“We are sailing the same sea” – chosen as the motto of the program by the participants, embodies the engagement towards Project’s Kins(wo)men, hosted by the NGO, SMIT “CREATOR” based in Krakow, Poland. The event aimed to involve participants from a wide range of cultures and regions (Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Greece) in order to build new networks, connect not just professionals but also their organizations and inspire youngsters in their common purposes. The possibility to share the best practices developing real engagement brought together twenty-four youth workers for a contact-making event in Murzasichle.
The non-formal education methods introduced during the project, provided possibility to create new projects within the Erasmus+ program. The participants took the chance to build new relations between different NGOs, to share the best practices within their local communities for a purpose of further development. Through intercultural programs the youth workers were exposed to new tools, methods as well as had the chance to work in multicultural environment, requiring and developing skills such as tolerance, empathy, communication and mutual understanding. Enjoying the given project is always a crucial part of the meetings, thus getting to know the local environment and culture of Polish highlands.
“The project was useful for the development of my project management skills, as well as for networking.” – mentioned by one of the Italian participants, Anita. Another Egyptian member of the team summarized, that he gained inspiration for the future projects, which was also one of the goals of the gathering. “During the project we had the opportunity to look for solutions for common problems each one of us is facing in our own communities.” – highlighted Rafaela from Greece.
Learning mobility projects of youth workers always support and focus on professional development, with different tools and methods. The transnational activities, as for example the described contact-making event, strengthens the quality and the role of youth work in Europe and raising motivation for further projects all around the world. It is important to see how such projects provide possibility to make changes in local communities in the fields of education, training, youth and sport.
The Project’s Kins(wo)men between 22nd-28th of September 2017 gave a unique opportunity to youth workers to gain knowledge, then return to their home countries to share the experience, skills and extend the success of the international Erasmus+ program on local levels.
[KINS(WO)MEN Participants]
