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kültür sofrasından kültür köprüsüne

2025-3-TR01-KA152-YOU-0003771132025Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: TR|MK|LT|XK · Grant: €17,864
Preventing racism and discriminationCultural heritageBridging intercultural, intergenerational and social divide

Objectives

The main aim of our project is to strengthen young people’s awareness of tolerance, inclusiveness, and intercultural dialogue by fostering meaningful interaction across different cultures. Centered around gastronomy as an innovative learning tool, our project is built on the idea that food culture is more than cooking; it embodies identity, belonging, tradition, and the transmission of social values. Through culinary experiences, young people will not only discover similarities and differences but also challenge prejudices, thereby developing concrete awareness against racism and xenophobia. From the perspective of youth work, the objectives of our project are multi-dimensional. Firstly, we aim to enhance participants’ social skills through active learning experiences. Workshops, group work, cultural visits, and the international food fair will encourage both individual and collective responsibility-taking, leadership, and communication skills. Secondly, by involving disadvantaged young people (facing geographical, economic, and cultural barriers) in every stage of the project, we adopt a fully inclusive approach. Reinforced preparation, mentoring, and support mechanisms will ensure equal opportunities and strengthen the youth work principle of “leaving no one behind.” Our project also aims to improve participants’ key competences. With English as the common language, participants will strengthen their foreign language skills through practice in cultural evenings and kitchen workshops. Digital skills will be supported through the use of online tools (Mentimeter, Padlet, Google Docs, social media, video documentaries). The Youthpass process will help participants reflect on the eight key competences (such as foreign language, digital skills, cultural expression, learning to learn), making their learning outcomes tangible and recognized. Another objective is to foster active citizenship. Visits to local institutions, meetings with municipal leaders and university representatives will provide participants with first-hand experiences of democratic participation. Furthermore, the international food fair and seminar in Skopje will allow participants to engage directly with the local community and decision-makers, reinforcing social responsibility and their roles as active multipliers in their communities. This aligns with Erasmus+ youth work values, turning young people into proactive actors of change. In terms of dissemination and sustainability, our project’s impact will go far beyond the mobility period. The digital recipe book, project documentary, and participant interviews will increase visibility and ensure long-term accessibility. These resources will not only be shared within partner organizations but also with schools, youth centers, and NGOs at local, national, and international levels. Moreover, statistical findings from pre- and post-tests will be turned into an academic paper titled “Evaluating Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges as a Culinary Dialogue Against Racism: The Case of Young People Meet at the Culture Table” and presented at an international conference. This will provide an academic contribution to the youth work field. In the medium and long term, the project experience will pave the way for new partnerships and the design of a larger-scale KA2 cooperation project. In conclusion, from the perspective of youth work, our project is designed as a unique initiative that supports young people’s personal, social, and cultural development, fosters positive attitudes towards diversity, and contributes to building an inclusive European youth. By using gastronomy as a bridge, young people will question prejudices, embrace cultural heritage, connect with democratic values, and act as multipliers in their local communities. Thus, the project goes beyond a youth exchange, aiming to create a long-term ecosystem of learning, collaboration, and sustainability.

Project partners (4)