Deadline: 31 March 2014
Open to: young people aged 16-19 from Albania, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Serbia and Turkey
Venue: 13-18 July 2014, Pristina, Kosovo
Description
The four-day training course “Young European Leaders for Change” (YELC) will take place in Prishtina, Kosovo, starting from the 13th of July, 2014 to the 18th of July, 2014 (the former and latter dates being travel days). It is organized in the frameworks of the Youth in Action Programme of the European Union and it will bring together 26 young people aged 16-19 from ten European countries (Albania, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Serbia and Turkey).
YELC aims to broaden conflict solving and cultural horizons through mediating interethnic dialogue and deep-going classes on the increasingly vital topic “young leaders campaigning for change.” The course is weaved together by a mixture of formal and informal learning methods such as workshops, lectures, debates and reflection activities. Participants will also be assisted in drafting individual projects to be implemented in their home countries, so as to engage them in a more sophisticated manner locally as well as in the broader European sphere, thereby becoming multipliers of the values and insights taught during the training course.
The two pillars of our training course are: enhancing youth leadership and activism skills and exploring what it means to be a citizen of a multicultural Europe. This includes the following objectives:
- Studying the anatomy of a young leader as well as their critical role in shaping our tomorrow;
- Raising the passion and capability for civic engagement by teaching on vital areas for a young social entrepreneur, such as project management and creative ways to push for change;
- Examining the concept of citizenship (focusing on the philosophy of responsibility and engagement) on a local, national, European and global level;
- Exploring our diverse Europe by sharing cultural experiences and discussing the roots and realities of ethnic tensions as means to foster better intercultural relations and dialogue;
- Identifying specific needs in the participants’ home communities and finding ways to meet them.
Eligibility
YELC is a training course for participants aged 16-19 from the following countries: Albania, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Serbia and Turkey. All participants are expected to have reached a sufficient level of fluency in English.
YELC is an initiative for young people who:
- have proven to be engaged in matters of local or global importance ; whether they show great passion about a social, political, economic or religious issue or have been personally involved in initiatives for positive change at any level;
- are passionate about positive change, improved conditions and progressiveness;
- are interested in improving theirs and others’ understanding of different cultures;
- are tolerant and understanding of peoples different to their own;
- either are leaders or have potential for leadership;
- have demonstrated leadership potential and a motivation for change through the nature of the individual projects they wish create and implement upon return from YELC. To apply, participants must describe an issue they are passionate about working to improve and participants will be assisted in drafting a project before, during and after the course of YELC;
- desire to explore the topics and notions covered in YELC.
Costs
All of the participants will have their accommodation, meals and educational materials expenses covered. Moreover, 70% of the travel costs will be reimbursed upon the conclusion of YELC.
Application
Applications end 31 March 2014. Fill out the application form. In case of further questions, check the FAQ section or contact the team.
