Puzzle of Inclusion

The first idea for this project was to build on the work of several previous projects in the local area, promoting social inclusion through youth exchanges based around non-formal education and artistic expression. Mentioning the EU Youth Report 2016, “the at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate for young people aged 15 to 29 (29.0 % in 2014 is higher than that for children under the age of 16 (27.3 %) or for the total population (24.5 %)”. This has been identified as due to living conditions, material deprivation, backgrounds and monetary poverty. Recent projects from our networking with several organizations lead us to the development of different strategies directed towards building the competences of those facing diverse challenges in these areas of social inclusion throughout their everyday lives, including a marked increase in wider awareness through the use of videos in the community. Humans have used the arts to express themselves and communicate for centuries. Cultures and nationalities define themselves using their own art forms, correlating to the rules and personalities of their societies. As a result of this the arts have been catalysts for reflection and change in society throughout the world. There are many types of arts used today: architecture; music; painting; poetry; sculpture; theatre, photography and comics. The use of the traditions of different nations with regards to these art forms will help define similarities and differences between each, and research into their own national identities will stimulate the participants' self reflection and development.
The main aim of this project is:
- To raise young people's awareness and understanding of other cultures and countries, offering the opportunity to build networks of international contacts and to develop a sense of European citizenship and identity, thereby promoting non-formal learning and cooperation in the field of youth with partner countries and participation in future activities.
The objectives of the project will be:
- To foster the personal growth, positive interaction, social inclusion and active participation of young people from different social backgrounds within the EU by involving them in a week long Youth Exchange that develops their key competences and addresses issues important to them, using joint vicarious activities, experiences and reflections as a springboard
- To raise the awareness of social inclusion and the difficulties some may face with regards to involvement in society, both within participants' own societies and within the EU through the creation of artistic products and media on the youth exchange.
- To create best practice in young leaders through the social interaction of the group leaders, who work in social inclusion and come from several different areas of the EU, using front line work with young people who have the key competences directly in mind as a direction.
- To promote EU values, the Erasmus+ scheme and participation in future activities through the use of non-formal education and advocating its recognition through the Youth Pass certificate.
- To facilitate the inclusion and active participation of marginalized youths and the acceptance of diversity in the wider community through the development of videos, items and other kind of art products on social inclusion.

Partners countries: 6 partners + host organization (Romania)
Each partner will send 5 participants + 1 youth leader.
Participants should be aged 20 or above. There is no maximum age limit.
The youth exchange will also include time for participants to learn about each other’s work and to develop ideas for new projects based on shared interests.
The course trainers will be experts from our own team.

(1) Please fill the questionnaire attached (right side of your screen)!!!!!!!
(2) Please send us the PIF of your organisation