Are you passionate about sustainability and would like to make the city where you live greener and rich in nature? Discover the EUROplant project, an initiative funded by Eurodesk Poland!

The participants helped make three cities in Poland greener, promoting the importance of sustainability as a collective action.

The EUROplant Project

The project took place in October 2022 in three cities in the southern of Poland (Piekary Śląskie, Częstochowa and Rybnik).

The initiative wanted to improve the quality of life in the cities, renewing green spaces and parks. The association organised some training sessions with the aim of promoting the values of sustainable living and the importance of reducing our environmental impact for the community.

During the project, three tree-planting actions were organised and involved participants of all ages. Older townspeople, children and officials of the city council and the youth city council took part in the action.

The Rethink Foundation

“The Rethink Foundation” collaborated during the organisation of the initiative.

The foundation has the goals of bringing communities together to collaborate and have a good impact on social and environmental projects.

The organisers provided clear guidance to participants on how to properly plant trees within the green areas of cities.

Subsequently the participants registered the trees in the municipal offices, to monitor and cure them in the future.

At the end of the project the participants were extremely satisfied with the positive effects of the initiative and they could enjoy the new green areas of the cities.

The aims of the project

The aims of the project were the following:

• developing gardening skills
• uniting and getting to know residents
• meeting local authorities with residents in a joint action
• expanding knowledge about vegetation in cities
• getting acquainted with the activities of Eurodesk offices
• promoting good civic attitudes
• creating a wooded space that would renew water and reduce the temperature in summer

The conditions of the project

The project had an extremely positive impact on the city and community.

Here is the testimony of Paulina, a participant in the project:

“For me, these towns – Piekary Śląskie, Rybnik and Częstochowa – are part of the industrial region, Silesia, where I come from. Although for several years I have been actively taking care of my immediate environment, the flower beds, lawns and small shrubs around the house, I would never have thought that it would have been so easy to take care of areas belonging to the city and use the space on the estate. I was afraid it would take a lot of time and require a lot of approvals and paperwork. Planting plants together not only helped me get through this, but also proved that the city authorities are willing to get involved in various projects. If there were more of such activities, not only the highly urbanised but also the industrial and heavily polluted areas would probably be redeveloped and greened faster thanks to social initiatives!”

Read more about the project here.

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L'articolo The EUROplant Project | Greener and More Sustainable Cities proviene da Youth Networks.

EU Sports Awards

If your organisation runs projects promoting inclusion through sport with the purpose of giving sport the recognition of being a powerful tool for breaking down social barriers, bringing people together and building a more inclusive world, be ready to be nominated!

To be nominated for the #BeInclusive prizes your project should involve:

• disadvantaged, marginalised or underprivileged groups such as individuals with difficult social, economic or educational backgrounds;
• people with a disability and/or health challenges;
• people from a different cultural background such as migrants, refugees, ethnic minorities or people living with geographical barriers and more.

The awards should also support gender equality and contribute to peace through the integration of migrants and refugees.

The Prizes

Prizes will be given in the following categories:

1. Promoting gender equality in sport “Be Equal” (projects promoting the empowerment and participation of women and girls in sport)
2. Sport for peace (projects using sport as a vehicle to promote peace and European values)
3. Breaking barriers in sport (projects that show inspiration, giving positive examples of empowerment and role models from groups with fewer opportunities that step up and lead change)

A winner and two finalists (ranked 2nd and 3rd) will be announced at a special awards ceremony. The three winners will receive € 10,000 each and the 6 runners-up will receive €2,500 each.

Deadline to submit projects is 29 September 2022.

All details on how to take part are available here.

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L'articolo EU Sport Awards | Nominations Open proviene da Youth Networks.

Such questions may find an answer, or multiple answers, looking at running European projects: what is the idea of solidarity behind them, how they have been created, what is their impact on society, how they “measure” solidarity.

Solidarity in European Projects

Hereby three articles that analyze solidarity projects and their impact on society:

1. Jekatyerina Dunajeva – “Trans-border Solidarity: Romani Movement towards a Stronger Europe“; Jekatyerina Dunajeva is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Pázmány Péter Catholic University’s Department of Political Science. In addition, Katya is also a Researcher and Program Manager at Central European University’s Center for Teaching and Learning (Erasmus+ project).
2. Gilles Buffet -“Solidarity within the European Solidarity Corps“; Gilles Buffet is the European projects coordinator at CRIJ Grand Est (Regional Youth Information Center of Grand Est), implementing European voluntary projects since 2007.
3. Peter Mitchell – “A Bridge to Inclusion: Empowering Marginalised Target Groups Through Solidarity Projects“; Dr. Peter Mitchell is a cultural historian, experienced non-formal education trainer, and co-founder and Executive Director of Lernlabor.

