the Paideia project is a return to practical knowledge and to learning by doing while collaborating in the improvement of your community. It is an opportunity based on the Learning and Service methodology, in which each participant will undertake and implement a specific action, under the umbrella of the Plan B Social Education Foundation, which falls in line with the core principles of the foundation, and responds to the needs of the community where it is implemented. This project will be voluntary, but involves a high level of commitment, as it will entail a profound and effective learning experience for the participating individual. The individual will be accompanied in the learning process by a member of the foundation, though unrelated to the activity itself, such that they can focus in together and reflect upon the learning process.

A Learning and Service project will be personally designed for the individual, based on their aspirations and prior experiences that can be applied to the volunteer activity. The needs of the community where the activity will be implemented will also be considered. In this vein, each volunteer activity will have a specific duration with its own aims that can be evaluated twofold: as a learning process and as a social impact project.

» To furnish participating individuals with a space where they can explore their professional skills in a practical setting.
» To provide a platform for their initiatives with Social Education as the basis.
» To facilitate their learning process and encourage it in an effective, practical, and reflective manner.
» To impact the community through the actions of the participating individuals with the aim of creating significant change.

The Paideia Project is centred around contributing to the development of professional skills, and to starting people off on their professional path and encouraging their insertion into the labour market; on the one hand, with the Plan B Foundation, as a result of their individual project and initiative, and on the other, with their own ideas as new entrepreneurs, or in other organisations that may value their experience or skills acquired through the Paideia Project.

As such, the expected profile for participants are young people with training, or the intent to receive training in the social sphere that are highly motivated to work with people and socio-educational activities. Participants are expected to be dynamic and endowed with self-initiative that aligns with the foundation’s core principles.

The duration of the learning and service project will always be temporary, and always in accordance with prior programmes, and the goals to be achieved through its activities. This helps encourage that the activities developed by the participants be personalised to the individual and to their learning goals, as well as to the moment which the community is living and experiencing when the action or activity is implemented. Establishing a defined start and end to the volunteer activity simultaneously fulfils various aims: on the one hand, we avoid filling potential job placements in a sustained manner over time, or the assistant support role for the volunteers, as in other organisations. Meanwhile, the participating individual is empowered by the fact that they are responsible for their own process and for accomplishing their own learning and service project.

All the resources necessary for implementation of the participants’ activities will be provided by the foundation, as well as access to the foundation’s structure to foster any potential proposals that may arise during the development of the project.

The monitoring plan is structured as a comprehensive process in which follow-up with the participating individuals is a key aspect, with the clear goal of developing skills and achieving professional emancipation. It is rooted in a collaboration between both parties, complemented by effective, supportive, and continuous communication regarding the dual transformation process that the volunteer activity will foster for both the participating individual and the community..

As such, the process begins with an initial meeting with the individual interested in participating with the Paideia Project so that the foundation can get to know the person, their training and skills, their aspirations, etc., and to communicate to the individual the framework of the project and the nature of the foundation.

If, after this initial contact, the person decides to participate with Paideia, she or he will draft a learning and service activity proposal that essentially answers a set of questions similar those that follow: What do I want to achieve? What do I want to learn or develop? What needs do I see within my community? How much time will I need, or do I want, to develop my project? What activities will I promote, which will I participate in? In what time frame?

The project will be jointly reviewed by both parties, considering its practical viability and its cohesion with the foundation’s vision and mission. If necessary, the warranted adaptations will be made for its implementation, according to the programming.

During the activity, the participant will be fully supported by the person in charge of the project and the team that comprises their volunteer activity. Follow-up meetings will be held approximately once a month with all the individuals participating in personal projects within the Paideia Project. The follow-up meetings will be centred around reflecting on learning as well as reviewing the activities if the need arises to implement changes over the course of the project and its adaptations.

At the end of the programmed activity, another evaluation meeting will be held to assess the entire process and to review the aims. It is at this time that the entire process will be assessed and reflected upon, potential integration with the work team or collaborations with other entities will be established, and participation in the Paideia Project will be certified and accredited.