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Преодоляване на граници 2

2024-2-BG01-KA155-YOU-0002899372024Discover EU inclusion actionfinalized
Countries: BG · Grant: €29,691.5

Objectives

The initiative to implement the project “Overcoming Borders 2” was born as a natural continuation of the long-standing mission of the association “Children with Special Needs” to work tirelessly to improve the living conditions and social integration of children and young people in disadvantaged situations. The main philosophy underlying the creation of this project proposal is based on the understanding that the right to mobility, cultural exchange and personal development should not be a privilege, but an accessible opportunity for every young person, regardless of their ethnic origin, health status or socio-economic status. In this context, our main goal was to use the DiscoverEU Inclusion Action toolkit to provide young people facing barriers to socialization and education with a chance to go beyond the limitations of their familiar environment and discover Europe in a supportive and safe way. The strategic framework of the project was focused on achieving a multi-layered impact on the target group. First of all, we set ourselves the goal of encouraging the active social inclusion and self-affirmation of the participants by placing them in a real, but controlled international environment. By organizing the mobilities “CentralEU discovery” and “Mediterranean dream”, we sought to transform the concept of travel from a purely physical relocation into a process of inner growth and building sustainable self-confidence. The project aimed to show these young people that dialogue, solidarity and tolerance are achievable and natural processes when they take place in an environment of mutual respect and shared European values. A specific emphasis in our objectives was placed on the development of key competences necessary for the successful realization of young people in modern society. Our goal was to use the experiential learning method for the participants to acquire and improve their language, communication and practical skills to cope in an unfamiliar environment. This included not only navigating new cities and cultures, but also developing digital literacy and teamwork skills, which would subsequently be validated through the Youthpass tool, ensuring formal recognition of their achievements. Increasing motivation for learning and readiness for future employment were identified as critical outcomes that would serve as a springboard for their further development. Promoting a sense of belonging to the European family was also an integral part of the project’s objectives. Through direct exposure to the cultural heritage of countries such as Hungary, Austria, Italy, France and Spain, we wanted to broaden the participants’ horizons and foster an understanding of the diversity and richness of European identity. The project aimed to create a sustainable social network that would allow young people to communicate with peers from other countries, thus overcoming prejudices and stimulating intercultural dialogue. The active involvement of young people in the planning and implementation of activities was set as a mechanism to stimulate their initiative and civic responsibility. In addition to the social and educational objectives, the project also integrates a strong environmental component, in line with the priorities of the Erasmus+ program. By choosing rail transport as the main means of transport, we set ourselves the goal of raising environmental awareness and introducing participants to sustainable tourism practices and reducing their carbon footprint. In this way, “Overcoming Borders 2” not only addresses the participants’ individual needs for support and integration, but also engages them with global issues, transforming them into more responsible and informed citizens. The overall concept of the project was based on the idea that through the right support, including mentoring and adapted training plans, any barrier – social, economic or geographical – can be overcome.

Project partners (1)