PALS - Leonardo da Vinci - Transfer of Innovation

PALS - Leonardo da Vinci - Transfer of Innovation

Project Description

Basis for the PALS project was transfer of innovative and proven operating products from the UK to emerging markets in Turkey, Latvia and Poland. The main objective was tools transfer and adaptation. It was useful to develop society counseling and involvement skills. This was particularly relevant because of the fact that social counseling became more widely used in processes integration as formal planning procedures in the European Union. For example, in the UK since September 2005 "The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act" from 2004 indicated that a mandatory part of the planning process was public consultation about each of the proposed action. Essential for professional experts to reach a wider public participation was access to proven methodologies, techniques, good practices in increasing public involvement. This required new additional skills and competencies in professions such as planners and experts in social development. Reaching wider public was particularly pointed in the communities direct management, which for many was new and did not constitute a substantial part of the training.

The project aimed to facilitate and encourage all people to take an active part in their local community. The project transferred technology and tools that were previously tested in the UK and implemented on Polish, Turkish and Latvian ground. Each country held workshops conducted by experienced English trainers. Participants, coaches, employees of public administration and NGOs, led the cascade trainings. Purpose of that was to more people became familiar with new techniques aimed on participation in social life of local communities.

"Learning by doing" includes work on real problems and focusing on the science and currently implemented solutions. This is a form of learning by actions. It provides a well-tried methods of accelerating learning which enables people to effectively deal with difficult solutions. "Learning by doing" proves that the learning needs knowledge and insight inquiries. Small groups are used in order to focus on challenge and support. Individuals learn better with others when they can deal with individual problems.

The process integrates:

• study (what is unclear),
• science (what is unknown),
• action (to resolve the issue)

in a single activity while developing an attitude aimed at asking questions in order to help individuals and organizations to change themselves in the rapidly changing world.

Partners

• OAKE Europe (coordinator),
• Danmar Computers Poland
• institutions of Latvia and Turkey.

PALS guide is available to download  in PDF format.

More information can be found on the project site.