International Youth Exchange
“Use Your Creativity”
Bilyana Gucheva:
“The Main theme of the project was development of creativity and entrepreneurship competences as a tool for improvement of participant’s socio-economic difficulties.
The project was fulfilled with various workshops and trips around famous landmarks in Sisak. All participants have been learnt different techniques, which they might find useful at some point in their life. We have been learnt how to made rings out of tulle, necklaces out of T-shirts, house for birds out of plastic bottles, how to renovate old wood objects, techniques for decoupage and many others. The overall aim of the project was all the objects that have been made during those several days, to be presented and sold at rummage sale.
Beside creativity workshops, we had self-advertisement workshop, marketing workshop, е-brochure making workshop, which gave us useful tips for going out on the market.
As an advice I would recommend more team building games, as well as energizers.”
Victoria Vasileva:
“The youth exchange “Use your creativity” took place in Sisak (Croatia) from 26th of August to 5th of September. Six countries participated in the exchange: Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Croatia, Lithuania and Greece. The focus of the project was creating souvenirs. We used various materials as plastic, wood and textile. Every workshop started with a small presentation about the main steps, but then we were free to develop our projects as we want. In the end of the project we sold our souvenirs for charity.
Among workshops we learned more about marketing, social media and e-brochure.
We also met a local entrepreneur, who showed us how to make wooden toys and told us more about types of wood. In the same day we visited the city museum and learned more about the history of Sisak.
At evenings we organized intercultural evenings. Every country presented its own food, drinks and culture.
All in all, this project was a great opportunity for me to expand my horizons and meet new people.”
Kremena Evtimova:
“The project “Use your creativity” was held in Sisak, Croatia between 26.09.16 – 03.10.16. The target group were unemployed young people between 18-25 years old. The aim of the project was to stimulate participants’ creativity and entrepreneurship skills in order to overcome financial obstacles and to increase employment amongst youngsters. The activities which helped accomplish the main goals were creative workshops, marketing lectures and exchanging knowledge with local entrepreneurs. The participants were guided through the complete process of creating a product from disposable materials and promoting it online to sell it. During the workshops were obtained skills outside of the formal learning which will also be beneficial for a future entrepreneur. The participants were able to interact with the local community by attending The Star Film Festival and to explore the cultural heritage of the city thanks to the museum visitations with a guide that were provided.”
Project Summary:
This project was encounter of youth people / activists / volunteers (further participants) from civil society organizations who support and encourage active participation of young people who are economically and socially disadvantaged. Goal was to introduce participants who are dealing with unemployment, low standard of living and other socio-economic obstacles, with new skills and knowledge which can be used as a tool in their further work / self-employment or hobby. Various creative techniques were presented through which were given a “new life” / recycle to old, broken or not needed items and in this way making them again worth and useful. Also this items or now art pieces were sold, so it can create a certain income for young people, depends how much they have or will improve their salesman skills.
Participants had the opportunity to discuss and reflect about different possibilities and solutions that could encourage young people to take active participation in solving their existential problems.
In this project we were focused on strengthening young people / participants and exchanging experiences related to their effort to help young people in overcoming socio-economic issues. It produced new ideas and tools that could contribute to more effective and efficient solutions in their further work with youth people.
The project idea was realized through Youth exchange (YE) using methods of non-formal education (creative workshops, field work, exchange of experiences, presentations, cooperation between team members, etc.).
Selected participants took part in various well designed, structured and very interesting workshops. Among other things participants had the opportunity to learn at least 4 creative techniques to make handmade crafts and souvenirs. Participants also had a workshop regarding sales methods and possibilities so that after this YE they can literary implement all gained skills and improve their position / achieve project goal.
Afterwards participants have a chance to implement gained knowledge and skills from this YE in their local community which should contribute to development of socially and economically disadvantaged youth into more independent / satisfied individuals.
Objectives:
- exchanging good practice between participants regarding youth unemployment with focus on creativity;
- fosteringcreative ideas for entrepreneurship as a way to overcome socio-economic issues among youngsters;
- supporting and stimulating mobility and mutual cooperation among European citizens;
Organizations involved:
- “The Change is in You” Association – Bulgaria;
- KUMS – Croatia;
- Associazione di promozione sociale Joint – Italy;
- RJOS Apvalus stalas – Lithuania;
- Asociația Tinerii 3D – Romania;
- Astiki Mi Kerdoskopiki Eteria “En Gnosi” – Greece.
Accommodation:
We were accommodated in the “Imperialis Gusto” apartment house which was very near to the youth club where majority of our workshops were happening.
Food:
Every day’s menu will be typical local meals, prepared and served for you in our accommodation. No alcoholic drinks were allowed on the place.
Financial support:
Project was supported by program of European Union ERASMUS+. Accommodation, meals, program and travel cost (based on distance) were covered from grant. There was no participation fee.
Travel cost reimbursement:
100% of the participants‘ travel costs were reimbursed within the valid budget sums calculated according to the official rules of Erasmus+ programme. If a sum exceeds the limit, the excess was paid by the participants themselves. The reimbursement limit was 170€ per participant from Bulgaria.
YouthPass:
Every participant was individually entitled to receive a Youthpass Certificate, which confirmed participation and validated 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)
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