„Building synergies and sustainability …“

Международен Младежки Обмен
„Building synergies and sustainability among youth centers“

 

Summary:

Youth Clubs or Centres vary in their activities across the globe, and have diverse histories based on shifting cultural, political and social contexts and relative levels of state funding or voluntary action. Although youth have long been leaders in social change efforts, today’s young people are increasingly supported in this work through youth organizing programs. Through our project we will look at the role that youth centres play in the development of young people. During our weeklong youth exchange will focus on the range of activity that is offered but also how the many functions of youth work come under the umbrella of youth centers. As today’s Youth Service continues to develop its professionalism it is important not to forget or underestimate the immensely valuable work undertaken by the many thousands of volunteers who give freely of their time to both assist paid staff, and run numerous other community youth projects across Europe without whom many groups and organisations would be unable to deliver services to young people. Volunteers from within the local community are often the link between the young people, the organisation and the community and are at times a vital source of local information and knowledge. The international economic crisis that started in 2007 has had deleterious effects in several EU Member States. The main immediate effects of the current economic crisis include unemployment, the impoverishment of the population and emigration. The request for social aid has significantly increased. The impact of the economic crisis and the impoverishment of the population have had a substantial effect on activities related to youth, especially to youth centers. On a broader level, the worsening economy can impact funds for public schools and community youth centers, which are seeing their budgets constrained just when their services are needed the most by youth and families. That’s why Loutraki Youth Center has decided to implement this project so we will give the tools and space for dialogue to youth and youth centers representatives to discuss about solutions that will offer sustainability and building synergies among youth centers to overpass crisis. For our project we have decided to cooperate with five partner associations from Cyprus, Latvia, Spain, Lithuania and Bulgaria which will be implemented in Loutraki, Greece from 22nd until 29th September 2017. During our project we will have the chance to transform Loutraki
municipality library to a lively youth center with the valuable help of our participants.

Intercultural night:

We usually dedicate two nights to the intercultural evening presentation.
What we expect from you to present in these nights are: local or national dances, local music, games, little sweets, drinks, pictures, etc. from your countries.
Every country will prepare a short presentation of their culture, using all kinds of methods. It’s preferred a short and FUNNY presentation, such as showing pictures and commenting it, quiz, short video (either already existing or made by you), etc. (YES – use your creativity!). For the intercultural night, we ask you to prepare in advance a brief performance (singing, your traditional music, popular dances) to present your group (typical costumes are really welcomed!).
The main idea of this presentation is: What is important for a stranger to know about my country?
Any kind of presentation is granted, better not to do a power-point presentation to avoid yawning.
The Intercultural night is the “most wanted event” on the beginning of the youth exchange. It is a sort of traditional night opened to all participant audience made up of our group leaders, youth workers, facilitators, participants to the exchange. All National groups are asked to perform briefly (10 min for your NGO and country/city not more, and 10 min for traditional dances and music) in order to introduce their self. Certainly, we need your enthusiasm and energy!!
For the Intercultural evening a Swedish buffet (cold buffet) will be organized. Here every country will bring traditional food dishes. The food that will be brought must be eatable without any processing (boiling, frying, etc). The dishes must also be accompanied by a brief description (their origin and ingredients, the way they are eaten…)

Participant`s profile required:

• Group size: 5 young people (age 16-30) and 1 group leader (age 18+).
• English level ( at least Medium level speaking and writing);
• Committed to contribute to the follow up of the project;
• Be interested in developing competences and implement follow-up initiatives;
• Some priority will be given to youth belonging from minority groups or facing economic difficulties, coming from rural areas or with other disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as participants from Tryavna or the region.

Venue:

The project will take place in Loutraki Greece at the end of September 2017 , don’t worry the weather will be still sunny and you will get the opportunity to treat yourselves with a visit to the local mineral water spa and of course swimming to one of the best touristic resorts in Greece.

Both hotel and restaurant managers are experienced with international participants and are always more than helpful. If you have any request make sure we will be the first to know about and after complain to the managers. We have arranged for you a typical Greek cuisine .Greek cuisine has normally lot of meat so make sure if you are vegetarian to notify us via the application form. Concerning the hotel since we won’t be alone we need to respect other clients and being during the sleeping hours.
http://hotel-egli.gr/
http://woodysloutraki.gr/

More information about Loutraki you can review here :
http://www.visitloutraki.com/

Working methods:

All the training will be done through the methods of non-formal education. The activities will be for example brain storming’s, plenary discussions, simulations, role plays, team building, energizers, ice breakers and many others. Non formal education we remember you that is voluntary, no hierarchical and all its methods are based on the concept of learning by doing.

What to bring with me:

• You need to bring personal hygiene stuff (like shampoo, gel, etc.)and your personal items
• There is not hairdryer at location, so you should bring it if needed
• You don’t need to bring towels for the shower
• Shower slippers
• You should bring some shoes and clothes appropriate for the weather conditions
• There will be drinkable water in location
• Any medicine you think you will need during the project
• Proof of medical insurance
• Your European health card
• Please bring one laptop in your team!
• Your positive energy!
• Boarding Passes (Original)
• Tickets from bus, train, ferry (Original)
• The original receipt of travel agency and the e-ticket with the amount of the travel expenses
• Your Visa and original receipts of any related costs (if available)

Travel Costs:

100% of the participants‘ travel costs will be reimbursed within the valid budget sums calculated according to the official rules of Erasmus+ programme. If a sum exceeds the limit, the excess will be paid by the participants themselves. The reimbursement limit is 180€ per participant from Bulgaria.

Financial support:

Project is supported by “Erasmus+” program. Accommodation, meals, program and travel cost (based on distance) are covered from grant. There is NO participation fee. However, 15 BGN will be deductuted from the travel costs or paid to the sending organisation from each participant, in order to be covered the different taxes, related to the participation of each representative from Bulgaria (bank transfer fees, post expenses, difference in the exchange rates, etc.). In case the organisation is covering the tickets, each participant must transfer a guarantee of 100 BGN, to the organisation`s public bank accont to ensure his/her`s participation and if he/she cancels his/her`s participation, the sum will be used to cover the change of the name for the flight ticket, which has been bought already.

Insurance:

The travel insurance is not mandatory but it is highly reccommended. It costs 1 BGN/day and covers all the common injuries during projects up to 5000 Euro. Our organization is not covering insurance, it is individual, but we are going to support you to obtain a proper insurance for the duration of the project. For more information about the insurance, contact us.

YouthPass:

Every participant is individually entitled to receive a Youthpass Certificate, which confirms participation and
validates the non-formal learning (NFL) experience of Training course project. Validating the learning experiences of participants is important in itself and the document can be of benefit in terms of the educational or employment future of the participant. Through Youthpass the European Commission ensures the Training course activity is recognized as a non-formal learning experience.
(*For more information on Youthpass you may click on this page to check it online)

Applicants MUST:

1. Have a vilidе ID/International passport.
2. Possess valid European Health Card.
3. Fill in the application form and send it to: stanimir.chukov@gmail.com – APPLICATION FORM
4. Fill in and sign this Participant Agreement.
5. Check the conditions your participation will be evaluated – Final evaluation form

 

IMPORTANT!!!
In the title of the e-mail, write down the name of the project.
Empty e-mails will be deleted automaticaly
The deadline for applying is 22. 08. 2017