By adapting Montessori principles for adult learning, the project promotes a learner-centred approach based on respect, autonomy and emotional support. The model encourages active participation and creates more meaningful learning pathways for young women facing barriers.
Work Package 3 · Open Interactive Education Resources
Training Curriculum for the MAYA Project
A responsive web version of the presentation, structured for direct use on a project website. The curriculum supports disadvantaged young women, especially NEET learners, through Montessori-inspired adult learning.
4
Partner countries: Türkiye, Austria, Portugal and Italy
7
Core modules covering Montessori-inspired adult learning
2
Main target levels: frontline professionals and institutional stakeholders
Flexible
Suitable for non-formal, vocational, blended and mentoring contexts
Project overview
The MAYA Project: Empowering Young Women Through Montessori Training has been designed to strengthen personal development, social inclusion and professional growth for disadvantaged young women, particularly those who are not in education, employment or training.
- Primary: youth workers, adult educators, trainers and professionals working directly with disadvantaged young women, especially NEET learners.
- Secondary: policymakers, NGOs, community organisations and training centres that can integrate the curriculum into wider programmes.
Consortium contribution
The curriculum is grounded in a multinational partnership that combines adult education, youth empowerment and social inclusion expertise across four countries.
Strong experience in youth engagement and practical work with young people.
Expertise in curriculum development, structured training design and project management.
Innovative approaches to community learning and participatory educational practice.
Valuable experience in adapting Montessori principles to adult learning contexts.
The role of the curriculum
This curriculum is not a supporting annex. It is the central educational instrument that converts project objectives into usable practice across partner countries.
Why it matters
✓
Provides one common training framework across all partner countries.
✓
Supports quality, consistency and transferability of methods.
✓
Adapts Montessori-inspired approaches to adult learning environments.
✓
Creates a sustainable resource usable beyond the project lifetime.
Operational value
The curriculum also forms the basis of the Guide for Personalised Learning. This helps trainers tailor educational responses to individual learner needs and supports wider project goals on inclusive education, equal opportunities and long-term social change.
Seven curriculum modules
Together, these modules form a complete training programme that equips youth workers with practical methods and supports young women in taking ownership of their learning journeys.
Personalisation and Co-Design of Education
with observational learning.
Learner-centred pathways, observation routines and co-design with participants.
Open moduleParticipatory Approach
and communities of learners.
Participation, peer support and learning communities that strengthen belonging.
Open moduleIntellectual Stimulation
of young adult learners.
Critical questioning, reflection and problem-based learning for deeper engagement.
Open moduleDevelopment of the Senses and Tactile Approach
including technologies.
Sensory learning, tactile methods and complementary digital tools.
Open moduleEmotional Intelligence
and social-emotional learning.
Self-awareness, empathy, communication and responsible decision-making.
Open moduleMonitoring Progress
through observation and assessment of adult learners.
Supportive, formative monitoring and reflective assessment methods.
Open moduleCreation of a Personal Educational Plan
for tailored learning pathways.
Structured planning, milestones and learner-owned educational roadmaps.
Open moduleWhat the curriculum delivers
This training curriculum is one of the project’s main outputs and is intended for direct use by youth workers, trainers and professionals supporting young women with educational and labour market barriers.
Main features
- Structured content for implementation in real learning environments.
- Practical tools and innovative methodologies for meaningful engagement.
- Combination of theory, face-to-face practice and digital resources.
- Usable in community centres, vocational settings, non-formal education and blended platforms.
Main aims
- Equip educators to run learner-centred, participatory sessions.
- Support young women in building confidence, autonomy and transferable skills.
- Encourage personalised learning pathways adapted to individual needs.
- Promote social-emotional growth and community involvement.
Curriculum introduction presentation
How to use the curriculum
The curriculum is designed for flexible implementation. It can be integrated into existing programmes or used as a standalone training framework.
Youth centres, NGOs and community projects can organise workshops and training sessions using the modules as a ready-made structure.
Trainers can integrate selected modules such as the Personal Educational Plan or Emotional Intelligence into VET delivery to support employability.
The curriculum works in both face-to-face and online settings, combining interaction, facilitation and digital tools.
Trainers can use the personalised learning guide to create bespoke learner pathways and individual support plans.