PBA - MAKE THE MOVE !

CONTEXT Over the past years, many youth exchange projects have been developed and run between organisations from different countries. An exciting and challenging intercultural encounter! In order to strengthen the partnerships and especially the quality of these projects, this partnership building activity aims to provide the needed support and training elements for the participants who intend to organise such a youth exchange in the near future. Besides creating the opportunity for participants to create strong partnerships, we also wish to offer a real intercultural experience, as an inspirational example for future youth exchange implementations. This “MAKE THE MOVE” will therefore take place in a rural village in the centre of Portugal, ‘Vila da Marmeleira’, which has 460 habitants. Over the past 3 years, different international activities (including YiA projects) have been implemented in this community, offering a win-win situation for all involved - local development and change for local people through their involvement in the activities and a deep intercultural experience for the participants. Besides the pedagogical outcomes of the international activities (e.g. training course, seminar, workcamp), the different projects have left their mark on the community. A local impact and international footprint have been left behind. This village seems to us an ideal setting to organize this PBA “MAKE THE MOVE”, focusing on the following aspects: • Young people as actors in the different steps of a youth exchange, supported and coached by youth workers. • The local community as the integral supporting structure of a youth exchange . • The impact and permanent mark on a local community as a result of a youth exchange. The above features will not only be discussed and analysed, but will also be based upon real practical experience during the Partnership Building Activity. AIMS & OBJECTIVES • To create an opportunity to find good and reliable partners to make youth exchanges with • To understand what is needed to plan a youth exchange of good quality • To create a solid network of contacts and partnerships • To equip the youth workers with insight in their role as coach and support • To experience the possibilities of local involvement • To understand the impact and social change a youth exchange can have within the local community TARGET GROUP The partner building activity is open for voluntary and professional youth workers, working directly with young people, and plan to organise a youth exchange within the frame of the Erasmus+ - Youth in Action Programme. Max 30 participants from Geographical Europe (Programme countries + Balkans and Eastern Europe and Caucasus). Participants should be at least 18 years old. Be aware that this Partner Building Activity will be in English. The team can give extra language support in French, Portuguese, and Dutch when necessary. Participants are expected to be part of the full duration of the Partnership Building Activity. All board and lodging is foreseen from Tuesday 18th of March dinner time, till after breakfast on Sunday 23rd of March 2014. TRAINERS Bernard Moreau (BEFR) and Jo Claeys (PT) BOARD & LODGING You will be hosted in smaller houses inside the village, near to the very centre. Each house will have place for approximately 6 to 8 participants, in single and twin rooms. Bed sheets, towels and shampoo are provided. You’ll be living this week as if you were … full inhabitants of the village! Breakfast will take place in the very central traditional café on the central square, a daily meeting point for all the habitants. Lunch and dinner are homemade dishes and coffee breaks catered by the local support teams. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 7 February 2014.