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European Mobility Programme ERASMUS+

Conflict is a Chance

“Conflict is a Chance” is an Erasmus+ project, supported by the German National Agency JUGEND FÜR EUROPA.

This project has been a bilateral cooperation between Elisson gUG (Germany) and Filoxenia Association (Greece).
The partner organisation Filoxenia managed the seminar in Kryoneri Korinthias, Greece, 11-20.11.2022 (Culture centre Polykentro).
Elisson gUG took on the overall project management role and has been responsible to organize the second seminar in Berlin 01-10.03.2023 (Klubhaus Spandau).

The topics
The most relevant topics addressed by our project revolved around conflict resolution and prevention, as well as the development of key competencies essential for effective youth work. Through our training seminars, we focused on equipping youth workers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to address conflicts in a civilized and peaceful manner, promoting successful intercultural interactions in youth exchanges.

The project placed particular emphasis on the prevention of conflicts and post-conflict rehabilitation, recognizing the importance of proactive measures in fostering positive relationships and resolving disputes constructively. Additionally, we prioritized the development of key competencies among youth workers, empowering them with the tools and techniques needed to navigate diverse cultural landscapes and facilitate meaningful interactions among young Europeans.

The trainers
Nikolaos Ftiakas, an experienced psychologist, trainer on human rights issues and youth advisor, took on the responsibility of leading both seminars in Germany and in Greece, due to his extensive experience in conflict resolution. In Greece he has been assisted by Giorgos Kelegkouridis, a social worker and psychotherapist. The trainer has been involved in planning the project as he had prior experience delivering similar types of training for youth and social workers. Additionally, he was familiar with the Erasmus+ programme, proficient in English, and had expertise in non-formal education activities.

The participants
The participants selected for this project primarily consist of youth workers, youth leaders, and social workers actively involved in supporting vulnerable youth populations.
Many of these youth workers from Germany and Greece are actively engaged in working with marginalized or disadvantaged young people, including individuals from minority backgrounds, those residing in geographically isolated areas, and those facing various barriers to social inclusion.

The participants involved in these activities were diverse, including youth workers, trainers, and young people from various backgrounds. The total number of participants engaged in these workshops was 40 (20 for each seminar), with profiles ranging from experienced professionals to those new to conflict resolution techniques.

The project objectives
a. Providing youth workers with the skills to address deep-seated conflicts.
b. Equipping European youth workers and trainers to engage marginalized youth, fostering critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
c. Promoting diversity, intercultural dialogue, and common values of freedom and tolerance.
d. Supporting participants in understanding conflict dynamics.
e. Facilitating the exchange of experiences on conflict mechanisms.
f. Developing participants’ social competence and conflict resolution skills.
g. Enhancing participants’ ability to empathize with others in conflict.
h. Developing participants’ emotional competence and assertiveness in conflict situations.

The results
The project offered methods and tools to youth workers to effectively address conflict situations in international youth exchanges and beyond. The impact of the project was significant, as attendees gained valuable knowledge and practical skills that directly influenced their work with young people. Youth workers often encounter conflict situations in their daily interactions with youngsters, whether it be in school, family, work, or personal relations. Therefore, acquiring effective conflict resolution methods is essential for the successful implementation of youth activities and overall youth work.

Conflict resolution becomes even more critical in international youth meetings, where cultural differences among participants are common. The mediation skills of youth workers play a crucial role in ensuring the success of such exchanges. Conflict resolution is fundamental to both national and international youth work, serving as a vital tool for implementing social, cultural, and political initiatives with young people.

In Greece, the training sessions focused on understanding conflict, adopting a win/win approach, fostering empathy, practicing appropriate assertiveness, harnessing cooperative power, and managing emotions. Each session provided valuable insights and tools that directly addressed the identified objectives, empowering youth workers to handle conflicts effectively in diverse youth work settings.