Europe Talks Solidarity

The Resource Center of SALTO carried out a serie of events focusing on solidarity, with the aim of gathering expertise on solidarity, creating a space for discussion and highlighting different angles and perspectives. 

The work goes under the title “Europe Talks Solidarity“.

There are several publications and materials as a result of such events, open to download. For example, the comprehensive report on Europe talks solidarity.

One of the main priorities of the Resource Centre is to contribute to a common narrative on the concept Solidarity within the Solidarity Corps Programme and beyond. They aim to stimulate thinking about solidarity, its relevance in Europe and in international youth work and hope to motivate actors to engage and act in solidarity in, with and through their projects.

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L'articolo The Meaning of Solidarity in European Projects proviene da Youth Networks.

The partners of the project are:

• Citizens in Action
• Xarxa CooperaSec
• STRANAIDEA
• Kaleido’Scop
• Nexes
• Confcooperative Piemonte Nord
• Unis-Cité

The Project

The overall objective of the project is to visualize the social impact of entrepreneurship initiatives in SSE, especially those ones promoted by young people.

According to that, SSEds wants to:

• reinforce methodologies to accompany young people in entrepreneurship in SSE, especially those with fewer opportunities;
• strengthen the competences and visions in SSE so that young people can undertake initiatives in their communities;
• elaborate new tools for SSE, fruit of a collective creation;
• create instruments for the evaluation of the social impact of SSE initiatives.

Over its duration, from January 2020 to December 2021, the partners of SSEds have elaborated 2 intellectual outputs:

• a “Toolbox on values, sustainability and social impact of the ESS“
• a “Training Module to approach young people to the ESS“, with focus on the social impact of the ESS

Toolbox on Values, Sustainability and Social Impact of the ESS

The “Toolbox on values, sustainability and social impact of the Social and Solidarity Economy” intends to provide SSE actors, who guide and educate (mostly) in sustainable and value-based SSE activities, a user-friendly system of classified SSE tools/methods. These tools/methods should be useful, at different stages and with different purposes and target groups, to guide young people towards their entrepreneurship in SSE.

Part of the Toolbox, the Imp’Act tool guides the user through building their own social impact assessment of an SSE project or initiative. It grounds on the values and principles of SSE, but it is applicable to all kinds of social projects and initiatives, also outside the SSE field.

Training Module to Approach Young People to the ESS

This training module provides concrete educational approaches to focus on social impact, for young people who are in the process of creating an SSE project. Overall, it aims at maximizing the potential for social transformation of future SSE initiatives.

“On a train to social impact” grounds on the principles of non-formal education and is a resource for facilitators that support young people in their educational path towards Social Solidarity Economy.

Outputs’ Objectives

Such outputs have been created for the benefit of young people and the actors of social and solidarity economy who want to deepen their knowledge over the topic and to train themselves on the social impact.

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L'articolo Toolbox on Values, Sustainability and Social Impact of Social-Solidarity Economy proviene da Youth Networks.

SALTO Awards 2021

The SALTO Awards 2021 are a recognition to the work done and also an occasion to inspire young people, decision makers and applicants of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps to have a greater impact.

The vote goes to a project that you reckon as of great impact, considering the following areas:

• Digital transformation: evolving integration of digital technologies into the society and youth field;
• Environment and climate action: towards a Sustainable Green Europe with the power of youth;
• Media and Information literacy: promoting critical thinking and media literacy to foster youth participation;
• Solidarity and volunteering: changing Europe for the better with “the power of together”;
• Youth participation: shaping Europe’s democracy through youth engagement, connection, and empowerment.

Successful Criteria of European Solidarity Corps projects

To be impactful, it is important that the youth projects constitute the following values:

• Sustainability;
• Visibility;
• Involvement;
• Inclusivity;
• Solidarity;
• Digital advancement.

SALTO Awards 2021 Celebration

On November 11th 2021, S.A.L.T.O. will be celebrating the SALTO Awards 2021. You can join the event online in livestream at 5-7pm. See the event.

The five main nominations for the best projects of the year are:

1. Digital transformation;
2. Environmental and Climate action;
3. Media and Information literacy;
4. Solidarity and Volunteering;
5. Youth Participation.

