SustainABILITY

THE PROJECT
The intercultural exchange experience proposal arises from the idea of a group of young people engaged in the “Mira challenge”, a project based on youth protagonism where young people living in the Mirafiori district implement sports, cultural and territorial enhancement activities.
The key objective of the project is to involve and make responsible participants on environmental and social sustainability related to the topic of food, culinary traditions and food waste, in line with the core activities and the strategic objectives of Fondazione Mirafiori. Sustainable development is a fundamental key to create a new model of society, based on growing responsibility and awareness in social, environmental and economic items.
Starting from these premises the Project aims to merge young people from different european countries, with the following goals:

- Improve their English proficiency, since it is a relevant skill for student’s professional opportunities and raise awareness on feeling European Citizens

- Make new friends and increase their experience in the European Community, enforcing a network of friendship relations at the end of the exchange experience

- Gain experiences and improve their organizational competences and relational skills

- Raise Curiosity on other countries lifestyle and mutual knowledge

- Develop specific interest in active citizenship: sharing and embracing several active citizenship practices of different european countries. Explore the values ​​of European citizenship and feel the "sense of belonging to a wider community"

- Discover all the different intercultural opportunities of the Erasmus+ programme

The objectives listed above are in line with the Erasmus plus programme, in particular:
- Foster intercultural dialogue,learning and feeling of being European

- Develop skills and attitudes of young people

- Strengthen European values and break prejudices and stereotypes

- aise awareness on socially relevant topics and thus stimulate engagement in society and active participation

ACTIVITIES
Following the aim of the project young people will be involved in concrete experiences and workshops oriented to enforce civic sense and develop social and intercultural skills; the goal is “to encourage them to act as agents for a change in environmental and social development”. (10th young goal).

Activities, workshops and moments of aggregation and inclusion on environmental and social sustainability themes will be organized,with a specific focus on food as an opportunity of socialization and as a relevant topic to envalue “no waste” and circularity.
The group of young people from Mirafiori in cooperation with active senior citizens involved in the area and with the Pindarica theater Association, will guide visits and activities on the territory, also providing intergenerational exchanges.
The activities will be focused on the following themes:
1 FOOD
FOOD as a tool for learning social sustainability (inclusive societies)
- Presentation of the project “Torino Solidale”, the city network to support people in personal, social and economic fragility, also due to loneliness and absence of family relations
- Preparation and distribution of foodstuffs and basic necessities products

2 CULINARY TRADITIONS
CULINARY TRADITIONS as a tool for learning social and environmental sustainability. The round table / shared meal becomes a social aggregator, a place of union and sharing. (intergenerational exchanges, information and constructive dialogues)
- Presentation of the project EAM, an initiative that promotes active aging of the elderly to fight agaistr isolation and social exclusion through soft fitness and proper nutrition
- Sharing of traditional recipes, typical and sustainable products from different territories/countries
- Traditional cooking workshops

3 URBAN AGRICULTURE
URBAN AGRICULTURE as an instrument of environmental sustainability (Sustainable green Europe)
- Presentation of Orti Generali, a project of urban agriculture as a new model of self-management and transformation of public greenery with the purpose of raising awareness on urban agriculture
- Sharing of innovative projects and example of best practices from different territories/countries
- workshops on circular cooking

4 EXPLORATION OF THE CULTURE AND THE CITY CENTER OF TORINO
PEER LEADING as a new learning model of solidarity, mutual support and acceptance of other people
- Guided tour to the main places of interest of the city of Torino
- Guided tour to the “Museo dell’Auto” (closely linked to the history of Mirafiori) or “Museo Egizio” (connected to the theme of food)

5 EXPRESSION THEATER PERFORMANCE
Theater Performance: the experience of the exchange will be developed with a theater performance open to all the community. In the representation, the young will be players and actors themselves. It will take place during ESTATE A SUD at the Casa nel Parco, the summer festival in Mirafiori, where dissemination, cultural, arts and cinema events are yearly performed.

6 MUTUAL KNOWLEDGE
Scheduled Intercultural evenings to get in contact and to socialize will be organized.

EXPECTED RESULTS
All the proposed activities aim to improve the participation of young people in social life, to become active citizens, and creators of social and environmental changes.
The proposed exchange will have a high empowering impact on the participants, promoting active citizenship, making them more conscious of the European values ​​and of the EU rights, informing about the opportunities offered by the Erasmus plus programme, improving their English and creating long lasting friendships.
Every activity will be constantly coordinated, supported and monitored . Final discussion and individual thought at the end of each daily activity will be encouraged and supported by youth leaders, to include each participant and to find solutions for any question/issue that may arise.
At the end of the exchange participants will be invited to evaluate individually and in focus groups, what they have learned and to figure out how this acquired competence can be spent in their lives. Youthpass is granted for all participants.
As a final result we expect a positive double impact:
- partner organizations will grant their young beneficiaries an international enriching opportunity
- communities of origin will receive the results of the experience through their young involved