Similarly, in Germany, the training sessions covered topics such as willingness to resolve conflict, mapping conflict, designing options, negotiation skills, introduction to mediation, and broadening perspectives. These sessions equipped participants with essential conflict resolution techniques and principles, enhancing their capacity to address conflicts constructively.

 

This project was supported by the Erasmus+Youth in Action Programme of the European Union through the German National Agency “Jugend für Europa”

Multicultural Vibes

Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme “Multicultural Vibes” Youth Exchange project “Multiculti“ in the Jugendakademie Walberberg in Bornheim, Germany, 04-11.09.2022

The Youth Exchange with the subtitle „Multiculti” took place during the period 04-11.09.2022 in Bornheim, Walberberg (Germany), with 21 participants from 4 countries Slovakia, Spain, Greece and Germany. The project idea was to connect different cultures and social backgrounds through music. The project gave the participants the opportunity to explore the importance of cultural heritage and building of European identity through music. During this youth exchange it was important for us to exchange opinions and experiences, the discovery of new dimensions of reality, awareness of racism, xenophobia, intolerance. Different methods were included in the programme to achieve the objectives of the exchange. During the activity we used a variety of non-formal learning methods such as workshops, ice-breakers, energizers, team building activities, the Orff-methods, small working groups, brainstorming, discussions, dialogue, research, reflection, outdoor activities (sports), films, concerts, Power-point presentations, etc.
Programme activities were balanced in workshops on specific topics, where participants were divided in international working groups, energizers, team-building activities ect. Through non-formal methods we encouraged multicultural teamwork, developed personal skills and abilities of the participants, developed creativity, innovation and helped young people to learn how to be assertive.

What the young participants said about their experience from the youth exchange “Multiculti”?:
“I love participating in EU-projects. I think they really contribute to my life. I learned a lot about how to live with other people and in this project I learned how to compose music and how to work in a band”.

“Being able to cooperate and make music, it helped me a lot not only to improve myself but also to create something beautiful and also improve my English”.

“Unforgettable experience that I will remember. I’m leaving full of good memories and friends. Of course I improved myself and I’m very grateful for that”.

“I’d love to do something like this again because I never had such a great experience with music and people that I’ve never seen before”.

“It helped me to free myself and to built my confidence about my art and myself. Also great contacts for future projects”.

“I would like to go again to another similar project. It was positive in every sence”.

“For me was an important aspect to connect with people, because it’s always nice to open your mind. It was amazing, I found love. I will repeat it 1000 times”.

Experience of two sisters, participants from Slovakia

“Youth musical exchange in Germany was an interesting project to participate in. I have decided to take my younger sister with me, because she never understood the importance of knowing more than her mother tongue. She loves music and this was the main reason, why she has decided to step out of her comfort zone and take her first flight ever for this great adventure. My sister and I often sing together and I also love to write lyrics and she plays the guitar and composes music. I think this exchange was made especially for us!
When we met Pali and Miško (two other participants from Slovakia) at 4 a.m. at the parking lot, where the taxi was waiting for us, I knew right away, that we are going to be great friends during and even after the project. The journey to the beautiful area of Bornheim – Jugendakademie Walberberg was fun, full of jokes and good mood thanks to them. Also the whole travelling was really cool, without any problems thanks to Hana, who was the project coordinator. She helped us to find the cheapest flight tickets and communicated everything with us.

What have we experienced after?
-Great drum workshop with the African musician Abdou, who also taught us how to dance Salsa!
-Cultural nights with traditional music, dance, food and snacks. I discovered very interesting omelette recipe with potatoes, that guys from Spain cooked for us. It was delicious!
-We visited two cities and we asked many locals about their connection to music.
-Work is an international music band, where we learned from each other new music skills. The band of my sister consisted of 2 Slovaks, 1 Greek and 1 Spanish. She had to communicate in English and at the end of the project, she was way better at speaking, that she was before. Also they managed to compose 2 new songs.
My band consisted of Miško, talented guys from Spain and a Greek singer. We composed 2 songs and it was also fun. We tried multiple genres in one song and that for me was the most educational part. I worked as a lyrics writer and helped with singe’s parts. In one song I expressed the essential human need of having a friend. The song began like any pop song, but then there was this part as a bridge, where only accordion played and only men sung. It was sudently like an ancient song… very, very old. And that was the moment, my lyrics were fully understandable and somehow fulfilled with a meaning. And I am so so grateful, I could experience this.
The whole stay at the Jungendakademie Walberberg was a gift. Vegetarian cuisine, beautiful green area, fresh air, warm-hearted people and a lot of laughter has been a cure for someone like me, a tired student. I gained back my power, energy, and the most important: motivation to create and write.
My sister and I came back home full of new ideas and the best memories. We enjoyed every part of the project and we are ready for a next round!

