Network Commission | netcom@aegee.org
1| WHAT TWIN ANTENNA PROJECT IS The Twin Antenna project is a concept which is very similar to the twin towns, or sister cities which is present amongst many of the world’s cities. The main idea around the Twin Antenna project is to encourage AEGEE locals to form a mutual partnership for collaboration to work together, on one or various projects.. Primarily, the main aims of the Twin Project are the following: •
Connect different parts of the Network by establishing direct contacts between locals from all over Europe;
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Create new possibilities for constant supra-regional cooperation;
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Enhance the communication and exchange of best practices and knowledge transfer
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both within the participating Antennae and within the Network itself;
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Provide a framework for locals to help each other with their daily work;
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Establish partnerships/friendships that are profound, fruitful and sustainable.
2| HOW TO GET TWIN ANTENNA Every Antenna can be your Twin. It doesn’t matter how near or far the intended twin antenna is, the most important thing is that there should be a concept of partnership.
2A. PROCESS 1. Find a local that wants to be your twin 2. Communicate your plans and proceedings to yours Netcommies 3. You will receive the “Twin Antenna Contract” 4. Complete the “Twin Antenna contract” with the data of both antennae 5. Send it to Netcom and Juridical Commission The document must be delivered in editable ".doc" or ".docx" format 6. Sign it during next Agora 7. Enjoy! :) Please, keep in mind that there is a deadline to sign and send contracts that is 45 days before the next Agora.
From the signing of the agreement, Twin Antennae have to make the most of their partnership and try to exploit every resource and every idea in order to make their twinning agreement a fruitful one. It’s up to the antennae’s creativity to make sure that their partnership is enjoyed by both ends. This is done by keeping in contact as much as possible. Committed Twins will of course visit each other as often as possible and create a special bond of friendship between their members. Twin antennae can assist each other in their daily challenges and exchange ideas for new projects and maybe even organise an event together. A twin antenna should be your antenna’s best friend; therefore if you be facing a problem within your antenna, you could seek help from your twin antenna and discuss possible ways to solve the problem. Twin antennae should also share and promote their own cultures and grow a particular interest in each other’s culture.
2B. HOW TO FILL THE CONTRACT Contract (November 2018) Example Contract completed (November 2018) A twinning agreement will consist of a set of basic guidelines by which both antennae are asked to comply. These guidelines help the antennae in accomplishing their twinning agreement and make sure that such an agreement reaps the desired fruits by the time the agreement comes to an end. *Appendix: contract form can change, check with your Netcom for the last version
3 | WHAT CAN BE DONE TOGETHER WITH YOUR TWIN Having a twin within a Network can greatly strengthen your own local. As the saying goes 2 heads are better than one, we would say that 2 locals joined as one by twinning are even better. Having a twin offers a whole new world of possibilities for both the locals that are participating. Whether you are looking for a partner to hosting an event, need another set of hands to promote yourself, or would just like to broaden your friends number, your twin will always be there at your side. So thinking about what could be done with your twin, here are a few examples:
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Raising the visibility of both your locals and showing the competence that you have. There is no way to skip this one, as for sure people at the Agora will notice you when you’re sinning the twinning agreement. Be daring and put on a show people will remember. Create an amazing video showing the love that you share between each other, while also including the amazing ideas and projects you did or have in plan. Be even bolder and put on a live show on the stage, one that will get stuck in people’s minds and always remind them of you. Genovagoza sounds familiar?
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Creating joined merchandise and offering it to the Network. Have you ever thought about putting up a stand at the Agora fair or simple offering your products to other members but were afraid you won’t attract enough customers. Well don’t worry anymore, because your twin is there to support you and join forces in order to do some fundraising for yourselves and show the Network you’re out there. Use this opportunity to also promote your joined events and invite people to come.
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Organizing exchanges and creating bonds between your members. The very essence of AEGEE is sharing experiences, traditions, cultures, creating bridges and abolishing borders. Follow this example with your twin, organize tripes to one another and share everything with each other, see what your twin has to offer, visit their city, explore their region, offer them the same. Create bonds and friendships among your members and set a path for future projects.
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Organize European events together. Organizing a large European event can sometimes be hard for just one locals pair of hands. So, why not join forces with your twin and make your job easier, while having fun in organizing something together, and offer your participants an even better experience with more hard working people setting their minds on creating the best event possible. Be imaginative and do the unexpected, why not organize an SU with your twin that’s located all the way on the other side of Europe. Barceloniki rings a bell? Create events you would otherwise deem impossible, all with the help of your dear twin.
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Share best practices. Be like true siblings and help each other in any way you can. Guide one another, see what your twin is doing good and implement that in your own local. Check where they might be weak and help them with advice. Create a bond in which your boardies or your regular members can ask for guidance in any and all fields of work from their counterparts in your twin local. Grow together by improving your virtues and getting rid of your flaws.
4 | TIPS Do you need one more reason to start searching for your couple? Here are some cool opportunities to get the best out of your twinning!
4A. ERASMUS PLUS Sometimes reaching a local can be difficult and it could make you even change your mind about having a twin antenna ...but you can use an amazing tool: the Erasmus Plus Programme, through which you can obtain financial support for the activities you are going to have together. But first of all you need the PIC number, a code that identifies your local at the European Commission. You just have to register a contact person on ECAS, then you can register your local there Before you apply, check the next funding deadlines: they usually are on the 15th of February, the 26th of April and the 4th of October at 11am (CET-1). Here you can find the booklet with all of the details about the Erasmus Plus Programme, for the exchange with your twin antenna we suggest you to focus on the KA1 and go for the “youth exchange” (it should last at least five days).
4B. MUNICIPALITIES WHICH ARE PARTNER Did you know that some Municipalities already have a “twin”? If you would like to have a couple maybe you can also check which City is partner with yours!
In this way, you can potentially ask for support to your City, which will be glad to organize some event for your Twin :)
5 | CONCLUSIONS A Twinning agreement enriches the AEGEE life of two antennae at one go, bringing a new challenge to their members, creating new possibilities and perspectives and most of all create a strong bond of friendship that will not cease to exist when the project is complete.
It’s an adventure you definitely cannot miss :)
Network Commission | netcom@aegee.org