MTV2019

Basilicata Link (also known as B-Link) is a youth organization created in 2012 with the aim of increasing intercultural initiatives and promoting non formal education methodologies in the Basilicata region, in the south of Italy. Main target group is youth and main objective is to stimulate them to participate and discover cultural differences in Europe thanks to mobility programmes and local actions during which the organisation promotes European values such as solidarity, living in peace and respecting diversity.
Basilicata is one of the poorest regions in Italy but, on the other hand, it is very rich of traditions, heritage and history. The role of Basilicata Link is to promote European values and intercultural educational Programmes to contribute to the sustainable development of the region throughout dialogue with other cultures.
During the first two years of activity, the association has given priority to dissemination of information about European programmes, especially those targeting at youth, bringing awareness about mobility and EU initiatives in small towns such as Craco, Latronico, Irsina and others. At the same time Basilicata Link managed to build a regional network of stakeholders which includes, among the others, many town councils, local associations, informal groups, cooperatives, schools and innovative social enterprises.
B-Link has hosted youth exchanges and seminars with international partners to create new projects for youth and to improve quality of youth work in Europe. It has also given the opportunity to youth living in rural areas to participate to many youth exchanges and training opportunities abroad. B-Link is running in 2015-2016 a project, granted by Erasmus+ program, which includes two youth exchanges and a mobility for youth workers, on the topic of depolulation of small towns.
The organization is based in Matera, a medium-sized town of Basilicata, which historical centre is protected by UNESCO because of its heritage, the old town called "Sassi". Matera is a town with a University and rich of cultural events (festivals, concerts, exhibitions, ect.) and has been designed to be European Capital of Culture in 2019. Nevertheless the organization operates on a wider perspective with projects and initiative in many small towns (often with less than 5.000 inhabitants) where there is a strong need to create European awareness and to involve young people living in a sort of geographical isolation.
The organization has its seat in a co-working space in Matera where young people find information for career orientation and to get support in finding training and professional paths. Volunteers will work in a pleasant working place where to meet other young people and gain new competences.
The organization is composed by four active members, working on a stable basis (all volunteers) plus many young volunteers and students helping in local and international projects.
Main focus of our activities are culture and rural development.
B-Link work in many small villages promoting intercultural dialogue and active citizenship.We organize info days in these small cities and we help young people living there to develop their intercultural skills, prepare them to be ready for international activities such as youth exchanges and EVS.
We also cooperate with many cultural institutions working in the filed of culture and environmental protection, sustainable tourism and development, within the frame of Matera 2019 European Capital of Culture.