Alexandra & Dorota

During the project new original music and many beautiful and lyrics were created by the multicultural groups of young people. Here are some of them:

SONG n. 1
Coffee or tea
Salty or sweet
Long hair or short
Should I be nice or strong

Extrovert, introvert
Wear jeans or skirt
No onion, yes onion la la la
Alone or with companion

Ref:
My favourite part of going anywhere
Is coming back home to someone from nowhere
I know it’s crazy never know what to choose
But the only thing I’m sure about it’s you

Shave or not to shave
Be coward or brave
Violence or peace
Is this song trash? Masterpiece?

Movie or book
Eat out or cook
Straight or gay
Is this ew or yay

Ref.

I don’t really mind
Many options or humankind
For me anything will do
Until I can be with you

SONG n. 2
Take good shoes on
Time to live your dusty name
Eyes fully closed
Run the world, be exposed

Night seems quite long
Short days , how to be strong
Town, lonely crowds
Heavy head, full of clouds

Ref.
Blind trust that people are kind
Feeling lost la la la
Looking for a bright sun
Will you be a friend of mine

Boy could you save
My house of cards
Girl please just stay
Wind blows too hard

Ref.

SONG n. 3
„We have no inspiration“
We have no inspiration,
We only think bout’ beer
Also got time limitation
and want to shift the gear

Just one beer,
Okay maybe two
no reason to fear,
Bring your sister too.

I like lying under the sun
with a cold beer
This song is the only thing
I want to hear,

I like beer and she likes me
This may sounds weird
But we just wanna drink a beer 2x

Chorus x2
(With this magic drink
I feel alive, Thanks to beer I have survived.)

SONG n. 4
„Untitled“
I’ve never seen such a thing,
And it makes me think
Why it’s not the same
No idea who to blame.

I was raised to be nice,
I was always that guy,
Maybe all of us should
They would understood
I’m sure they would..

The world is a great place,
We need to share grace
So why are there differences
About bake rolls packages

Last time I was eating them,
I finally felt like a man
Strong and full of power,
Ready to eat them every hour.

There’s not anything better,
I’m sure bout that
If there is, whatever
I didn’t taste it yet.

This project was supported by the Erasmus+Youth in Action Programme of the European Union through the German National Agency “Jugend für Europa”

Multicultural Vibes

Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme “Multicultural Vibes” Training Seminar in Kryoneri Korinthias, Greece, 19-26.7.2021

Elisson gUG organised a multiple project “Multicultural vibes“ which included a training seminar and a youth exchange.

The training seminar took place in Kryoneri Korinthias, Greece during the period 19-26.7.2021and during those days youth workers gathered in a gender balanced way from the countries Germany, Greece, Finland, Spain, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary and have worked together with the common theme. There were 26 participants, 2 trainers and 2 staff members, 30 persons in total.

The project‘s idea was to connect different cultures and social backgrounds through music.

The project gave participants the opportunity to explore the importance of cultural heritage for shaping the European identity through music. We used music as a method of non-formal education, when working with young people. The purpose of this seminar was to create new synergies between youth work, music and culture.

The training seminar’s objective was to provide youth workers and leaders of youth organizations with tools, in order to work with young people with an approach to music and culture. We strengthened the international dimension of youth activities and improved the capacity of youth workers and youth organisations supporting young people.

