Project camp "ActiveIdeas"

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NGO Youth Club Active

Organisation:

NGO Youth Club Active

Country:

Estonia

About organisation:

NGO Youth Club Active is a mobile youth organisation, which was created with help of the Youth Center Vihasoo, which is working since 1994 in the field of youth in Tallinn, Estonia. (www.vihasoo.ee)We involve youth from the age of 11th years old and provide variety of activities for self-development.The role of our organization is to promote the non-formal education, to involve youngsters in different social activities on local and international levels.Since 2020 we have status of the open youth centre.

Title of the project

Project camp "ActiveIdeas"

Start date:

16/12/2022

End date:

18/12/2022

Objectives:

From 16-18 December, a project camp “ActiveIdeas” was held, where young people aged 13-26 tried their hand at writing their own projects. Participants were introduced to Eurodesk, international opportunities and the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes. Over the three days, the participants learnt:- generate ideas- formulate goals and look for solutions to problems- work in teams- complete a project application form (Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps)- present their project prototypes.It was a productive 3 days, through which interesting projects were born. After the project camp, the participants continue working on their projects and prepare to submit them on 23 February. As a result of the productive work and support of the mentors, 1 youth exchange, 1 local ESC initiative project and 1 international project for youth workers will be submitted on 23 February. More info about the project camp is here : https://clubactive.eu/portfolio/active-ideas/

Why the project was: empowering young people, adapting to changing realities, or thinking out of the box:

This project is really empowering for Russian-speaking youth in Estonia, as this kind of event is held in Estonian or English, but here participants were able to learn about international opportunities in their native language and get answers and support in their language, which is very important considering the age of participants, who ranged from 13-26 years old. The project provided a safe and non-threatening environment for the children, supported by youth workers and informal methods. For some participants it was their first experience of writing projects and an introduction to the Erasmus and ESC programmes. Feedback from participants confirmed the importance and necessity of such events, when you not only get information on opportunities, but also have the opportunity to put them into practice immediately on the spot and get the necessary support from experienced youth workers. The results of the project confirm the interest of young people in this kind of project, as the participants are still pursuing their ideas and want to submit them on 23 February.

How the project was inclusive:

The aim of this project was to introduce young people to international programmes and to try their hand at writing a project in the Erasmus+ programme and the European Solidarity Corps. Participants filled in a project application form, learning about the priorities and objectives of the European programme and European values. There was also time at the project camp for participants to familiarise themselves with the Eurodesk platform and its objectives.

Green aspect:

Throughout the project camp, we used digital format and recycled paper, eliminated the use of disposable utensils, and participants brought their own water bottles. Instead of printing materials, a separate telegram chat was created where all the necessary materials were sent to the participants.

How the project has given a European dimension to your event and ensured the visibility and promotion of Eurodesk?

The aim of this project was to introduce young people to international programmes and to try their hand at writing a project in the Erasmus+ programme and the European Solidarity Corps. Participants filled in a project application form, learning about the priorities and objectives of the European programme and European values. There was also time at the project camp for participants to familiarise themselves with the Eurodesk platform and its objectives.

Impact:

The project is primarily aimed at young people, thus giving them the opportunity to show their civic initiative by writing projects. When generating ideas for the project, the participants were guided by issues that concern them in their community or surroundings, thereby demonstrating civic initiative as well. The project generated ideas for a youth exchange on the importance of cultural heritage, a youth exchange on bullying and a youth worker exchange on sex education among young people. A safe space was created for the participants, where they could meet and try their hand at writing projects, surrounded by others like them. The experience will have a positive impact on their lives and they will be able to use these skills in the future. The social media coverage of this project has interested the other young people who visit the youth centre, thereby informing the local community about the opportunities to participate and directly address their concerns through the Erasmus+ and ESC programmes.