Why do we organise it!?

Youth exchange is one of the tools that is being used by many organisations to give young people the opportunity to look beyond their own ‘borders’ and to interact with people from different cultures.  A learning experience for every youngster, but especially for young people with less opportunities. This partnership building activity brings youthworkers and youthleaders together who work with young people from disadvantaged (sub)urban areas.

An opportunity to meet new international projectpartners who work with the same targetgroup and to set up international youth exchanges within the framework of Youth in Action and to explore how other Youth in Action projects could support and strenghten international partnerships.

The aim and objective of   the project

Support young people in discovering inner strengths

Share methods that all paricipants can take part in decision-making processes in their own clubs and organisation structures, parts of politics places

Support youth leaders in promoting democratic structures in local clubs and associations

Produce press releases for newspapers in order to share the ideas at local, national or international level

During last year's project participants learned generally about the EU, as well as how and why it was created. In this next project we would like to take up discussion about communities in Europe, about EU's internal market system, which covers the three States, and all the EU Member States.

Ideas include researching what internal markets are based on, something about the principle of free movement of goods, services, capital and persons with uniform trade and competition rules. One other idea is to examine bilateral agreements between EFTA members and Balkan with the EU.

The theme in our project would be different.... it can focus on other topics depending on your suggestions. It is compulsory that particpating countries offer ideas of their own towards the project.

How will we do this?

Methods:

The project will be based on the principles and practice of non-formal education and is conceived to allow a learner-centered approach taking into account the needs, interests and the experiences of participants.

By the means of editorial activities and theatre, young participants from Slovakia, Czech republic, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia and one member of the EFTA will focus on other following topics: By means of journalistic and editorial activities, young people from different European countries will be concerned in the same aim – to create their own issue of the newspaper.

The newspapers will consist of ideas, actions and recommendations of the participants on developing the youth and policies in the Europe. It is a document reflecting the thoughts and beliefs of the European youngsters involved in policy. Examples of good practise carried out by the participants in their home countries are included in the press release.

The people will express their opinions and ideas connected with the EU, especially with the European nationality, principles and fundamental rights connected with the European nationality and the EU policy.

The newspaper will contain presentations of concerned countries, their history, culture and habits to support intercultural awareness, mutual understanding development and toleration.

Working language

English

Number of participants

45 Participants from Czech Republic, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Slovakia, Norway

Group of participants: 4 + 1 leader
Age of participants: 15 - 25 (leader can  be older)

Profile  of participants

A young person interested in the actual social and political events in Europe and in the whole world.

With appetite to deepen their knowledge about the EU, prepare themselves for an active career in real life and eagar for new ways how to participate in making better conditions for the future behaviour of the whole world.

Tasks for partner  organisations:

We would appreciate your input with the program. We need you to send us your ideas for programme structure well before the EU deadline so we can decide on final programme structure. This is so we can have ideas from all countries in advance.

We encourage all participants to become more active with the planning
stage as their input is valuable. This gives opportunity for the project themes and details to be discussed among everyone before the event begins, and allows everyone to have a clear
focus of the project aims.
Generally the project is clear and open to new suggestions. If you have some good ideas about programme activities and the main aim of the project at this time (you have to come with some program – every day one country will lead that days programme. The participants will take control of the activities on a daily basis so everyone from all countries can learn each others culture and leading abilities.

When and where

The place of exchange: Croatia, Basko Polje

The date of exchange: 24^th June – 2^nd July 2011

Duration: 9 days / 7 nights

Date of 3 day advanced planning visit: (only for leaders – each group has 2 leaders):

8^th – 10^th June 2011

Starts on Saturday in the afternoon and ends on Sunday after breakfast.

Participants will be accomodated in a tents.

Costs

According to Youth Programme - 100% of the accommodation and food, and 70%

of the travel expenses are covered by the project.

Benefits for participants

During the 10 days in Croatia the participants will develop skills and knowledge about European Union, political mechanisms, basic principles and they deeper understand the cultural and political context in the European and global dimension.- generally

They will improve their commnicaion skills which will help them in a real political working world.
Gain experience with information and communication tools - the PC, camcorder, digital camera, PowerPoint, and improve language skills.

How to apply ?

Please, contact the project coordinator:

Eva Johnová, tel: + 420 775 326 026, mail: e.johnova@seznam.cz

In order to apply for this activity you have to send the enclosed partnership agreement Part III  and send it back to us in the following ways:

first you can send scanned version to: e.johnova@seznam.cz as soon as possible

In case our project will be approved, we will need the original sent by the ordinary
post on the following address: