How I experienced Europe!

Organisation

Eurocentrum Pardubice

Country

Czech Republic

WEBSITE

https://tvorimevropu.cz/pardubice/

Project link

https://tvorimevropu.cz/2024/04/12/spustili-jsme-literarni-soutez-jak-jsem-zazil-a-evropu/

General Overview

The main goal of this project is to share many experiences from different types of European mobilities via this literary competition, which is intended for young participants of mobilities aged 16 to 35. This contest is focused on many types of projects, such as the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange, DiscoverEU competition, Erasmus+ study visit or traineeship programme, European Solidarity Corps, or traineeship programme in the EU institutions.

Thanks to this event, young competitors from the Czech Republic can answer questions like “Have you met the love of your life during your Erasmus+ study visit? Did you go on a work placement and land your dream job? Did you volunteer abroad and did it change your outlook on life? Write to us about it! It doesn’t matter if you changed the world for the better, made friends for life, had the best party of your life, or just got to know yourself better. Tell us your story of how you experienced Europe and win great prizes!”

In any form (essay, reflection, feuilleton, diary, etc.) and at least 1 standard page, participants write personal experiences and stories from different European projects. The three best will win open train tickets to Europe from the RegioJet company (Czech railway company) to the total value of 6000 CZK and Eurodesk goodies. The authors’ reading is also part of this event. Invited young competitors read their stories during this meeting in Café NOTA Pardubice, and organisers announce the results and present the prizes.

The event is organised on the occasion of European Youth Week 2024 and celebrates 20 years of the Czech Republic as a member state of the European Union. The partners of the event are Eurocentrum Hradec Králové and Europe Direct Hradec Králové. The Eurodesk logo and promotion are provided.

Thematic Category Correspondence

(50 points max)

How does this initiative (project, event, material) correspond to the thematic category

This project corresponds to the thematic category (Creative Youth Information) due to the format used – a literary format. Young participants write their real stories based on personal experience during their European stay abroad. Creativity is very important in this project because young people can use many types of literary forms, such as essays, reflections, feuilletons, diaries or letters. It can also be something like a love confession or a love letter. Participants are free to choose the format of their choice and describe their positive and negative experiences or personal enrichment gained during their stay. Every participant can also choose one of the different types of European projects, such as the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange, DiscoverEU competition, Erasmus+ study visit or traineeship programme, European Solidarity Corps or internship programme in the EU institutions (within the European Commission, European Parliament, Czech EU policymakers or representatives). Based on the above, young people have the opportunity to get creative during the project and show their ability to be creative.

Impact

(30 points max)

How did your project impact young people / your community?

The impact of this project on young people and the local community is significant, as young people themselves reflect on the purpose of these activities and opportunities, their own experiences, and the pros and cons of the project. This may motivate them to participate in subsequent projects, or they may inspire other peers through their participation. The project has an impact not only on the community in the Pardubice and Hradec Králové regions but on the whole territory of the Czech Republic. During the authors’ reading event in the calm and friendly environment of Café NOTA Pardubice, there was a debate and mutual sharing of experiences, as well as planning of further activities by individual participants. Most of the participants liked the format of the meeting, so a significant number of them decided to present their experiences to their classmates at high schools and universities across the Czech Republic since the participants were not only from the Pardubice and Hradec Králové regions.

Thanks to their participation in the project, they will try to inspire other young people in their area not to be afraid and to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the European Union. This project can thus significantly contribute to increasing the number of participants in various European Union projects and to raising awareness of the existence and activities of the Eurodesk network. Information about the Eurodesk network’s functioning was sufficiently promoted during this project on the organisers’ websites and social networks, in schools and universities across the Czech Republic, and also through the national network Eurodesk Czech Republic. The contestants were also informed about the Eurodesk network during the authors’ reading on 14 June 2024 at Café NOTA Pardubice.

Green Focus

(10 points max)

Did your project have any green focus and/or did you implement any eco-friendly measures when organising it?

The green and eco-friendly focus of the project is significant due to the online format of this literary competition. The aim of this contest is for authors to submit their works online via the entry form on the organisers’ website, where the work can be uploaded and sent together with the competitor’s contact details. All informational materials about the project, such as posters, invitations, and rules, were created using Canva. Schools and universities were informed about the project by email. Participants wrote their stories using laptops, and the project was also promoted online and through online tools, including the evaluation by the organisers. The results of the competition were published on the website and social media, and the winners were informed by email. A minimal amount of materials was printed during the project.

Media

Additional material

Additional information

Have you applied before?

Yes

Did you win an award before?

No

Did you receive EU funding?

No

Source of funding