OPEN UP

Project OPEN UP was held in Poronin, Poland from 04 -11 January 2020.

Project focuses on a very important topic which is identity and diversity. It aims to raise aware and deepen understanding about meaning of
identity in human’s life, but also in social life in the local community as well as in the diverse Europe. It promotes cultural awareness, diversity, cohesion, integration, social inclusion, participation and intercultural dialog. It gives a chance to discover the meaning and value of society and European citizenship. The participants will also develop a number of key competences that will enhance their personal and professional development. They will develop social competences, sensitivity, empathy, a sense of unity and belonging. understanding, as well as cultural awareness and expression.

Project objectives:

Discovering "yourself" by understanding the concept and phenomenon of identity, looking deep inside ourselves, recognizing own potential.
Focusing on personal development and raising self-esteem.
Promoting cultural awareness, diversity, cohesion, integration, social inclusion and active participation in all spheres of social life.
Developing a sense of mutual understanding by promoting intercultural dialogue and acceptance of different cultures.
Discovering the importance and value of being European.

Partner organisations:

Malta - PRISMS

Poland – FRATERNITAS

Portugal - ASSOCIAÇÃO DE DEFESA DO PATRIMÓNIO CULTURAL NATURAL DE SOURE

Romania – BE YOU

Spain - EDUCADAJE

Turkey - Cultural Bridges Foundation

Our project Open Up focuses on a very important topic which is identity and diversity. It aims to raise aware and deepen understanding about meaning of identity in human’s life, but also in social life in the local community as well as in the diverse Europe. Interactive activities based on non-formal education focus on self-awareness, recognizing self-potential, personal development, raising self-esteem. It promotes cultural awareness, diversity, cohesion, integration, social inclusion, participation and intercultural dialog. It gives a chance to discover the meaning and value of society and European citizenship. The participants will also develop a number of key competences that will enhance their personal and
professional development. They will develop social competences, sensitivity, empathy, a sense of unity and belonging. The international dimension of the project will encourage participants to actively listen and learn, get the best out of other cultures and environments, provide space for mutual understanding, as well as develop cultural awareness and expression.

We will work in mixed working groups, carry out simulations, role play, debates, implement creative activities, learn through active discovery, make self-evaluation, share experiences and insights, search for solutions, play city games, talk and integrate with the local community, conduct street interviews, spend free time together, share own culture as a part of cultural evenings activity. The group of participants consists of 36 people from Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey and Malta, 18 to 25 years old (6 people including 1 group leader from each country - without upper age limit). The project will involve young people with fewer opportunities as we want to foster the idea of equal opportunities and active participation and fight social exclusion. On the other hand, they will be supported by people with experience, who are socially active, both in the context of local, national and European life, willing to share good examples and become initiators of social change and integration.

Self-discovery, understanding and promoting diversity, intercultural discussion, cultivating attitudes of tolerance, respect, empathy and solidarity, sharing good practices, interaction in the social and cultural field will affect not only participants, but also their local communities and international relations. The impact of the project will have wide range, because each person will return to the country and organizations and share the learning outcomes and experiences in their local community.

We used below outlined methods: