EKO is happy to announce that one more amazing youth exchange has been successfully completed. The project “AGORA” united 45 young participants from Greece, Netherlands, Italy, Lithuania and Slovakia. It was organized by the Italian organization Associazione Viaggi Senza Frontiere Onlus, and took place in a small and graphic village of Florence, called Barberino di Mugello (Italy) from 6 to 16 of April 2023. 

Aims & Objectives of the project

In our days, human societies across the globe are more interconnected than ever, thanks to technological advances & communication revolution, which have turned the world into a “global village”. Despite of this great interconnection it is more difficult than ever, people to be integrated and connected among them, people feel more alone than ever, as internet and social media have reshaped the way we approach and build new relationships. Therefore, there is a real need to unite young people through direct contact, dialogue, cultural and personal sharing, through initiatives aiming to bring active participation in cities.

More specifically the objectives were:

-to promote active citizenship and to increase the sense of initiative of young people from different backgrounds

– to promote social integration, inclusion and solidarity through active partecipation and common working

– to promote diversity and increasing the involving of marginalised young people

– to establish and strengthen cross-border partnerships and inspiring follow-up activities

Workshops & Activities of the project

The project’s main aim was to address everyday issues and try to make a change in our everyday lifestyle. Through this project, participants had the opportunity to discuss, reflect and raise awareness about civic participation and also had the opportunity to develop their creativity. In this way, the participants felt empowered, with initiative and with the opportunity to create and participate in society. During the week, they worked with a non-formal methodology, with dynamics, debates, they worked in small groups, had creative presentations, theatre and expression exercises as well as artistic creations. 

In summary, all participants worked together and reflected on the topic of active participation in social life and developed activities based on the NFE related to awareness in relation to active participation, citizenship, integration, cohesion. All team members developed different skills and competencies while acquiring new knowledge. They were able to develop skills such as sense of initiative, creativity, artistic expression, teamwork, the ability to energize, practice languages, reflection and critical thinking… and definitely lots of certain skill.

An amazing opportunity and great experience for EKO’s team

Eirini, Panagiotis, Ilias, Ioanna, Konstantinos, Thomas, Vanessa, Michalis and Timoleon were the members of this amazing Greek team whom we really wanna thank for all their contribution and collaboration throughout the project!

As EKO, we are very grateful for that amazing opportunity given to the Greek team and we thank our partner Laura Bartoletti and the members of the hosting organization for all their hard work and for creating such an impactful project!

Thank you – Ευχαριστούμε – Grazie mille