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LAST BUT NOT LEAST

2023-1-IT03-KA152-YOU-0001148632023Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: IT|BG|ES · Grant: €22,800
Awareness about the European UnionDemocracy and inclusive democratic participationDigital transformation planning and implementation

Objectives

The Last but not Least project was conceived to restore visibility and value to the rupestrian site of Zungri—an exceptional yet still little-known heritage site—while at the same time offering young people from the local community and from partner countries an opportunity for personal, professional, and intercultural growth. Our ambition was to demonstrate that even a small peripheral community, often perceived as “marginal” compared to larger cities and mainstream tourist circuits, can become a European laboratory for cultural innovation, youth participation, and sustainable development. The overall objectives can be summarised along three main directions: to promote the enhancement of cultural heritage through a European perspective; to strengthen the skills and empowerment of young participants; and to encourage the creation of lasting transnational networks. Within this framework, a series of more specific goals guided every phase of the project. A first goal was to shed new light on the rupestrian site of Zungri, raising awareness among institutions, local communities, and cultural stakeholders about the importance of initiating new research and archaeological excavations. The Erasmus+ experience was regarded as a key tool to attract European interest and to create favourable conditions for the revival of the site, overcoming the reductionist view that for years has classified such settlements as “minor” heritage. A second goal was to promote a model of cultural and sustainable tourism. The intention was to engage young participants in exploration, research, and design activities that encouraged them to imagine responsible forms of tourism, able to valorise not only the site of Zungri but also other rupestrian locations in Southern Italy and across the Mediterranean area. The creation of an integrated map of rupestrian sites (MITARIS) represented a cornerstone of this objective: a shared tool to connect local heritage, develop common narratives, and stimulate forms of inclusive and widespread tourism. A third goal was to provide young people with new opportunities for growth, both personal and professional. Through workshops, role-playing games, fieldwork, and non-formal education methodologies, participants were able to develop essential transversal skills: teamwork, leadership, communication, problem-solving, digital literacy, and creative and intercultural project design. In this way, the project contributed to increasing the employability of the young participants, equipping them with tangible tools for their future academic, professional, and social paths. A fourth goal consisted in fostering marketing and digitalisation processes related to cultural heritage. The project offered opportunities to experiment with innovative communication strategies, social media use, the creation of multimedia content, and awareness campaigns on responsible tourism. This allowed young participants not only to train their digital skills but also to contribute to enhancing the visibility of their territory in a contemporary and international way. A fifth goal was to open stable collaborations with European partners, universities, cultural institutions, and local communities. Thanks to the exchange, young people and organisations had the opportunity to meet, share good practices, generate new ideas, and reinforce the transnational dimension of their work. This European perspective not only expanded the linguistic and intercultural knowledge of participants but also laid the groundwork for future initiatives of cooperation in the fields of archaeological research, sustainable tourism, and active citizenship. All these objectives were closely interconnected and responded to an integrated vision: to use cultural heritage as a starting point for generating inclusion, participation, innovation, and opportunities for young people. The project did not aim merely to transmit historical or technical knowledge; rather, it sought to stimulate a broader reflection on the role that young people can play in the development of their communities and in the construction of a more cohesive and supportive Europe.

Project partners (3)