The training brought together youth workers (professionals and volunteers) having different artistic skills, as well as they were interested to develop their skills in working with young people in different types of art projects. During the project we used different methodologies, participants took part in diverse workshops, organised an intercultural event, organized every evening music sessions in the village for the local community, organized a happening in the city of Nafplio for the locals and performed their final music presentation during the final concert in Kryoneri. This project had a big impact to the local community.

What did participants wrote us about their experience:

“It was a very motivational experience, I met a lot of nice people and great musicians, I had a chance to learn new things and got ideas for improving my skills.“

“Thank you, it was a wonderful week”.

“I felt we came from European countries without important differences. Do it again please”.

“It enriched my knowledges that I already had and of course it taught me the importance of opening our minds to other cultures and people in our continent”.

“It changed my personality and had a deep impact in my life”.

“I really liked that we were in non-touristic area and that the people were very generous and welcoming”.

“I became more open and learned, how to communicate more with people from different countries”.

“Meeting people and sharing music is a very precious thing that can’t be forgotten. It’s a great experience that leaves a footprint on your life and is definitely projected in improvised music”.

“Thank you so much that you are able to organise such a wonderful workshop”.

“It was an amazing experience and I definitely want to come again!”.

“It makes me more open minded, more mature and patient”.

“Thank you a lot for organising this event. I really enjoyed it and will remember it for the rest of my life”.

And the statement of the participant Peter Konecny:

“I took part in such a kind of project for the second time, as participant from Slovakia and I have to say that it was wonderful. Not only because this brought me a lot of knowledge and experience, but also because I met once again amazing young people.

The village of Kryoneri is a beautiful place and I can’t imagine a better place for such a seminar. The hosting organisation was perfect again. It gave me a lot, artistically and humanly.

I can say through this experience with other participants, that young people can contribute with values that will make Europe and the world a better, healthier, safer and especially a more tolerant place”.

This project was supported by the Erasmus+Youth in Action Programme of the European Union through the German National Agency “Jugend für Europa”

European Mobility Programme ERASMUS+

Erasmus+ Project CULTURE FOR ALL! – Living cultural diversity, successfully implemented

The aim of the Erasmus+ European project “CULTURE FOR ALL! Living Cultural Diversity” was to give access to cultural youth education measures to all interested young people. With this project the social context should changed in such a way, that everyone can participate, regardless of restrictions, individual peculiarities, social background, gender, religion or different skin color. In our sense of a broad inclusive understanding of diverse society, it is normal to be different.

As people with less opportunities and disabilities still have too little access to international projects with heterogeneous youth groups outside of school, our goal was to open-up concrete opportunities.

There are many reasons for this: project managers and youth workers have doubts or fears about responsibilities in an area that is unknown to them. Or the young people are confronted with barriers that prevent them from participating in a project, as they don’t feel addressed, so that the offer is not relevant for them. The aim of our project and its challenge was to design inclusive and attractive offers for everyone, based on the adaptation of methods, structures, technical standards and accessibility.

The development of inclusive culture makes an important contribution to the innovative change in our European society, which enriches us all and expands the diversity in our cultural landscape. Culture for All! means unhindered access to cultural youth education and openness for all interested people – also for people with disabilities, special needs or fewer opportunities.

This Inclusive, well-established European youth project offered the chance to convey common worlds of experience.

The focus of our inclusive project was on culture (music, art). During our project young people dealed with diversity, respect and solidarity. The project specifically promoted social commitment and assumption of social responsibility, supporting European cultural diversity by reflecting the opinions of the participants themselves.

The first leg of the project was the Advance Planing Meeting, which took place 29-30.5.201 online, due to the Covid19 pandemic. We discussed about the preparation of youth exchange programme with the leaders of the participating organisations, the topics and the specific target group, as well as their needs and wishes.

