The DevelopMENS project continues to make significant progress in its mission to foster personal and social development among youth through innovative educational approaches. As part of the project key deliverables, partners are currently collaborating on the development of a academic article that synthesizes findings from field research and theoretical analysis.
The article represents both a scientific output and a strategic tool for informing future educational practices and policy recommendations.
The forthcoming academic article serves as an intellectual cornerstone of the project, integrating insights from Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Intrinsic motivation and Soft skills development.
The research is grounded in focus groups conducted with young people across participating countries, alongside a thorough literature review and content analysis of current educational methodologies.
One of the key conclusions emerging from the draft is the necessity of embedding self-determination theory and intrinsic motivation within educational programming, especially to empower youth to navigate complex social challenges and media environments with critical awareness. The article will be published electronically in English and in the languages of all partner organizations, ensuring wide accessibility and relevance across diverse educational contexts.
Additionally, the finalized article will be presented at the International Conference hosted by Heimerer University in September 2025, providing a significant opportunity for dissemination among academics, practitioners, and policy-makers. Given the scope and depth of the research, the article is being prepared for submission to a peer-reviewed academic journal. Several journals have been identified as suitable outlets based on thematic relevance and submission timelines.
Parallel to the academic work, the projects digital platform is nearing completion. During the latest coordination meeting, L’Orma, BSDA, and BRAVO met with developers to review platform readiness. The system is nearly finalized and will soon begin hosting learning modules, youth stories, and trainer resources. BRAVO will follow up with the developers to address pending issues and communicate any need for technical support from consortium partners.
The project will soon launch two sets of Virtual Exchange (VE) programs:
Virtual Exchange (VE) program for Trainers that will:
- Conducted entirely in English
- Managed by New Vision, who will oversee scheduling, content development, moderation, and reporting
- Full schedule to be proposed and approved during the June 2025 meeting
Virtual Exchange (VE) program for Youth Participants that will:
Partners will soon decide whether these exchanges will be conducted collectively in English, or in national languages, to improve accessibility for disadvantaged and marginalized youth. This discussion will help ensure that no participant is left behind due to language barriers, aligning with the project’s inclusive values. To strengthen the projects digital visibility, each partner will submit one content item per month to Vere Montis, which is responsible for curating and posting on Facebook and Instagram. Monthly reminders will be sent to facilitate timely content sharing and engagement.
The DevelopMENS project is entering a critical phase where evidence meets impact. With a well-structured academic article underway, an advanced digital platform nearing launch, and multiple avenues for dissemination being explored, the project is poised to offer meaningful contributions to the field of youth education and empowerment. The collaborative commitment among partners continues to be the backbone of success, ensuring that knowledge, once produced, is also effectively shared and applied.
As we move forward, we invite educators, youth leaders, NGOs, and academic communities to follow our journey—and to contribute to building educational systems that prioritize motivation, autonomy, and human development.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
DevelopMENS is a transnational project that brings together a consortium of partners from 6 different countries, including Italy (L’ORMA – applicant), Croatia (Vere Montis), Bulgaria (BSDA) (Programme Countries) and Bosnia (BRAVO), Albania (New Vision), and Kosovo (Heimerer College) (Region 1 – Western Balkans Countries).
The project aims at enhancing the personal and social development of young people through the integration of self-determination theory, critical thinking, and media literacy into formal, non-formal, and informal education. It involves conducting scientific research and focus groups on self-determination theory, intrinsic motivation, and soft skills, developing educational content based on the research findings, and creating a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to disseminate the knowledge and skills acquired.
In addition to the MOOC, the project will also organize virtual exchanges among youth workers, psychologists, educators, and young people. These exchanges will be an opportunity for stakeholders to share good practices and exchange ideas on how to integrate self-determination theory, critical thinking, and media literacy into formal, non-formal, and informal education. These virtual exchanges will also facilitate intercultural learning and provide a platform for young people to develop their soft skills, such as communication and teamwork.