The Youth Social Act Erasmus+ project reunites 25 young people in Thessaloniki to promote active citizenship in local governance
From 9 to 13 February, 25 young people coming from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France and Portugal gathered in Thessaloniki (Greece) to participate in a study visit organised under the framework of the Youth Social Act Erasmus + project.
5 different countries, 25 different backgrounds, personalities and perspectives. But a common goal: learning how to promote alternative forms of social and civic youth participation in democratic life.
After the September’s transnational training course held in Cyprus and the November’s videomaking workshop held in Strasbourg (France), ALDA sent 5 young participants from Strasburg to join this third part of the Youth Social Act project in Greece.
A rewarding week marked by meetings and workshops with local associations
The Study Visit in Thessaloniki was hosted by the United Societies of Balkans (USB), our Greek partner organisation. It took the participant to meet several local realities which work everyday to promote civic engagement at a local level:
- Infinity Europe, a social entrepreneurship aimed at helping youth develop digital, medi and entrepreneurial skills.
- Understanding Europe, an educational network committed to foster democracy, diversity and participation.
- Europe Direct Thessaloniki, the information center on the European institutions and opportunities.
- In ContACT, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting gender equality and justice in society.
All of them represented a source of inspiration for the participants who had the unique opportunity to directly learn from their practical experience and to start brainstorming with them possible local initiatives to strengthen civic society participation in democratic life.
Unity in Diversity: how democracy promotion starts with understanding cultural differences
At the end of the week, the participants provided feedback on the study visit. For all of them, the overall experience was positive for different reasons. But there was a point which all 25 young people agreed on. Talking to each other and establishing connections, discovering the culture of France, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Cyprus, learning words and expressions from these countries, tasting their food, listening to their music, understanding their political and social system… This is what made the visit unique for all of them.
About the Project
Youth Social Act is an Erasmus+ project aims at promoting alternative forms of active social and civic youth participation in democratic life, at local level. How? supporting youth initiatives co-designed, co-created and implemented by young people for young people. It focuses on six main priorities for youth: diversity, equality, equity and inclusion, involvement in decision-making processes, social inclusion and integration, sustainable green societies, healthy lifestyles, as well as cultural and creative diverse expressions.