Project Summary

The project YOUNG LEADERS INTERNATIONAL MEETING aims to support the youth participation in representative democracies and in civil societies. Moreover, it works to support the participation and engagement of young people and youth organisations in the process of elaboration, realisation, and evaluation of policies through a structured dialogue. One of the main objectives consists in creating or modifying national laws to enhance the youth condition.

SOS Europa, with all partners involved, wants to use the structured dialogue as a tool to improve the cooperation among young people. Moreover, it  aims to engage a greater number of young people, in particular those with fewer opportunities, in the European policy making process.

The main objective is “allowing young people to take part of an heterogenous, connected, and inclusive Europe – Ready for the life, Ready for the society. “ This project aims to give people the opportunity to get in touch with those organisations involved in the promotion of active citizenship and in the improvement of youth policies. It involves 48  young people (24 men and 24 women), plus 12 facilitators or experts in the field, for a total amount of 60 participants (28 with fewer opportunities), coming from 12 different countries.

The project includes a transnational meeting, held in Ciampino, Rome from 27 to 31October 2017 and organised by SOS Europa with the support of all partners.

The activities will be carried out using non formal methods, such as Open Space Technology (OST), Focused Conversation, Future Search Conference, and Structured Dialogue.  The planning and subject of the activities are based on SALTO publications,  such as “Working on Work for All” e “InclusionthroughEmployability”. The YouthPass certificate will be delivered to each participant. To disseminate the results of the projects and the programme Erasmus Plus outside the Italian borders, it will be used several means of divulgation.

After the meeting, 12 local events will be organised to share the results of the projects. Each event will see the participation of at least 100 young people, for a total amount of 12000 people. The project has the following objectives:

-the writing of 12 new law proposals concerning young policies and the approval by national government of 5 of them within the end of the project.

– the participation of at least 40% of participants in other international mobility projects, SVE included, in the following 8 months.

– the active participation, as candidate, of 30% of participants in the elections of their own countries.

– to see involved at least 60% of participants in promoting the active citizenship in their own community.

The specific objectives are to:

• Encourage and promote cross-sectoral cooperation and partnerships between youth organisations and youth work providers in order to develop integrated approaches in relation to citizenship education programmes.
• Encourage the use of non-formal learning in order to promote the development of social skills and abilities related to human rights and democratic values, such as freedom of expression and respect for diversity, through the daily practice of democratic principles.
• Develop ICT skills that allow young people to access, manage, evaluate, and create information online.
• Develop digital tools to enhance political participation of young people, and develop innovative training methodologies designed for teachers, youth workers, trainers and multipliers who work with different target groups in formal education contexts
• Work with different target groups in both formal and non-formal education contexts in order to reach young people at all levels;
• Encourage youth participation in political elections and in the processes and formal structures of participatory democracies, such as political parties.
• Support youth information campaigns and events organized in occasion of democratic elections at local, regional, national and European level.
• Promote EU programmes in support of youth, such as the Erasmus Plus Programme.
• Share good practices.

About SOS EUROPA

SOS EUROPA is an indipendentNGO based in Rome. It was created to spread the European cultural values and for improving integration inside and outside the Union, encouraging mobility of young people by promoting cultural exchange and knowledges exchange, participatory and active European citizenship, networking opportunities. The Association is nonprofit and seeks esclusively scopes of social, human, civil and cultural solidarity and of ethic research. The Association organizes courses, training, seminars and is partner of several European projects.It was founded in January 2016 by young people who have been working in associations and deal with EU issues, and it employs a team of passionate young volunteers, experts in Project Planning and European policies.In particular SOS EUROPA pursues primarily the following aims:commitment to the creation of an intercultural and supportive society, that is directed to encounter and exchange with the Other;  education to civil liability and active citizenship; to develop awareness, social consciousness and competence in young generations; promotion of youth and social policies; cultural education and youth policy at European and international level; promotion of youth mobility in cultural, educational and work opportunities; support for young artists, in the fields of visual arts, theater, music, performing arts and creative freedom in general; to promote free flow of ideas and spread of free software in computer world; to promote and to develop paths of non-formal education.

SOS Europa is partner of the third edition of Italian Gaymes, cultural sporting event against sex discrimination, and Euro 2019 Gaymes partners, a sporting event for the LGBT community. SOS Europa is one of the founders of the Italian National Gay Friendly Team (www.nazionalegay.it). SOS Europa periodically organizes courses about europlanning for its volunteers.Headquartered in Rome, SOS Europa wants to be a reference point for people and organizations interested in the dynamics of European integration.

We are a no-profit social Ngo, with experience in the social and educational sector and a big commitment in the mutualistic field, supporting the general interests of the Community; in the human promotion and the social integration of citizens, encouraging paths based on socialization and solidarity.We are experts in planning and dealing with socio-medical and educational services for the individual, the family and entire social groups in order to prevent difficult situations, permit the cure, the rehabilitation and the integration in everyday life of people with problems.The elements that distinguish us are quality, professionality and personalization in the assistance as well as monitoring and innovation in our processes and our activities.

