project description.
Smart, inclusive and sustainable growth are key objectives of Europe 2020 strategy being shared by the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans. To be able to fulfill these objectives, it is necessary to invest in human and social capital, and especially equip young people with the skills that will enable them to become actively involved in decision making processes and in building democratic life in their societies. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles that are preventing young people, especially young people with fewer opportunities, to fully develop their potentials and get activated. Moreover, vulnerable youth is being discriminated, neglected and it is facing additional challenges and obstacles that are limiting their chances to get fully involved in decision making process and take part in the society.
By providing group of young people with fewer opportunities facing social, economic, geographical obstacles and cultural differences (30 young people and 6 group leaders) coming from 6 countries (Belgium, Macedonia, Croatia, Greece, Spain and Latvia) an opportunity to meet in the mountain village of Brajcino, located near Prespa Lake, the project aimed to change the common perception and take different look on ‘village life’ through the lens of the photo and video cameras. Firstly, the participants, joined by local youth, had a chance to take part in interactive workshops focused on developing their media competencies, and after they had an opportunity to create their own stories and tell them through photos and short clips that were afterwards spread via social media with the goal to reach wider horizons of audience all around the Europe and provide them an opportunity to see the life in rural village from different perspectives.
The Youth Exchange was also an opportunity for the local youth to increase their intercultural skills and competencies, establish new contacts and get new ideas for development of their rural communities.
The project activities will be based on using non-formal education methodology supporting active involvement of the participants in the process of learning. The activities will be used on ‘learning from each other’ as the session will be delivered by the participants for the participants. Through the youth exchange they will take part in teamwork activities, leadership challenges, practical workshops focus on creating media products, discussions and debates, role plays and also in reflection and evaluation activities.
The key impact of the youth exchange was on directly involving participants, participating organizations and young people coming from local community. The participants developed a set of new competencies, and contributed to breaking stereotypes and prejudices that young people in rural areas face by creating and spreading media products such as videos and articles. The organizations benefited especially from new partnerships and strengthened network, and also from newly acquired methodologies, tools and practices that they can apply at their work.