The youth exchange project took place in Kryoneri Korinthia, Greece, during the period 6-12.6.2021 with young participants from Germany, Greece and Czech Republic. Young people from a wide range of social backgrounds (including marginalized and handicapped youngsters) worked together in the project, dealing with the medium of music, by constructing their own Kalimbas (an indigenous music instrument from Africa, nicknamed a “thumb piano”). It is a compact, portable instrument and the playing is so easy, that everyone can learn how to play. The participants acquired technical skills by constructing their own Kalimba under supervision of the specialized trainer and played it in ensemble with all young participants during the final event in Kryoneri’s amphitheatre, on July 10, 2021.

The objectives of the programme were to dissolve barriers among the participants, created opportunities for experience and learning about topics of inclusion and cultural diversity.

Participants developed communication skills, creativity and innovation, experienced cultural diversity, and learnt new skills as a team, to express their personality.

A training seminar in Berlin followed the youth exchange during the period 21-24.10.2021.

It was aimed at practitioners, youth workers, project managers and educators in the field of international youth work. Visiting also youth structures such as the Municipal Youth Centre “Wildwuchs” in Spandau and discussing with the youth workers working with marginalized youngsters and young refugees has been a highlight of the seminar.

Conceptual and methodological requirements for inclusive international youth projects were presented. The focus was on planning attractive cultural offers taking into account the requirements for special forms of handicapped people and accessibility issues as well. Youth work professionals from Germany, Greece and Czech Republic have been provided with skills and methods aimed at gaining a better understanding of their inclusive work and capacity building possibilities.

The project has been realised in cooperation between the coordinator Elisson gUG (Berlin) and Filoxenia Association (Kryoneri-Korinthia, Greece) and For Family.cz (Bystrice nad Pernstejnem, Czech Republic) as partners.

It has been supported by the European Erasmus+ Programme through the German National Agency Jugend für Europa.

General

MUSIC- Cultural Heritage; YOUTH 4 music traditions (21.9.-28.9.2019), Jugendakademie Walberberg PART 1

Our experience from the Erasmus+ program in Bornheim, Germany.

Our group travelled from Greece.

Five young musicians departed in order to meet other groups and share an amazing musical journey. Friendships where built very quickly between people that where strangers beforehand. Musical and cultural knowledge was shared.

Each group organised a cultural night about their countries and everyone learned a lot about each nation’s customs, while also trying out traditional foods and beverages. The coexistence of all those different people, us included, made us realise we have absolutely nothing to separate with the other nations. Learning about the rest of the world is important and beautiful, even more so when you experience each country and/or tradition first hand.

The only downside is the distance that is now between us and the rest of the participants, as we feel like we now have an everlasting bond that we will always treasure.

Our -especially musical- journey is far from over, but it is certainly enhanced after this outstanding week.

Greek participants: Ariadni Bimpisidi. Aris Mastrokalos, Aikaterini Karvountzi, Vasiliki Gerali

European Mobility Programme ERASMUS+

MUSIC- Cultural Heritage, 22-29 July 2019, Kryoneri

written by participant from Hungary.

My experience with the international seminar on music, hosted by Filoxenia organisation, supported by Erasmus+ program, in the beautiful, rustic village of Kryoneri in Greece, was beyond all my expectations. It was a week rich in making new international connections, both on professional and private level, and developing my own skills in singing and music theory, as well. The lectures were helpful and inspiring, the afternoon ensembles were real fun and triggered my ability to implement all that I had learnt about music in my life so far, as well as apply the new insights on music, that I had learned during the workshops. The board and accommodation was excellent, too. The kindness and care that the participants were honored to receive by the members of the hosting organization was outstanding. The program was thoroughly prepared and organized, including the community-building day off at the historical sights and beautiful nature of the region. I am grateful to have been part of this initiative and fully support the continuity of the programs like these in future.

Henrietta Szalay, Hungary, 37 y.o.

General

European Voluntary Service

European Voluntary Service (EVS)

What is it?

The Erasmus+ programme offers young people the chance to make a difference through the European Voluntary Service.