The most important aspect of our activities is the active participation of the People in need respecting their individuality, their dignity, their rights and their life.We promote the cure of the people who work, respecting their dignity and defending their rights.

 Participants’ Profile

Activists or volunteers involved with partner organisations, with prior experience in the field of civil associations and volunteer organizations, with strong interest in the project’s theme, strongly motivated to participate for the whole duration of the project, committed to the dissemination of results in the medium to long term, interested in a new (or reformed) text of  law in their own country and committed to work for its approval.

The participants are required to involve other peers that do not directly participate in the project. They are also required to constantly monitor and  update the progress of their work, sharing the results with other participants.

All participants are required to speak english and the partner organizations shall offer the necessary support.

Learning Outcomes

Through this project participants will enhance their understanding of the decision-making processes in modern democracies and of the different interests at stake.

On a personal level they will develop soft skills and competences, such as  responsibility, self-reliance, initiative, critical thinking, communication and negotiation skills, problem-solving, empathy and respect for the opinions of others.

Travelling to Italy

All participants are expected to arrive in Ciampino Airport or Fiumicino Airports.

The Erasmus+ rules stipulate participants need to travel using the cheapest means of transport, economy class, direct route without long stopovers. Please see travel cost section below for details of travel reimbursement policy.

Although participants can plan their travel individually and arrive earlier/depart later, the organisers can only commit to reimburse and organise board and lodging during the mentioned training days. If you plan to travel outside the official project dates (27/31October 2017) you should contact us providing the reasons and buy ticket only if permission granted, otherwise you would not get reimbursement. Stopovers of more than 12 hours need to be agreed with the Italian NA.

Participants’ travel costs from their home city to CIAMPINO (Rome) will be reimbursed according to Erasmus+ Programme rules and SOS EUROPA regulations (we are subject to Italian legislation in terms of accounting and book-keeping).

Insurance

Health insurance is not provided and will not be reimbursed by the organisers. All participants are strongly advised to purchase private travel insurance. All EU residents should obtain European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) before the course. Please note that private health care in Italy is extremely costly.

Travel to Hotel

• From Ciampino Airport (Best Option) From the airport take a bus to the train station of Ciampino. Bus stop at Ciampino airport is located just outside the terminal building. It’s a direct journey and it takes about 5 minutes to reach Ciampino railway station. 400 meters from the train station to the Hotel VILLA GIULIA Via Dalmazia, 9.
• From Fiumicino Airport Take the Leonardo Express train (from Fiumicino Airport Rome Termini). From Rome Termini take another train to Ciampino City. From the train station 400 meters to the Hotel VILLA GIULIA Via Dalmazia, 9.

 Venue

Hotel VILLA GIULIA

Via Dalmazia, 9, 00043 Ciampino RMhttp://www.hotelvillagiulia.com/

You will be accommodated in double or triple single-sex rooms with participants from different countries with en suite bathroom. Towels/bed linen will be provided. Food: three nice Italian meals will be served plus two coffee breaks per day.  If you have special dietary needs, please let us know.

TRAVEL EXPENSES:

According to the rules of the E+ and the location of your organizations indicated at application stage (PIC data), the calculated amount for your travel expenses per participant is:

Italy	20 €
Bulgaria, Greece, Latvia, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom	170 €
Estonia	270 €

 

This is the maximum amount that you will receive per person (up to the amount evidenced by receipts, boarding passes, etc., economy/2nd class travel only, shortest and cheapest route) We will also charge a participation fee of 20 EUR per person. The refund will be paid on the current account of the sending association.

 

 

PARTICIPANTS PER GROUP:

Each organization will involve 5 participants:  two men and two women aged between 18 and 30 and one expert (or policymaker) with no limit age.

 

Participation Fee

A participation fee of € 20 will be deducted from the reimbursement of costs incurred for travel. This is to ensure that everyone contributes to the costs of the project at least symbolically.We kindly ask you to keep all your travel documents (invoices and boarding passes).

 

Preparatory process

Each partner will proceed to the selection of participants, who will work before the Meeting on a legislative proposal aimed at introducing (or amending) a new law concerning youth or young generations in their own country. The text should be structured as a real regulatory text. Each partner will provide support and advice to participants. Once your participation is confirmed, please make the following preparations:

• NGO Fair: please bring materials about your organisation and their activities;
• Intercultural Evening: please remember to bring whatever you think is important and worth sharing about your country, community and culture – including food, drinks, Music etc.

Each partner organization must send the 5 completed application forms by one mail to youngleaders@soseuropa.it before 5 th September 2017