3 becas verano para cursos Erasmus Chipre sobre cambio social

The “YouthSocialAct: Youth Engagement in Initiatives Supporting Equality for All and Promoting Social Change” represents a project coordinated by the Social Policy and Action Organization and is funded by Erasmus + Programme of the European Union, under the action K1 Mobility of Youth Workers.

The project was built based on the following needs and realities in societies:

a) active voluntarism is crucial and important and should be promoted from children’s early ages and be considered important to their healthy development,

b) children, adolescents and young people have strong sayings, opinions and views on how to promote changes in the society and the majority express the wish and willingness to contribute towards social change strongly,

c) young people have beautiful and innovative ideas on initiatives promoting social change, but unfortunately they are either not given the opportunity to actively participate in the organization of such initiatives, or when provided the opportunity they lack the knowledge or proper empowerment and guidance to practically implement them.

d) in many cases youth NGOs lack the knowledge and expertise to engage youth people actively in the design and practical implementation of such initiatives, even though interest is expressed,

e) the values of equality, acceptance and tolerance, are considered among the most crucial values to be cultivated in youth voluntarism and engagement.

Equality is an important value to be cultivated firstly among young volunteers and their engagement in an organization and secondly as an important social message to send to the society promoting change for a better future.

The project aims at a) raising awareness on the importance of engaging young people in initiatives promoting social change in their communities starting from promoting equality, acceptance and tolerance for all people and b) training and supporting youth workers on how to ensure youth engagement in such initiatives and how to guide and practically support young people in designing and implementing their ideas and projects utilizing innovative and modern methods.

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the project which also link to Erasmus+ are :
a) To provide a working platform for collaboration and raise awareness on the importance of developing and applying innovative and unique ways to effectively engage youth in active voluntarism and initiatives promoting equality for all in their communities,

b) to raise awareness on the importance of youth engagement in active voluntarism and initiatives promoting equality as a method of socialization, raising confidence, self-esteem and also as a method to develop life skills, and cultivate important life values, including team-work, inclusion, equality, respect, tolerance, collaboration and others,

c) to provide knowledge and information on good practices applied engaging and retaining actively young people in youth initiatives promoting equality for all in their communities,

d) To present and train participants with new innovative tools, methods and mechanisms as well as good practices in supporting young volunteers implementing their inspired ideas and also in guiding, supervise and continuously empowering them in successfully implementing their own initiatives and larger-scale projects,
e) to train participants on how to strengthen the personal capacities of young volunteers with emphasis on their innovative ideas, abilities and development needs,

f) to train participants on event management and project management procedures applied successfully in youth initiatives, which in return can be used for training young volunteers in their countries,

g) to present mechanisms to promote life long engagement in youth voluntary actions promoting other social related issues,

h) to provide a platform for networking, establishing new contacts and discussing ideas for new projects,

g) to offer the opportunity to work in a multinational environment for a week and share experiences, knowledge and expertise.

The project is encompassed by the following activities:

1) Training Course organized between 8th -14th July 2018, at Oroklini, Larnaca, Cyprus.

In total 36 youth workers, leaders, managers, active volunteers from 11 EU countries, namely Cyprus, Poland, Spain, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, Malta, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, will participate.

2) Short Video Production entitled “YouthSocialAct”, aiming at raising awareness on the a) opportunities provided to youth via Erasmus +, b) collaborative work achieved between participants of the training course and the partner NGOs in general, c) tolerance and acceptance,

d) the empowerment of young people to promote equality, tolerance, social inclusion, through similar
activities implemented around the world.

3) Flash-Mob organized to raise awareness on the importance of youth engagement in initiatives promoting equality, tolerance, acceptance and unity for all to achieve social change in communities.

4) Networking event organized aiming at a) disseminating information regarding the project, activities, results, b) providing the opportunity to participants to meet and exchange views, ideas, and contacts with young people from local NGOs and c) establishing contacts and collaboration with others for future collaboration and
5) Puplication of Toolkit entitled “YouthSocialAct: Youth Engagement in Initiatives Supporting Equality for All and Promoting Social Change”

Sobre la organización

The  Organization, is not-for-profit organization established in Cyprus in August 2014.

The main goal of the Organization is to work towards the enhancement of quality of life of citizens targeting mostly vulnerable groups, with extra emphasis on young people, covering all social policy related areas. The Organization actively supports and promotes the five principles of quality of life, thus being Human Well Being, Health, Financial Independence, Family Status, Socialization and Social Protection.

The Board of the Organization in total 6 professionals works permanently on the activities and approximately 200 volunteers offer their services on different activities.

The Organization has established different Departments for effective operation: a) Youth Department, for the design and implementation of youth related projects, also responsible for the operation of the YouthVoices Programme and Chance2Learning. b) Research and Development Department, for the implementation of academic research studies and surveys and the development of policy recommendations and c) Fundraising Department, focusing on fundraising activities to financially support humanitarian causes, also operating the programme CY Care Packages, d) Project Management Department, undertaking the implementation of projects related to promoting human rights of vulnerable groups and people with fewer opportunities, gender mainstreaming and empowerment, combating poverty and social exclusion, sexual harassment prevention and other social related projects.

