“FUTURLANDS - FUTURE THINKING IN PRESENT ACTION”

Project objectives are to raise awareness about future thinking, to highlight the importance of developing future thinking skills and to call to present action for both, young people and youth workers. Also to collect, create and practice methods and tools that helps to develop future thinking skills and motivates to take actions in a present time to create desired future.

Introduction to the topic

Description:

Future Thinking (FT) is a method and mindset that enables us to anticipate and prepare for a variety of possible futures. It involves analyzing potential events, envisioning different scenarios, and planning actions to move toward desired outcomes. FT supports conscious decision-making aimed at shaping the future proactively rather than reactively.

Importance for educators:

Working with Future Thinking helps educators develop young people’s ability to anticipate changes, adapt to them, and make decisions with long-term impact. Through FT, young people learn how to shape the future through their decisions and actions, ultimately building skills to engage confidently with what lies ahead.

Main elements and key concepts:

Adaptability: The ability to embrace change and prepare for a range of possible futures.
Critical Thinking: Analyzing trends, examining potential consequences, and understanding challenges.
Creativity: Generating innovative solutions and envisioning alternative futures.
Strategic Planning: Aligning today’s actions with future goals.

Practical Examples:

Trend Analysis: Educators can introduce current trends, such as digitalization, climate change, or technological advancements, and explore with students how these may impact their futures.
Alternative Scenarios: Encourage youth to imagine different versions of their future careers or lives in 10–15 years.

Benefits for youth and educators

For Youth:

FT fosters skills in adaptability, critical thinking, and strategic planning, which help young people handle changes and uncertainties. It also promotes a proactive approach to challenges, which builds self-confidence and a sense of agency.

For Educators:

FT equips educators with tools to guide youth in reflecting on the future, preparing them to face future challenges, and making conscious decisions.

Summary and key conclusions

Key Points:

Future Thinking is a tool for conscious and flexible planning that allows better preparation for the future.
Anticipating different scenarios helps young people understand that the future is not singular and that they can influence it.

Final Reflection:
Encourage educators to reflect on how they can apply FT in their work with youth to support their growth and preparation for the future.

Organizers and Partners

All this was done with our amazing partners:
Baltic Regional fund from Latvia
Innovative Generation from Lithuania
MindUP from Poland
CVS BULGARIA SDRUZHENIE from Bulgaria

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, European Commission or the Agency of Youth Affairs. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.