The international youth exchange took place from 24th July to 2 August 2019, in Verbania, Italy. The course brought together young people and youth workers from Serbia, Belgium, Cyprus, Romania, Italy and Greece. 

Topic

The themes approached:   

• Young people
• Theatre, dance and creativity
• Inclusion, tolerance, social & cultural diversity
• Inclusive development    

Project summary

Together we live is aimed at including newcomers and rural youth. Among other marginalized and minority groups, experiencing more social disparities because of the structural barriers they face every day.  

Most importantly, we want to confront on these barriers wich are geographical or situational. For example, by connecting young people who stem from histories of marginalization, discrimination and other social injustices.  

Belonging to one or an intersection of these identities increases a youth’s risk of unemployment and social exclusion. In this framework we want to activate marginalized Young people. Likewise, the main idea is to find strategies to overcome the barriers they face. In other words, impeding their social integration, supporting them toward a better access to support services, economic restrictions.  In other words, final goal is empower marginalized Young people and increase the chances to reach a good life quality and be active in the community.  

Also, reducing barriers to integration for marginalized youth within a community will require the help of the young people who experience these barriers. This is why this youth exchange want to engage marginalized and minority youth to think and confront on ways to make their community a more inclusive place for young people.

In short, we want to help marginalized and minority youth. They need to be aware that they have diverse knowledge, perspectives and lived experiences that, if tapped into, can greatly enrich European community cohesion efforts. 

Results

In conclusion, the team selected by our organization included participants from Constanta, Arges and Mures. The activities focused on engaging marginalized and minority youth to think and confront on ways to make their community a more inclusive place for young people.  

During the course, non-formal education methods were used:  

• Thematic workshops
• Creative work
• Meetings
• Projects development 

The final event brought together international young people and local communities and advocated for a more inclusive society. As a result, the goal was to realize a social campaign spreading youth considerations for engaging rural, newcomer youth in the construction of a more inclusive Europe.  

A long-term goal for the project is to raise participants; their awareness and understanding of other cultures and countries through reducing of the negative influence of intolerance and discrimination.