More than neighbours May 8-14 2022
KERNAVĖ, LITHUANIA
Looking for a way to explore the meaning and importance of the European Union in our lives? Look no further than our successful project, “More than Neighbous”!
As the European Union faces new challenges and its basic principles are increasingly contested, it is more important than ever to remind ourselves of the value and significance of this project. From the exit of the United Kingdom to the rise of extremist political and social movements across the Union, its values may seem less and less able to rally Europeans together. However, the European Union remains strong, as demonstrated by its high level of support across Europe. It has brought peace and prosperity to the continent and improved the lives of millions of people in an infinity of ways. It has tied its peoples together in a way that was hard to imagine a few decades ago and succeeded in creating a common European identity.
Our project aimed to explore this common European identity and its meaning to us through a weeklong exchange in Lithuania. We brought together 30 participants from six different countries to engage in a variety of interactive activities, including group discussions, cultural events, and site visits. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Lithuania and its place in the European Union, as well as to share their own experiences and perspectives.
During the exchange, we explored the role of the European Union in promoting democracy, human rights, and freedom, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing the Union in the current moment. We learned about the ways in which the European Union influences our daily lives, from the foods we eat to the products we buy and the laws we live under.
Through this exchange, we discovered a shared sense of European identity that transcends national boundaries and reflects our common values, aspirations, and experiences. We also gained a deeper understanding of the importance of the European Union in promoting unity, diversity, and solidarity across Europe.
Overall, our project was a huge success, with participants reporting a greater appreciation for the European Union and its role in their lives. It generated a lot of interest and positive feedback from the local community in Lithuania, as well as from people across Europe who followed our journey online. We hope that our project will inspire others to explore the meaning and significance of the European Union and to work towards a brighter, more united future for Europe.
Small steps, long life Jan 18-26, 2023
VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
Are you ready to learn about a project that will change your life for the better? Our team worked on an initiative that promotes the relationship between health and sports, and how these factors influence our overall well-being and quality of life.
Through a variety of workshops and activities, we aim to teach young people about the importance of integrating small, healthy habits into their daily routine. From improving eating habits and sleep patterns to finding new and exciting physical activities, we want to assist young people in making a positive change towards a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Our project’s focus is on non-formal education and interactive activities that will allow participants to acquire new knowledge and skills for health and well-being. By engaging in discussions, presentations, and workshops, participants will learn about the benefits of good nutrition, alternative sports activities, and time management.
But that’s not all! Our project also offers opportunities to develop a variety of hard and soft skills, such as public speaking, video production/editing, photography, cultural sensitivity, and critical thinking. Participants will have the chance to travel, socialize, and learn about different customs and cultures, all while accomplishing multilateral personal growth.
Steps for human rights protection Nov 5-13 2022
BANSKO, BULGARIA
We’re thrilled to share with you our project that aimed to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our societies today. Discrimination, hate speech, xenophobia, and human rights violations have been on the rise in recent years, and as young people, we felt the need to take action. We firmly believe in the power of youth to bring about change and influence others, and that’s why we wanted to engage young people from different countries in understanding and promoting human rights.
Our project had a clear focus on raising awareness of these issues among young people, and we did so in a youth-friendly and engaging way. Through participatory theatre methodology, we enabled youth to get involved and stand up for human rights, empowering them to take a more active role in tackling human rights violations. By understanding and acknowledging discrimination, hate speech, and cyberbullying as human rights violations, we hope that young people will feel more informed and equipped to take action in their own communities.
Our main objectives were to promote understanding and awareness of human rights and human rights violations among young people, to present participatory theatre as an effective way to engage youth in standing up for human rights, and to empower young people to tackle human rights violations through a participatory approach. We truly believe that we can make a difference and bring about positive change by working together, and we’re grateful to have been able to collaborate with partners from different countries on this important project.
Bus stop violence Oct 1-8 2022
MORFASSO, ITALY
Are you ready to embark on an eye-opening journey that will challenge your perceptions of gender-based violence? The Bus Stop Violence project is here to inspire and empower young people to recognize the different forms of gender-based violence and advocate for gender equality. Through engaging itinerant workshops and traveling theatre performances aboard the Utopia Possibile Bus, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of gender-based violence and learn effective ways to address it. This isn’t your typical lecture-style learning experience; instead, you’ll be part of an immersive, interactive journey that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the importance of gender equality. Get ready to step out of your comfort zone and be part of a movement for positive change!
Meet feelings Sept 12-20 2022
MEIRONYS, LITHUANIA
Meet Feelings is a youth exchange program that aimed to address the need for emotional support tools and techniques among young people. This project was conducted over the course of seven days, during which participants learned skills and competencies in personal and peer-to-peer emotional support. By exchanging realities and experiences with European partners, participants promoted active citizenship and entrepreneurship values, as well as create a stronger voice for youth regarding mental health policies.
The need for prioritizing mental health in the European Union’s public health agenda has been increasingly recognized over the past few decades. Mental disorders affect every fourth citizen at least once during their life and can be found in over 10% of the European Union population in any given year. While significant efforts have been made to improve mental health care, a lot remains to be done. In fact, at least 30% of people with severe mental disorders in European countries do not have access to mental health care, let alone those who suffer from other disorders such as anxiety, acute stress disorder, social phobia, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood.
During the Meet Feelings project, participants gained practical skills in emotional support and learned how to create a basic toolbox of techniques for themselves and their peers. Through non-formal education and interactive activities, participants explored their own emotions, as well as learn how to provide support and communicate effectively with others. By the end of the project, participants had developed a stronger sense of empathy and an increased understanding of the importance of mental health. They also had the opportunity to establish connections with other like-minded individuals from different parts of Europe, which can lead to further collaboration and exchange of ideas.
Captain FACT May 19-27 2022 Sinaia, Romania
SINAIA, ROMANIA
“Captain FACT” was a timely and crucial initiative that tackled the serious issue of disinformation at the EU level. The project recognized the significant impact of disinformation on young people, who are among the most exposed to this phenomenon. With the help of 30 youth workers from 7 European countries – Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland, Turkey, and Romania – the project aimed to experiment with ways and methods for identifying, understanding, and tackling disinformation.
The 7-day training course was structured in 4 phases that ensured the fulfillment of the 4 specific project objectives. The first stage focused on building group cohesion, while the second stage involved exploration and intercultural knowledge. The third stage aimed at personal experimentation, while the fourth and final stage focused on continuation and follow-up.
Through the project, participants were able to improve their personal competences in the field of critical thinking and correct information. By engaging in various activities and training methodologies, the participants gained the necessary skills to identify and tackle disinformation in the online environment.
Overall, “Captain FACT” project was a success and contributed to raising awareness about the dangers of disinformation while providing participants with the tools they need to combat it.