The European Voluntary Service (EVS) gives young people the opportunity to express their personal commitment through full-time voluntary work in a foreign country within or outside the EU.

The EVS aims to develop solidarity, mutual understanding and tolerance among young people, while contributing to strengthening social cohesion and promoting active citizenship. Their learning experience is formally recognized through a Youthpass . Volunteers receive free board and lodging, insurance cover and a grant for the duration of the project (in some cases they may be asked for a contribution for travel costs).

EVS volunteers working for more than two months abroad can get additional support to learn, and test their progress in, the language used during their volunteering.

What does it support?

A successful EVS project requires close co-operation among at least three key players:

  • The sending organisation;
  • The receiving organisation;
  • The volunteer.

One of the organisations involved plays the role of coordinator and applies for an EU grant on behalf of the partnership.  Organisations perform a number of roles:

  • They identify volunteering opportunities;
  • Develop projects that benefit the local community;
  • Recruit and prepare the volunteers, host them, and ensure follow-up.

The EVS core values and quality standards are laid down in the EVS Charterpdf(294 kB) Choose translations of the previous link . To uphold these standards, organisations interested in sending or hosting EVS volunteers, or coordinating an EVS project, need first to be accredited. To do this organisations must first submit an application for accreditation (not the same as a funding application). If their application is approved, they can take part in applications for EVS projects. An accreditation can be withdrawn immediately in cases of non-compliance with the Charter. Organisations accredited to take part in EVS can be found in the EVS database .

Who can take part?
  • Are you aged 17-30 and willing to spend from 2 weeks to 12 months abroad as an EVS Volunteer? Start by having a look at the European Youth Portal  for information, volunteering opportunities, and the database of EVS organisations.
  • Are you an organisation willing to develop an EVS project? The Erasmus+ Programme Guide   provides detailed information about the conditions for participating. In most cases, the application for funding and accreditation is submitted via the Erasmus+ National Agencies in each country participating in the programme. The Agencies are the primary information sources for the users of the programme: organisations are invited to contact them for information and advice.
Links
EU-Commission Erasmus+ Volunteering Activities
General

Seminar House

The semniar house ELISSON is situated in Kryoneri, a mountainous village (740m altitude) surrounded by vineyards, 150 km from Athens Airport. From Kryoneri it takes only 15 km to the next beach of the famous Gulf of Corinth. Kryoneri is the ideal place to go hiking in the beautiful mountains or to go for a swim in the Gulf of Corinth. Also it is a perfect starting point for further travels to Corinth, Athens, Olympia, Delphi or the world-famous antique theatre of Epidaurus.

The house offers two double-bed bedrooms (one of which is wheelchair-accessible),and three 4-bed-lofts in the upper floor. All rooms are en-suite and have their own balcony. Furthermore the house has a big living-room with a fireplace, a kitchen for self-catering as well as a spacious seminar room with full equipment.

Seminar Room: 69,30 m2 (L 8,99+0,25 x W 7,50 x H 2,80)

 The seminar room is situated in the basement and it is combined with the seminar / meeting room. It contains 2 open spaces: the left space is the games room, containing 2 PC’s with free internet access, TV with terrestrial & satellite programmes & table games. The right space is the seminar room, with conference equipment (tables & chairs, white board, copier, small library, laptop & video projector).

Link
Seminar House ELISSON
General

Youth Exchanges

Experience diversity

Exchanges facilitate an encounter of people from different countries and backgrounds, providing them the unique opportunity to get to know each other, discuss and confront various themes, building an atmosphere of understanding and respect for other cultures and national differences, through non-formal education methods.

In an inclusive society, all people can live and work on an equal footing. In our opinion differences represent a chance and not an obstacle. Our projects are open to people with different social backgrounds and educational experiences.

In the sense of an inclusive understanding, it is normal to be different. The challenge of our projects is to enable everyone to participate, regardless of their individual characteristics. The objectives are to overcome barriers between young people, to promote equal opportunities for each other and above all to create and share experiences and learning opportunities.