Programme: Erasmus+
Key Action: Learning Mobility of individuals
Project Title: “Strategic approach to quality inclusion and intercultural dialogue youth work”
Project Identifier: 2014-1-HR01-KA105-000256
Topics: EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; Inclusion – equity; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning
Results Platform Project Card: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects/search/details/2014-1-HR01-KA105-000256
Coordinating organisation and country: Udruga “Ostvarenje” / Association “Realization”, HR
Participating Countries: HR, HU, MK, TR, EL, RO, BE, IT, LV, BG, SI
Funded by: Agencija za mobilnost i programme Europske Unije (AMPEU), the Croatian National Agency for the Erasmus+ programme
Project duration: 25/06/2014 – 25/01/2015
Project Summary:
In whole Europe and all countries involved in this project there are serious issues with intercultural dialogue and acceptance of diversity due to not only conflict/wars migrations, but also due to economic migrations towards the EU. We have noticed a lack of young qualified and willing leaders of projects for better intercultural acceptance and inclusion in our multi-ethnic communities. This project targeted active youth workers / leaders (from different cultural, social, historical, religious and economic backgrounds) who will further take action in field of social inclusion and cultural diversity, whether through new initiatives or enhanced activities, and will increase opportunity for ALL to access and participate in youth work and youth projects.
The core activity of the project was an 8 days long training course “Strategic approach to quality inclusion and intercultural dialogue youth work”. It was organised in Zadar, Croatia from 3rd till 11th October 2014. Project gathered 30 participants, trainers and staff from 11 organisations/countries (Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Turkey, FYR Macedonia, Slovenia, Greece, Bulgaria, Belgium, Hungary and Romania).
Objectives were:
- Sharing experience – realities and activities – regarding inclusion and diversity in our communities and countries;
- Understanding different aspects of youth work and inclusion/diversity;
- Exploring concepts of identity and its development as starting point to understanding inclusion/diversity around us;
- Increasing empathy with different aspects of discrimination/exclusion and discussing how to deal with challenging situations;
- Exploring existing policies on Fundamental Rights in Europe and understanding their connection and implications to youth work for inclusion/diversity;
- Sharing youth work tools/methods for achieving greater inclusion in our communities;
- Developing strategies for local and European (level) activities of youth work for promotion of inclusion/diversity;
- Presenting useful EU and CoE resources and funding programmes to encourage European cooperation among partners for inclusion (projects which will focus on organising youth exchanges which will include second generation immigrant youngsters and youth from other cultural minorities according to the realities and needs in our local communities).
The training course was based on the pedagogical understanding of the Council of Europe and the European Commission Partnership Programme and our own experience and expertise in youth work for inclusion and intercultural dialogue. As the training materials, we used T-kits, SALTO booklets, Compass, and Education pack. The training course followed the non-formal education approach, principles and methods and was based on participants’ experience and exchange.
All partners were involved in preparation, implementation and evaluation and follow-up phase and activities during the training course. Project had biggest impact on direct beneficiaries – participants who further developed their skills in defining, planning, preparing and leading quality intercultural local and European level projects for inclusion. Also, there was important impact on participating / partner organisations who received trained people and are now more capable and better equipped for developing of new local and European projects and partnerships for inclusion and intercultural dialogue.
*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 or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.