Description of the project

“Balkan heART” is a Youth exchange Programme under Action 3.1.1 aiming at exploring cultural similarities between Balkan countries, fostering solidarity and unity and helping young people with fewer opportunities express themselves and develop their personalities through art activities and new techniques. During these 10 days, 43 participants from 7 countries of southeast Europe and Balkan countries (Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, F.Y.R.O.M., and Turkey) will be involved in activities, so that they achieve the their targets, using different methods of non-formal education (role plays, workshops, discussion, case studies etc.).

In this way, young people will have the possibility to get to know each other, explore their cultures and express themselves through different forms of art (jewel, wax, photo and graphic arts, radio and creative writing workshops). Basic knowledge on these arts will be provided to the participants and art will be used as a tool for social integration. Young people will be divided into groups depending on their interests and will present their vision of their society, having the heart as their main symbol of love and unity. The participants will have, at the end of the exchange, the possibility to present their art handicrafts to the local society through its active participation.


Objectives:

- To understand similarities and differences among Balkan countries, integrated in the European Union or not;

- To raise awareness about common cultural heritage;

- To strengthen cultural similarities though intercultural dialogue and the opportunity to express these similarities through art activities;

- To make the participants aware of the methods and tools of intercultural dialogue;

- To break stereotypes and prejudice;

- To understand non-formal education, exchange experience and good practice;

- To acquire basic knowledge on the subjects of the workshops and become capable to pass their message on cultural co-existence through art;

- To foster the idea of European citizenship and the values and principles of the European Union;

- To promote the Youth in Action Programme as a useful tool for intercultural activities and

- To strengthen youth networking and create a safe environment for the participants to develop new ideas about future projects