The activities of the Organization are designed under two pillars: A) Design and implementation of Actions targeting specific social problems. B) Development and promotion of social policy recommendations. Among its activities are: 1) Design and implementation of academic research and surveys; 2) Monitoring of social policy related legislations and directives; 3) Mapping of effective social policy practices and actions in other countries; 4) Design and implementation of projects contributing towards combating identified social problems, supporting vulnerable groups, including young people promoting human rights, combating all kinds of discriminations in all levels of the society and promoting equal opportunities for all; 6) Provision of support, empowerment and enhancement of the quality of life of vulnerable groups; 7) Awareness raising, dissemination of information and organization of social campaigns; 8) Establishment of a network with national and international parties, involved in social policy issues.

Participantes

Youth Workers, Youth Leaders, Volunteers working for youth NGOs involved in social issues;
 Over 18 years old (no age limit);
 English Level (at least Medium level speaking and writing);
 Ability and flexibility to participate at the Training Course in Cyprus from 7th -15th July 2018 (including

travel days), in a multi-cultural environment;

 Experience in the organization of youth activities aiming at supporting, empowering and contributing towards personal development of young people;
 They work either as guides, mentors, coaches or coordinators (or they have the interest to become one) with children, or young people with fewer opportunities, actively engaged in initiatives promoting equality, tolerance and supporting social change in their communities.
 They hold experience, knowledge and expertise in designing and organizing interactive non-formal activities targeting children, adolescents and young people, aiming at their empowerment, combating antisocial behaviours and actions, raising self-esteem and confidence and encouraging them to becoming active members of the society and by practically engaging in youth initiatives promoting equality and tolerance.
 They hold some experience in group leadership, monitoring group activities, and providing training to other young people.

 They are eager to expand their knowledge in new methods, tools and programmes implemented in other European countries.

Gender balance has to be followed as much as possible (2 Male and 1 Female participant or 1 male and 2 female participants per organization);
 Priority will be given to participants belonging to groups with fewer opportunities or with disadvantaged backgrounds (at least 1 out of 3 people).
 Please also note that since the project outputs including photos, videos, and other material participants will have to sign a consent for promotion and dissemination.

Preparation

Participants need to collaborate with their organizations to prepare some material related to specific
sessions/topics.
1) Presentation of own Organization
2) Intercultural Night – Presentation of own country
3) Presentation of good practices in methods/tools used to engage young people and empower them to practically become involved in such initiatives
4) Presentation of innovative programmes and actions organized to practically guide, empower, support young people from finalization of the idea for such an initiative, to its design and finally its organization and practical implementation.
5) Ideas/views on preparing the Flash-Mob – will be performed via the project’s facebook page.
1) Ideas/views on preparing the Toolkit – will be performed via the project’s facebook page.
2) Games/ice-breakers/energizers/fun exercises are welcome!

Activitidades

INTERCULTURAL EVENINGS/NIGHTS
Every night we will have an intercultural evening/night, with different country presentations.
Each country group must prepare the evening and their presentation based on their own ideas. They can bring traditional sweets, food, drink (if possible), leaflets/brochure from countries, flags, short film presentations, music, and if they want present folklore dances. Please inform us what equipment you will need. If you want to cook something in the kitchen of your apartment, please notify us to see a) how to organize it, since the hotel management does not allowed bringing food at the bar next to the swimming pool and b) to get the necessary ingredients for you.

FLASH-MOB, NETWORKING EVENT, CULTURAL VISITS AND OTHER EVENTS-SURPRISES
It is important for us to provide, throughout the week, apart from the educational part of the mobility, the most important part of course of the mobility, with opportunities for socialization, interaction, networking, cultural education and entertaining and fun activities/experiences. Some will be:

1) FLASH-MOB: We have incorporated a Flash-Mob in the programme to be organized at Finikoudes area, the most touristic spot in Larnaca which is one of the important deliverables/dissemination tools of the project. The preparation will begin before participant’s arrival to Cyprus and the programme includes sessions for practice!  The flash-mob will be filmed and be widely disseminated by all partner organizations. Note: If any of the participants does not wish to participate at the flash-mob please inform us.
2) NETWORKING EVENT: A networking event will be organized, where different Cyprus NGOs involved in social welfare, support to vulnerable groups will be invited to come and meet all the organization involved in the project. Therefore each organization group should bring leaflets/brochures and anything else they consider important to disseminate information and establish new contacts for future collaborations. The event will be photographed and be widely disseminated.

3) CULTURAL VISIT TO LARNACA: Larnaca is a beautiful touristic city, with great historical and sight- seeing monuments, apart from beautiful beaches; therefore a cultural visit is planned.

4) FAREWELL PARTY: On 14th July 2018 we will organize a farewell party.
5) OTHER EVENTS: We will organize some other events we have planned, which will be surprise and cannot be revealed to you at this moment!  You will love them!!!

Hosting organisation with the financial support of the European Commission through Erasmus+ program will cover 100% of the costs of accommodation, 3 meals per day, activities, training & facilitation and travel costs according to Erasmus+ regulations:

–          Only the cheapest travel alternative can be reimbursed;