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Armãname shi tinirame

2024-3-RO01-KA152-YOU-0002823072024Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: RO|MK · Grant: €39,128
Bridging intercultural, intergenerational and social divideRoma and/or other minoritiesQuality and innovation of youth work

Objectives

The “Armãname shi tinirame” (Aromanian and the Youth) project was implemented as a response to a clear need in Aromanian communities in Romania and the Republic of North Macedonia: young people increasingly have fewer attractive, safe contexts to practise their language, learn traditions and build a healthy cultural identity in a modern, relevant and inclusive way. In many families and communities, intangible heritage (language, stories, customs, music, dance) is gradually fading, due to a lack of accessible educational resources, migration and urbanisation, and the fact that available information is often fragmented or even distorted. At the same time, many Aromanian young people face social and cultural isolation, while those with fewer opportunities have reduced access to international experiences and quality non-formal education. By implementing the project, we aimed to generate two types of change: (1) change at the level of young people, in terms of competences, motivation and confidence to become active promoters of Aromanian culture, and (2) change at community level, through greater visibility, cohesion and continuity of cultural heritage via youth-led and replicable initiatives. We wanted to create a strong learning experience based on non-formal methods, where culture is not “taught” in a rigid way, but lived, reinterpreted and passed on through interactive activities and intercultural dialogue. The project objectives were formulated in a SMART way and focused concretely on: (1) promoting and preserving Aromanian culture in small communities in Romania and the Republic of North Macedonia by actively involving 20 young people (aged 13–30) over a 10-month period, so that they strengthen their sense of belonging and become more engaged in community life; (2) developing organisational and facilitation competences for non-formal activities for 20 young people, enabling them to plan and deliver cultural activities relevant for their generation; (3) developing and publishing a guide of non-formal activities for promoting and preserving Aromanian culture, in English, Romanian, Macedonian and Aromanian, as a replicable resource for other organisations and youth groups. To achieve these objectives, we implemented two youth exchanges (Romania and the Republic of North Macedonia), with an international group and a strong focus on inclusion, using methods such as Living Library, World Café, PhotoVoice, storytelling circles, planning workshops and reflection sessions. In Romania, the exchange was organised in Constanța, within an urban multicultural context that supported the intercultural dialogue objectives more effectively, considering that Kruševo had a more rural and traditional character. This created a valuable balance between a diverse urban setting and an authentic local cultural setting, offering participants both comparison and depth. In conclusion, the project aimed to transform Aromanian young people from simple “beneficiaries” into cultural youth leaders, able to promote their identity through modern tools, non-formal education and local initiatives. The objectives were oriented towards concrete and sustainable results, and the final guide was designed as a practical “toolbox” that allows the impact to continue beyond the project funding period, both in the participating communities and in other Aromanian communities across Europe.

Project partners (2)