The project “The Melting Pot” is a 15 months project involving three Networks of youth workers and three cultural institutions from Serbia, Croatia and The Republic of North Macedonia - NAPOR, Galerija Matice Srpske, Mreža mladih Hrvatske, Pogon – Zagrebački centar za nezavisnu kulturu i mlade, Sojuz za mladinska rabota Skopje, and Opstinska ustanova Muzej na grad Negotino, with the aim to bring cultural institutions closer to all young people through youth work programs. Therefore, it is important to create cross-sectoral cooperation between youth and culture and develop innovative, interactive and inclusive methods and tools for work with young people in cultural institutions, especially with young people with different backgrounds, as well as create preconditions for the professionalism of youth workers and employees in cultural institutions. The aims of partnership in this project are: - To increase visibility and recognition of youth work and cultural institutions’ potential to respond to the identified needs of various youth groups at local, national, regional and EU level. - To raise the quality of youth work across the region by introducing innovative and creative methods integrated into culture and arts programs. - To increase professionalism of youth workers and employees in cultural institutions by creating curricula for their education. - To establish cross-sectoral cooperation among youth workers and cultural institutions at national and regional level. Main results of the project are: Detailed insight into the answers of way youth not participate in cultural activities, as well as insight into possible approaches and appropriate methods to change the situation. Collected regional and EU innovative methods enriched the capacity of youth workers and employees in cultural institutions and resulted in quality provision of services for youth. Created Curricula and youth work programs increased professionalism of youth and cultural workers. Various multiplying events raised awareness of relevant stakeholders (youth from fever opportunities, youth and cultural workers, decision makers and journalist) at national and regional level about importance of investing in youth work services in cultural institutions and its positive implication on youth development. Journalists motivated to report about youth, youth work and culture at the national and regional level. Study visit to Serbia built capacity of youth workers and cultural institutions by gaining knowledge and new insights about innovative good practices applicable for creation of youth work programs in cultural institutions. Laid foundation for fruitful cross-sectoral cooperation among youth workers and cultural institutions at national and regional level. In order to reach the results several activities are planned: - Comparative research on the needs of various youth groups related to culture conducted in 3 countries involving 350 youth ( thereof 140 young people with different backgrounds); - Curricula for education of youth workers in cultural institutions and development of six youth work programs applicable in various cultural institutions; - In the testing phase 60 young people (30 from fewer opportunities groups) will be actively involved in the youth work programs performed in cultural institutions by 6 youth and cultural workers from 3 countries; - Booklet “Melting pot of innovation in youth work and cultural institutions” containing up to 15 innovative and creative methods used in cultural activities for various youth groups, reflecting Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian and EU level; - Study visit in Serbia for 12 youth workers and cultural institutions representatives; - Cooperation with 30 journalists from national, regional and local media in 3 countries participated in the ME 1-3 Melting pot – served as breakfast to journalists; - ME Melting pot – demonstration of innovation! for 30 youth with fewer opportunities, 30 youth workers and 30 cultural institutions from Croatia, Serbia and The Republic of North Macedonia; - ME Regional melting pot – innovations, culture and youth work for 30 youth workers, various cultural institutions and authorities from regional and national level from 3 countries and up to 50 participants from EU countries; - Visibility and promotional actions reaching youth workers from 150 organisations and 150 cultural institutions from Serbia, Croatia and The Republic of North Macedonia and up to 200.000 people of the wider public. Careful plan for dissemination and exploitation of the project results is designed in order to promote the project outputs and outcomes to wide range of organizations and institutions working on national, regional and European level in the field of youth work.
The partnership overall aim was to bring cultural institutions closer to all young people through youth work programs by applying interactive, innovative methods and tools, as well as create preconditions for the professionalism of youth workers and employees in cultural institutions. Specifically: - To increase visibility and recognition of youth work and cultural institutions’ potential to respond to the identified needs of various youth groups at local, national, regional and EU level. - To raise the quality of youth work across the region by introducing innovative and creative methods integrated into culture and arts programs. - To increase the professionalism of youth workers and employees in cultural institutions by creating curricula for their education. - To establish cross-sectoral cooperation among youth workers and cultural institutions at the national and regional
Cultural institutions are reporting that youth are less interested in the offer of the traditional cultural content. According to the Eurostat, 94% of youth in the EU-27 made daily use of the internet, and 92% of youth used mobile phones for that purpose. Cultural institutions need to follow the development of technology and create interactive methods and approaches in presenting cultural content to young people. Partners considered the recommendations from the EACEA final report "Access of young people to culture" where it's emphasized that access and participation are the key elements for ensuring the cultural rights of young people, therefore, it is recommended to “take into consideration the non-users, through surveys, contacts with communities and NGOs. Analyse the reasons for not coming, and what it would require bringing different audiences to the institution. The use of new technologies, non-formal educational programs and volunteer activities may help to engage them. Equip staff with the expertise and skills to manage cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. This may require the setting up of training and discussions also in networks and partnerships with other cultural and academic institutions and with NGOs, etc."