EASTERN EXPRESS 2015

The first Eastern Express Training Course was co-organised by the SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre in cooperation with Slovakian National Agency in April 2005. It was the first training activity on project management in youth exchanges. Afterwards the course was repeated many times and became a flagship activity in EECA region. 10 years later the Eastern Express TC is coming back to Slovakia to support the development of international youth cooperation between V4 and EaP countries. One part of the training course will be formal ceremony when the Memorandum of Cooperation between V4 and EaP countries will be signed by the representatives of Ministries in the field of youth. The EASTERN EXPRESS TC aims to enhance and to support the cooperation between organisations from both regions and in addition wants to stimulate the creation of new projects ideas and development of activities quality. Objectives •To provide information about the Erasmus + Programme in the field of youth and especially Key Action 1- Youth exchanges. •To get to know possibilities of cooperation between V4 and EaP countries within the Erasmus + Programme. •To better understand youth exchange project management. •To develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to organise a successful youth exchange with a special focus on youth participation. •To bring together people working with youngsters in order to create new project ideas of youth exchanges within Key Action 1 of the Erasmus + Programme. Participants EASTERN EXPRESS TC brings together 24 voluntary and professional youth workers from V4 and EaP regions: youth leaders and project coordinators working directly with youngsters, who are interested in setting up international youth exchanges. Applicants should fulfill following criteria: • come from Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Czech republic and Eastern partnership countries- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine; • representative of the youth organisation or non-formal groups of young people, who is able and authorized on behalf of its organisation to create future projects ideas within Erasmus+ Programme; • over 18 years old • basic knowledge about Erasmus + Programme; • some experience in youth work/local youth projects in their country; • readiness to develop international youth projects; • active participation and contribution during the full duration of the TC; • ability to communicate in English; Programme elements 5-days training course: • Erasmus + Programme presentation with special focus on cooperation with EaP countries within Key Action 1 projects; • How to find partners? • How to organize successful Youth Exchange project? • Youth participation in Youth Exchanges – opportunities and challenges. • Youth Exchange Project Management (including basic elements of risk management); • Intercultural learning in youth projects; • Non-formal learning in youth exchanges; • Partnership in youth projects; • Support activities for Youth Exchanges in Erasmus + Programme;