship programmes within formal and non-formal education
• Empowering youth to actively engage with decision-makers on national and EU level on youth education and employment
• Increasing visibility of virtual internship programmes
• Implementing transnational networks in the field of organization of virtual internships
Activities
The project is organized into three main Work Packages (WP).
The one that follows represents a short review of the first two of them.
WP 1. Virtual Internship for Youth Assessment and Building New Practices
Within this work package (WP) the following tasks were carried out:
WP 1.1. Organization of National Fora
Each partner, in Serbia (BOS), Macedonia(NYCM), Spain(XANO) and Italy (PIXEL) organized “National Fora” addressed to the main project target groups, i.e. young people, entrepreneurs and experts of youth policies to discuss the best strategies to implement virtual internships.
In the context above, Pixel organized 3 National Fora, involving 80 people representing the above-mentioned target groups. The for a organized in Italy were:
National Forum in Teramo [13 June 2023]
Pixel organized the First National Forum of the European project entitled VI4IS – Virtual Internships for Inclusive Societies, which took place last 13 June 2023 at ITS Academy Sistema Agroalimentare based in Teramo (Italy). The National Forum was divided into the following parts: presentation of the VI4IS project; intervention by an expert of online internships; round table aiming at defining pros and cons of the online internships. 19 participants attended the forum. They were experts in virtual internships, young students, representatives of associations, employers and employees.
National Forum in Milano [21 June 2023]
Pixel organized the Second National Forum of the European project entitled VI4IS – Virtual Internships for Inclusive Societies, which took place last 21 June 2023 at Accademia delle Belle Arti di Brera based in Milan (Italy). The National Forum was divided into the following parts: a presentation of the VI4IS project; an intervention by an expert in online internships, speech about integrating virtual and augmented reality in training/learning; and round table aiming at defining pros and cons of virtual internships. 39 participants attended the forum. They were: experts in virtual internships, young students, representatives of associations, employers and employees.
National Forum in Firenze [05 July 2023]
Pixel organized the Third National Forum of the European project entitled VI4IS – Virtual Internships for Inclusive Societies, which took place last 5 July 2023 at Centro Machiavelli based in Florence (Italy). The National Forum was divided into the following parts: introduction to the topic of the internships (onsite and online); presentation of the VI4IS project; intervention by an expert of online internships; round table aiming at defining pros and cons of virtual internships. 22 participants attended the forum. They were: experts in virtual internships, young students, representatives of associations, employers and employees.
1.2. Production of national and transnational reports on the findings of the Fora
Each partner, in Serbia (BOS) , Macedonia(NYCM), Spain(XANO) and Italy (Pixel) produced a national report on the findings of each of the fora organized at national level. Following that, the project coordinator (BOS) in Serbia, produced a Transnational report.
In the context above, Pixel produced:
- The National Report on Virtual Internships in Italy - English Version
- The National Report on Virtual Internships in Italy - Italian Version
A printed version of the National Report on Virtual Internships in Italian is also available.The results obtained during the national consultation process within the national fora were finally the objects of further consultation at the supranational level within the framework of the European Forum held in Belgrade in October 2023, the organization of which was taken care of by the project coordinating body (BOS). More info are available here.
Based on the outputs from the European event and the comparison of the various national reports, each partner in Serbia (BOS) , Macedonia(NYCM), Spain(XANO) and Italy (Pixel) produced a document entitled “National Guidelines on Virtual Internships”.
In this context Pixel produced:
- National Guidelines on Virtual Internships – English Version
- National Guidelines on Virtual Internships – Italian Version
WP 2. Applying Virtual Internship in Practice European-Wide
This work package aimed at Improving the knowledge, practical skills and access of youth, especially those coming from vulnerable and socio-economically disadvantaged groups to virtual and hybrid internship programs conducted within formal and non-formal education.
In this context, Pixel initiated the collaboration with “ITS” Academy Teramo to implement Virtual and Hybrid Internships, while the project coordinator BOS (RS) optimized and made available the “Chamilo” platform in order to enable the delivery, implementation, and monitoring of virtual internship programs. The platform has been configured to provide each member of the partnership with ”Admin” login credentials, which were shared by BOS with the partnership.
The next step was for the project consortium to develop a map of potential support structures in each country. Each partner prepared a draft on the implementation of hybrid internship programs at the national level, which was shared with the project coordinator.
The activity within the Italian framework was based on the involvement of the two training providers (Pixel; ITS Teramo) that used the “Chamilo” Platform – in the section customized for the V4IS project - for the organization of the internship programs. Belwo are some figures related to this:
- 9 Different Internship Programs
- 22 Hosting Companies involved
- 23 Young People directly involved as Interns (included those with fewer opportunities) and registered to the «Chamilo» Platform
Target Group
The main target groups of the project are:
• Young people, with special consideration for those with fewer opportunities
• Companies and employers
• Policymakers at the European and national levels
• Training Agencies
Results
Work Package 1: Virtual Internship for Youth Assessment and Building New Practices
- National Report on Virtual Internships in Italy (English and Italian Version)
- Guidelines on Virtual Internships in Italy (English and Italian Version)
- Transnational Report on Virtual Internships
Work Package 2: Applying Virtual Internships in Practice European-Wide
- Implementation of more than 120 Virtual Internship in Italy, Serbia, Macedonia and Spain
- Europe Best Practices Report