Each nomination category will be represented by the top-5 projects and the member of the jury board, who will announce the winner.

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European Solidarity Corps: Get Inspiration For Your European Project!

L'articolo European Solidarity Corps Projects With SALTO Awards 2021 proviene da Youth Networks.

Getting down to terms, SALTO makes available a database of European projects that have successfully passed the selection.

Get Inspiration for Your European Project

In their collection you can find European youth participation projects to get inspiration from and motivate anyone who plans, implements or supports projects.

Work together toward a better world.

From the Flagship Projects Collection you can find many different projects on relevant topics, in relation to:

• EU Youth Programme Action, to help you navigate the world of youth opportunities and projects;
• EU Youth Programme Priority, the new EU Youth Programme focused on digital transformation, inclusion&diversity, democratic participation, sustainability, environmental and climate goals.
• Youth Participation Strategy Category, different approaches in how EU Youth Programmes support youth participation in democratic life.

The Erasmus Plus Programme

Ready to change the world? A part from getting inspiration from successful European projects under the Erasmus Plus and European Solidarity Corps programmes, you can learn more about such programmes and find local contact points.

SALTO releases also many training activities on Erasmus Plus and European Solidarity Corps, in the field of youth and non-formal education across Europe.

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Volunteering Teams in High Priority Areas

L'articolo European Solidarity Corps: Get Inspiration For Your European Project! proviene da Youth Networks.

An educational group travel to explore European migration societies

The Schwarzkopf Stiftung is a German Foundation that pursues a Europe of openness, solidarity and democracy and a tolerant, open-minded and pluralistic European civil society. Their purpose being to empower young people from all backgrounds to be active European citizens. In this sense, contributing to a pluralistic, democratic society and mutual understanding.

They are calling for ten young Europeans to join them for a trip through Postmigrant Europe.

The Background

The corona pandemic creates distance in Europe, as existing inequalities are rising as a result of the pandemic. Fundamental values such as respect and openness are increasingly being attacked by anti-democratic and authoritarian groups. Media and political debates reject migration and consolidate discrimination. While in fact we have been living in migration societies for a long time. Indeed alliances against migration’s criticism show an inclusive understanding of living together.

The Project: Postmigrant Europe

The question of how we want to live in the future lies primarily in the hands of a young generation and their pluralistic perspectives. In order to find answers for the future, Schwarzkopf Stiftung has organised an Europe trip.

In which Europe do you want to live?
How can young voices be heard?
And what do we mean when we speak of a migration society?

During the educational trip ten young people based in Europe (5 from Germany, 5 from other EU countries) will meet organisations, initiatives and associations. The purpose is to make migration societies visible. Plus enabling the participants to pass their knowledge and experiences on to others.

Requirements

In order to apply for the educational trip “Postmigrant Europe” you have to be:

• between 18-26 years-old;
• willing to go on a group travel to Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands;
• socially or politically active, engaged in cultural or neighbourhood work or in political education;
• interested in topics such as (post) colonialism, alliances against racism and discrimination, European history and present;
• interested about education and media, or already with your own (educational) social media channel;
• ready to share your knowledge with others during and after the trip, and interested in co-developing concepts and modules for the classroom together;
• willing to travel ten days through Europe at the end of August/ beginning of September, either on site or digitally, and learn together.

Applications welcomed from all young people, regardless of their gender, nationality, residence status, sexual identity, religious affiliation or educational background

The Roadmap Across Europe

From Berlin via Amsterdam, Antwerp to Brussels, you will get an overview of the manifestations of inequality from an European perspective, and you will enter into direct exchange with actors, organisations and associations. 

Information and Application

Costs for accommodation, main meals and travel expenses are covered. The trip is funded by the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (BpB).

In accordance with the current developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, the trip to the different locations will alternatively take place as a hybrid or digital trip.
On-site travelling period: 22.08.-01.09.2021
Digital or hybrid travelling period: 23.08.-03.09.21

In the application form you will be able indicate whether you would prefer to only take part in one trip on site, only digitally, or in both formats. We will decide how the trip will be planned at the end of the tender period.

The application deadline is 30th April 2021.

Organisers: Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe, funded by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb).
Contacts for questions:
p.sombetzki@schwarzkopf-stiftung.de
a.altintas@schwarzkopf-stiftung.de

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L'articolo Call for Educational Trip Across (Postmigrant) Europe proviene da Youth Networks.