Kozani Youth Fest 2023

European Initiative for Youth Empowerment, Mindfulness and Wellbeing - GO Alive

Media materials:

Organisation:

European Initiative for Youth Empowerment, Mindfulness and Wellbeing - GO Alive

Country:

Greece

About organisation:

“GO Alive” youth organization is a youth NGO established in January 2020, which is located in the city center of Kozani in Western Macedonia, Greece.The values, vision and aims of the Organisation are:● The educational, professional, cultural and mental empowerment and development of young people (especially thosewith fewer opportunities due to social, economic or geographical obstacles) and the improvement of their skills andcompetences, by facilitating their active citizenship, employment and transition to the job market.● The support of the mobility of young volunteers, trainees and employees by promoting youth work and youthinitiatives.● The promotion of mindfulness, self-awareness, wellbeing, a healthy and a balanced lifestyle, with an emphasis onprevention and active / healthy aging.● The spreading of volunteerism, freedom, democracy, human rights, gender equality , social inclusion and solidarity,human dignity, the role of the active citizen.

Contact person:

Maria Stefanidou

Title of the project

Kozani Youth Fest 2023

Start date:

October 20, 2023

End date:

October 22, 2023

Source of funding:

Hellenic Ministry of Culture (Greece)

Objectives:

The 2nd KOZANI YOUTH FEST 2023, coordinated by GO Alive in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Western Macedonia Region, Kozani Chamber of Commerce, and the Municipality of Kozani, was a resounding success from October 20-22, 2023. The festival, celebrating the European Year of Skills, was held during the "time to move" Eurodesk campaign and aimed to enhance youth skills, promote lifelong learning, and foster digital and green growth. It offered interactive workshops, engaging talks, and networking opportunities, thanks to contributions from local institutions, businesses, and invaluable volunteers.The Kozani Youth Fest 2023 featured an array of activities and workshops focused on upskilling, digital literacy, innovation, empowerment, and environmental sustainability. Highlights included forums on reskilling, discussions on digital skills, innovation in modern times, and youth empowerment through volunteering. Workshops ranged from nutrition, mental health, 3D printing, and recycling to sessions on finding one's Ikigai, meditation, and effective feedback. The festival also hosted infokiosks, interactive labs on digital wellbeing, community empowerment, and sustainable living, alongside cultural and artistic engagements, all aimed at fostering skills, knowledge, and active participation among the youth.This initiative empowered more than 500 young individuals and strengthened community ties among 15 organisations.More information: https://goalive.eu/kozaniyouthfe

Why does it correspond to the thematic category:

The Kozani Youth Fest 2023 aligns with the Creative Youth Information category by innovatively promoting European opportunities through skill-building workshops and interactive forums. It emphasized digital literacy, green growth, and youth empowerment, leveraging creative methods to engage and inform young people. By integrating cultural activities with educational content, the festival created a dynamic platform for learning, networking, and personal development, making European opportunities more accessible and appealing to youth, and exemplifying creative information dissemination. Its creative approach in facilitating direct engagement with professionals, institutions, and businesses, alongside practical workshops and vibrant youth parties, exemplifies a dynamic model of youth information dissemination. This festival not only empowered young individuals but also fostered a sense of European solidarity and community connectivity, making it a deserving candidate for the Eurodesk Creative Youth Information Award.

The impact the initiative had on young people and the local community:

The Kozani Youth Fest 2023 significantly impacted young people and the local community by enhancing awareness of European opportunities, skill development, and environmental sustainability. It empowered participants through hands-on workshops and dialogues, fostering a sense of European identity and active citizenship. The festival also strengthened community bonds and supported local economic growth by involving local businesses and cultural organizations, promoting social cohesion, and encouraging youth entrepreneurship and innovation, thereby contributing to the region's digital and green transition.More than 100 young people took part in the opening youth forum on Friday 20th of October 2023, approximately 200 young people participated in the 17 interactive workshops and more than 500 were approached and informed during the youth party on Saturday 21st of October 2023.The Kozani Youth Fest 2023 brought together a diverse coalition of organizations, each contributing unique expertise and resources. These ranged from Hyperion Robotics, innovating with 3D printing technology, to CluBE, focusing on bioeconomy and environmental sustainability. EAST WEST offered insights into textile recycling, while MYFEO and IONOS NGO addressed mental health and social inclusion. ESN Western Macedonia and ARSIS Kozani engaged with youth mobility and social arts, respectively. The involvement of these organizations contributed to youth empowerment and community building.

How it ensured the visibility and promotion of Eurodesk:

The visibility and promotion of Eurodesk during the Kozani Youth Fest 2023 were ensured through various strategies. The festival leveraged social media campaigns, partnerships with local organizations, and an interactive information kiosk by GO Alive ngo to disseminate information about Eurodesk's opportunities. Workshops and forums highlighted Eurodesk's resources, fostering awareness among attendees about European mobility, education, and volunteering opportunities. Additionally, promotional materials (including bags, postcards, leaflets) featuring Eurodesk branding were distributed, ensuring that the Eurodesk mission was prominently featured throughout the event.

How it respected the green principles:

The Kozani Youth Fest 2023 upheld Eurodesk green principles by implementing eco-friendly practices, such as digital promotion to minimize paper use, recycling stations throughout the venue, and workshops focused on sustainable living and green growth. Efforts were made to minimize the environmental footprint of the event, promoting awareness and action among participants towards a sustainable future, aligning with Eurodesk's commitment to environmental stewardship.More specifically, Kozani Youth Fest 2023 emphasized Eurodesk's green principles through 4 specific workshops focused on environmental sustainability. These included sessions on the New European Bauhaus initiative (Saturday 21/10/23 at 13.00) by CluBE, recycling textiles with EastWest (Saturday 21/10/23 at 16.00), exploring local green initiatives by GO Alive NGO (Sunday 22/10/23 at 12.00), and understanding bioeconomy with CluBE (Sunday 22/10/23 at 13.00). These workshops not only promoted eco-consciousness among participants but also showcased practical steps towards sustainable living, aligning perfectly with Eurodesk's commitment to green principles and environmental stewardship.

The 2nd KOZANI YOUTH FEST 2023, coordinated by GO Alive in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Western Macedonia Region, Kozani Chamber of Commerce, and the Municipality of Kozani, was a resounding success from October 20-22, 2023. The festival, celebrating the European Year of Skills, was held during the “time to move” Eurodesk campaign and aimed to enhance youth skills, promote lifelong learning, and foster digital and green growth. It offered interactive workshops, engaging talks, and networking opportunities, thanks to contributions from local institutions, businesses, and invaluable volunteers.
The Kozani Youth Fest 2023 featured an array of activities and workshops focused on upskilling, digital literacy, innovation, empowerment, and environmental sustainability. Highlights included forums on reskilling, discussions on digital skills, innovation in modern times, and youth empowerment through volunteering. Workshops ranged from nutrition, mental health, 3D printing, and recycling to sessions on finding one’s Ikigai, meditation, and effective feedback. The festival also hosted infokiosks, interactive labs on digital wellbeing, community empowerment, and sustainable living, alongside cultural and artistic engagements, all aimed at fostering skills, knowledge, and active participation among the youth.
This initiative empowered more than 500 young individuals and strengthened community ties among 15 organisations.
More information: https://goalive.eu/kozaniyouthfe