Life skills can be defined as abilities that enable humans to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. They may also be called psychosocial skills, as they are psychological in nature and include thinking and behavioral processes. Others define life skills as behavioral, cognitive, or interpersonal skills that enable individuals to succeed in various areas of life (Hodge, Danish, & Martin, 2013).
Sustainable life skills have a substantial effect on all aspects of life, especially social environment, and business life. Soft skills include most of the important abilities such as problem solving and the ability to work in a team. These skills are particularly important in sectors where social relation is of high importance for the delivery and quality of the work. In this respect, in the EU, disadvantaged groups including migrants, marginalized groups and low/semi-skilled adults are the most vulnerable part of the community in terms of lacking sustainable & soft skills or mindset.
Concrete Objectives Sustainable Cafe Project is framed around empowering adults and an interactive process of high-quality learning opportunities for disadvantaged adult groups, including low-skilled/low qualified, marginalized, socially excluded adults and migrants. Sustainable Cafe Project aims to support sustainable skills mindset as well as social inclusion which will enable these adults to acquire knowledge and to develop attitudes and skills which support the adoption of vocational skills and as a result help them navigate through in a business environment.
Our Project aims to provide opportunities for the development of a sustainable life skills mindset for Low Skilled Adults and help gain them relevant knowledge to improve soft skills and gain sustainable competences. Sustainable Life Skills Café understands that adult education organisations, trainers, and support structures such as chambers or incubators, are put in a position to sustainably professionalise their services and increase their impact. By actively supporting the potential active work force in disadvantaged groups, we aim to create an important impact for the regional economy.
The term ‘Life Skills’ refers to the skills you need to make the most out of life. Any skill that is useful in your life can be considered a life skill. Tying your shoelaces, swimming, driving a car and using a computer are, for most people, useful life skills. Broadly speaking, the term ‘life skills’ is usually used for any of the skills needed to deal well and effectively with the challenges of life.
Defining Essential Life Skills
Life skills can be defined as abilities that enable humans to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. They may also be called psychosocial skills, as they are psychological in nature and include thinking and behavioural processes. Others define life skills as behavioural, cognitive, or interpersonal skills that enable individuals to succeed in various areas of life (Hodge, Danish, & Martin, 2013).
To clarify, life skills are often broken down into three types (Prajapati, Sharma, & Sharma, 2017):
Thinking skills: This might involve being able to think of multiple solutions to a problem or develop new innovations in a creative way.
Social skills: This might involve knowing how to develop healthy relationships, how to communicate in effective ways, and how to interact with others successfully.
Emotional skills: This might involve being comfortable in your own skin, dealing with emotions effectively, and knowing who you are.
The Importance of Life Skills
Research suggests that developing life skills may help reduce drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. It may also reduce aggression and violence (Botvin & Griffin, 2004). In addition to these bigger outcomes, life skills can just make life a bit easier. When we can regulate our emotions effectively and develop enduring, supportive relationships, we’re happier and healthier. Therefore, developing life skills is key not only to being successful in life, but it’s also key for our health and well-being.
Examples of Life Skills
According to several key organizations including UNICEF, UNESCO, and WHO, the following are the basic life skills (Prajapati, Sharma, & Sharma, 2017):
Of course, these skills overlap, with each of them aiding and supporting the others. There may also be other life skills and there may be subcategories of life skills within each of these basic life skill types.
To read more head to https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/life-skills.html
The European E-learning Institute (EUEI) is committed to providing high-quality learning experiences and innovative educational programmes which engage learners from a range of sectors and socio-economic backgrounds. EUEI is committed to promoting social cohesion, inclusion, and sustainability across Europe, making them a perfect fit for the Sustainable Life Skills Café Project.
Our experienced team of trainers, researchers and technical experts are uniquely placed to guide educators from VET, HEI, Adult and Youth sectors to harness the opportunities that innovative and collaborative e-learning and digital tools offer for learners.
We specialise in the delivering of high quality, responsive and innovative projects to educators and learners in the topics of pedagogic approaches, entrepreneurial competences, digital skills, inclusion, and sustainability.
Meet our Climate Champions at EUEI working on the SFEC project
Canice Hamill- Managing Director
Canice has worked in the field of lifelong education for over 20 years and is recognised as an expert in instructional design and the development of e-learning solutions for education and training. A former trainer and lecturer, Canice utilises a holistic approach to creating innovative, interactive learning environments and works closely with tutors, trainers, and development teams, emphasising the importance of empathy and user experience in every learning solution.
Our Logician -Innovative Inventors with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge
Catherine Neill- European Project Manager
An experienced EU project manager, Catherine is an integral member of our team. She is an effective communicator and has a strong background in areas of Inclusion. The oldest of 5 children Catherine quickly learned how to lead the pack, utilising organisational skills alongside her passion for helping others, she is committed to making the world a more accessible, sustainable, and friendly place.
Our Protagonist -Charismatic and inspiring leaders, able to mesmerise their listeners.
Aine Hamill- European Project Officer
Aine plays an important role in the learning design and subsequently in evaluating the effectiveness of our eLearning products on completion. Aine is always keen to engage with her creative side and implement the newest digital tools, pedagogies, and trends into our e-learning solutions. She is passionate about finding effective and relevant ways to engage learners from all walks of life.
Our Defender-dedicated and warm protectors, able to implement ideas and “create order from chaos”.
Including our key role in the initiation of the SFEC project we will also work tirelessly alongside our project partners to deliver the highest quality project results as possible. Within the project EUEI will develop the project website and be responsible for the technical realisation of the materials.
Learn more about EUEI here:www.euei.dk
