Integration of Non-Formal Learning Approaches into the Formal Education by Peer Learning of Teachers and Youth Workers

Abstract

This article aims to summarise long-term set of projects with common “Brand” InFormal. The described projects took place from 2015 to 2019 and were funded by Erasmus+: Youth both Key Action 1 and 2. This article is a summary rather than a description of the individual projects. The main focus of the projects was the integration of non-formal learning into the formal education, and the projects noted in the paper were sets of training courses where participants were educators and practitioners from both the formal (teachers, etc.) and the non-formal sphere (free time educators of extracurricular activities, youth workers etc.). This created a unique sharing environment and clash of ideas where participants themselves were often creators of the content (after receiving methodological background). In this article, we described what we understand as formal and non-formal learning and education and how it was used during the mentioned projects. Later in the results section comments on individual projects are shared. The discussion of results leads to the conclusion that the way of integrating formal and non-formal as outlined projects did is an excellent way to create mutual understanding for both teachers and the youth workers. It is also the way to gain most from both worlds and a way of giving the competence to educators to use the appropriate approach when necessary.