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Social circus- creating connection without barriers

2024-1-FR02-KA152-YOU-0002322762024Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: FR|ES|IT|TR|EL · Grant: €37,995
Creativity, arts and culturePhysical and mental health, well-being

Objectives

This project was designed with 2 main activities that involve the partner organizations Cie Encordes (Hosting), Zumo de Bellota, Oreil APS, Manisa Inclusive Sports Club and K.A.N.E Social Youth Development, in collaboration since the beginning. The first activity, the APV (A2) took place in Pinofranqueado, Spain, from 07 to 10 September 2024, and the second activity, the Youth Exchange (A3) took place in Pinofranqueado from 26 September to 8 October 2024 (including travel dates). A2 was a preparatory visit that allowed all team leaders to familiarize themselves with the spaces we will be using and with the general geography of the area. This visit is even more important as we intend to work with participants with additional needs as well as refugees and displaced people who will have specific needs and language restrictions. We therefore conducted a thorough needs assessment to ensure that participants have the highest quality experience possible prior to their arrival. Prior to the Advanced Planning Visit (A2), each participating organization provided a thorough needs analysis of all participants, including concerns and necessary safeguards that will be implemented to ensure that participants’ needs are met. These meetings also served to determine the role of each team leader and to continue the planning process for specific workshops and activities. As the end result of our exchange will be a performance about the experiences of refugees and displaced people, and will take place in the heart of the city of Pinofranqueado and will be designed to be interactive with the audience, it is crucial from a security perspective to be aware of the technical requirements of each performance space, especially in the context of aerial arts. A3 is a European youth exchange whose goal is to eliminate cultural and social barriers for the construction of an inclusive society. Using non-formal and informal training techniques such as group and peer activities, experiential learning, skills sharing and guest speakers, the project aims to discuss the barriers to inclusion that young people face in their communities and personal lives and to explore initiatives and activities that can be carried out to address these issues. Finally, the project’s objective was to create an interactive show in the city of Pinofranqueado that will highlight this research through the creative medium of the circus. We also looked at situations that can cause immigration movements and the cause of refugees, such as political unrest and war. The partner organizations were chosen specifically because of their current work or experience in these areas. Through these pedagogical techniques, we promote optimal learning outcomes and the personal, social, educational and professional development of the participants. Each workshop aimed to awaken and ultimately empower the participants through groups combining theoretical knowledge and open discussions with circus activities, such as acrobatics, juggling, clowning, aerial practices, street theater, musical creation and dramatization of daily events involving young people. In order to have the greatest possible impact, we also collaborated with a center for isolated minors called "Centrode Acogida de Mejores Isabel de Moctezuma" near the city of Pinofranqueado and the college "IES Gregorio Maranon" in which we gave with the participants of the Youth Mobility project a large workshop on circus techniques for an entire morning in the school building. The workshop was divided into several sections that included a manipulation of the different circus tools but also a development on group work with different ages and social backgrounds as well as with isolated minors. It allowed the participants to learn how to teach new techniques to a younger audience.

Project partners (5)