Международен Младежки Обмен
“Understanding Our Human Rights for a Better EU”
16.01.-24.01.2020
Agia Napa, Cyprus
Summary:
In order for a country to functional normally we need a system in place that takes into consideration the needs of all its people and of course the successful functioning of the system, thus not making choices which would destroy or damage the system. In essence we are describing democracy, or the democratic system which governs and rules a country. Looking at history, it is very rare that an entire nation supports one party or one idea, so there is always division or at least different opinions. When talking to young people from any country we will hear at least some form of dissatisfaction with their country, their government and even the people of their country. This project will look at exactly this from the perspective of the individual, this being active citizenship.
Our project will not focus only on the democratic act of voting, but will look at active citizenship starting from home. How do we deal with the issues, the choices and the actions we take in our daily lives and take these to understand how we act as citizens of our countries and of the EU? We have seen that many factors influence the choices of young people, we have seen how parents influence the educational choices of youth based on their personal beliefs rather than the needs of the labour markets or the desires of their children. Is this how young people are influenced to vote or how they deal with issues in their communities which are wrong or need reform?
This project is designed to allow young people to empower their life choices so that they can be more active citizens, from the simple choices of lifestyle, to education and ultimately to policy reform and the shaping of their countries and of the EU. We will explore the true meaning of active citizenship, looking at our past, the mistakes and even good practices of the past, those which have moulded our today, and then explore our options of how we mould tomorrow.
We have seen that policy reform and politics are more of a spectator activity for young people where they believe they have no influence nor say in what happens in their countries, we have so often heard young people say “no matter who we vote for, nothing will change”. We hope to change this. Our goal is not to form a political movement, but to get young people off the couch and empower them to make the changes they want to see in their world, starting from their homes, their communities, their countries and in the EU, and in the near future even in the world.
Our project will give young people the tools and resources to understand their rights as EU citizens, to understand the reasoning behind the choices of their governments, to challenge these choices and to be actively involved in the reform that are needed in their communities and in the EU. We will help young people understand the process of policy reform, the methods and approaches needed by policy makers to make these choices, understanding that meeting the needs of a society also means that some expenses need to be covered and to allow the youth to take these expenses into consideration, thus not only demanding reform, but contributing to this reform through understanding that the system, be it a local government, or even the EU, needs all of us to contribute in order for it to serve us all.
The project involves many program countries allowing us to learn and understand that we have common concerns and problems, but will also allow us to understand that sometimes these problems are caused by our lack of involvement and our passive approach to problems in our society often cause the problems. We will learn that together, and by being active in our societies, we can make changes, not only because we can, but because we must be the building blocks of our societies and our EU and the only way we can create a society for everyone is to actively work together and make the changes.
Participant`s profile required:
- Every group should prepare 4 youngsters 16-30 years old plus one group leader over 18 years old;
- Participants are expected to be part of the full duration of the activity;
- Be aware that this activity will be in English;
- Participants with fewer opportunities and rural areas will have priority.
Venue:
The training course will take place in Agia Napa, Cyprus. Further information about the venue will be shared with the selected participants.
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:
- Towels and beach/pool towel and swimsuit if you decide you want to go for a swim in the sea or in the pool during the free time.
- Hygiene products.
- Medicines if needed.
- Each national team must bring at least one laptop! (for digital activities).
- Bring your adaptors and charges for your devices as these cannot be provided.
- Bring some slippers or sandals for indoor use and othe shoes for outdoor use.
- We will have an intercultural evening, so bring your national food and drink.
- Bring your national flag, magazines, postcards what will help you to introduce your country.
- ….and your good mood. This is the most important ☺
Intercultural night:
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 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…)
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 235€ per participant from Bulgaria.
This project is co-funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ framework.
Each participant is required to participate 100% in all activities described throughout the schedule sent
with this infopack. During the project activity you are required to have 100% participation in all sessions,
activities and workshops.
You will not give to the trainers or anyone at the project activity any travel documents or any other
document related to logistics or travel costs. You must provide all your travel documents to your sending
organisation. You must keep all boarding passes for each flight in original format, all tickets including
train, bus or other PUBLIC transportation ticket and receipt in original format. You must keep also all
invoices associated with these travel costs as explained in the Local Transportation Reimbursement
Guide above and in Infopack 1. On day 1, you will be asked to sign a participation pledge that asks
similar requirements during the online registration phase and sign and complete any other necessary
logistical documentation.
You are required to participate in all evaluation, dissemination and promotion activities before, during
and after the project activity.
Without respecting all the above, there is no proof of participation or travel and it can result in non or
partial reimbursement.
Financial support:
Project is supported by “Erasmus+” program. Accommodation, meals, program and travel cost (based on distance) are covered from grant. 15 BGN will be deducted from the guarantee of 100 BGN which every participant must send prior the departure, 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.). This guarantee will be reimbursed after completing all the dissemination activities, the participant is required to conduct after returning to Bulgaria.
Insurance:
The travel insurance is mandatory. 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:
- Read carefully the Terms and Conditions you are agreeing with, when sending your application!
- Read carefully the Privacy Policy page.
- Have a valid ID/International passport.
- Possess valid European Health Card.
- Download, fill in and send to: stanimir.chukov@gmail.com – APPLICATION FORM
*In order to fill it in, you should have Adobe Reader version 10 or higher – Adobe reader installer
IMPORTANT!!!
In the title of the e-mail, write down the name of the project.
Empty emails will be deleted automatically
English