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BiodiverCity

2020-3-IT03-KA105-0200142020Youth mobilityfinalized
Countries: IT|EL|CY|SK|HR|LT · Grant: €22,885
Civic engagement / responsible citizenshipEnvironment and climate changeRural development and urbanisation

Objectives

Cicala, like all European rural countries, suffers from the ever increasing phenomenon of depopulation, so much so that it has a demographic decrease of about 2000 inhabitants from 1960 to today, reaching the current 950 residents, despite this the country is active, relying on numerous small companies, associations and a close-knit community. The purpose of the association and the young people who are part of it is to enhance the territory and its characteristics. The Terra Mater Association is active in the territory of Cicala, a small village located 900 meters above sea level, located in the hinterland of the last region of Europe, Calabria, as regards topics such as: culture, economic development and inclusion social, but one of the first for early school leaving. Despite these social difficulties, the village, as well as the entire area, does not suffer from the scourge of organized crime. This could be a strength for social change. The idea of ​​this project was born from our desire to enhance our territory and diversity (environmental, cultural, socio-economic) with the help of other young Europeans and guided by the experience in the sector of our partners, setting ourselves as a goal the exchange of information, so that they can subsequently be implemented in their context, paying particular attention to what are European values. This project thus responds to the Erasmus + objectives of socio-economic improvement, social inclusion, fight against unemployment (Entrepreneurship), help for the local economy, education in EU values, improvement of intercultural awareness. Cicala is a village surrounded by forests, mountains and Calabrian greenery, at the same time it risks an almost total abandonment despite the fact that the town could become dynamic and stand out thanks to all the resources at its disposal. We often complain that resources are not valued, which is why as an association we are committed to strengthening reception and acceptance, and this is what we plan to do with this project. The opportunity to take advantage of uninhabited places and spaces that are facing continuous depopulation, is in itself a solution, albeit temporary, to bring life and innovation to a community. All of this could be an exemplary method to take advantage of disused spaces. We will bring Europe and cultural diversity to our city for the first time through this project and the Erasmus+ program, this is how the title of the project was born, which aims through its activities to bring a lasting and very strong impact. Bringing young Europeans to a village in the Calabrian hinterland will promote the culture and value of being all European citizens. The project is based in a mountain village, where the anthropogenic effects on nature are still minimal and have little impact, thus giving an almost intact environmental context if you think of other European realities. Furthermore, the aim of the project is to promote values ​​of environmental sustainability and at the same time stem the continuous depopulation. This aim can be achieved by enhancing the traditions of the place that are based on ancient environmental awareness that are handed down from generation to generation (such as respect for nature and sustainable agriculture). The specific objectives of BiodiverCity are: - restore the mountain paths in nature that are characterized by abandonment and incivility; - promote and enhance the territory of Cicala and the surrounding areas; - bring diversity and dynamism to a place at risk of abandonment; - promote the European discussion on sustainable development; - to increase the awareness of young people regarding the care of the local natural heritage; - respond to the needs of participants from rural areas with fewer opportunities; - preserve, restore and enhance forest-related ecosystems; - promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas; Furthermore, our project touches on the following themes, which are also integrated in the future activities of the European Union for agricultural development: - actions to combat climate change; - protect the environment; - safeguard the landscape and biodiversity; - support the generational change; - develop dynamic rural areas; - protect the quality of nutrition and health;

Project partners (6)