SPEAK UP+
21- 30 JUNE 2021 BANSKO, BULGARIA
INTRODUCTION
The project intends to raise awareness about the increasing number of people who are at risk of being radicalized. We do this by focusing on the various factors that could lead to this dangerous behaviour. The exchange focuses on the various issues related to the security of Europe and the safety of young people. It highlights the importance of social inclusion for young people from deprived backgrounds. We also draw attention to the role of hate speech and social media in providing
a
sense
of
belonging
and
meaning
to
youth,
who
are
often
excluded due to various reasons. The project aims to have a deeper understanding of the concept of radicalization and how it started, what its effects are, and how media influences it. Also, to raise awareness on hate speech issue, being used as a tool to provoke extremists movements
ABOUT ERASMUS+ Erasmus+ implies 5 main points: 1. Education program 2. Training program 3. Youth program 4. Sport program 5. Age under 13
It was launched by the European Union in 2014, and it covers: tuition fee, living costs, traveling costs and health insurance.
The budget is estimated at 26.2 billion euro. The program for the 2021/2027 period places a strong emphasis on social inclusion, green and digital transition and promoting the participation of young people in democratic life.
→ → →
Classification: KA1
learning mobility of individuals (i.e. training course +more)
KA2
cooperation among organizations and institution (i.e. Erasmus mundus action)
KA3
support to policy development and cooperation (i.e. European youth together) Non EU countries that can participate: Norway, Turkey, Liechtenstein, Iceland, North
Macedonia, Serbia.
2.ERASMUS MUNDUS
1.ERASMUS INTERNSHIP Gives
education on
an
→
students
in
higher
opportunity to take
internship
in
another
European country.
Specific
for
university
Masters degree level: have a degree or equivalent
Different
Duration:
depending
on the visiting country
Advantages: working
in
another
country,
new
of
European
language
from
skills,
practical training, experience the culture.
How to apply: > Consult your university website
12
to
at
periods
in
2
least
> Choose the country and the job
Erasmusintern.org
24
2
countries
(not home country) Scholarship:
you
receive
a
bursary (no more than 17.500
STEP
for
access of
the
programs
3:
review
description
the
of
the
Erasmus Mundus page STEP 4: visit the official
STEP
5:
collect
information
about
guidance EMA
6:
prepare
your
documentation
consult
the
Mundus
Association:
association)
2:
offered
STEP
60, 90,120 credits
seek
Erasmus
master's degree
euros per year)
To
the
page of the master
> Prepare your documentation > Choose a company
enter
Mundus website
STEP
Requirements: study
1:
catalog
months
experience
STEP official
students
From 2 to 12 months grants
How to apply:
→
(Erasmus alumni
STEP 7: apply online
3.EUROPEAN CORPS
SOLIDARITY
At least 5 people
> Transport
Volunteering program: Short term (max. 2 months) Long term (max. 12 months) Teams
(less
than
2
months
and min. of 10 volunteers)
>
150
Accommodation with
other
days
per
month
(besides weekends). >
Working
is
you 2
hours
or
should
not
a
experience!
a
long
term
If
term
a
However, short
if
exceed 5 hours per day.
you
> No study requirements.
experience first, you can do a
> No paid work: no financial and
do
one.
long term afterwards.
organization responsabilities.
of
and refugees
and migrants
experience you can not do a short
Reception
integration
lifetime do
Topics: >
It
Holidays:
(shared
volunteers
platform
>
In your home country
European values
> Insurance (CIGNA)
Youth
From 18 to 30 years
to
From 2 to 12 months
> It is necessary to register on the European
80
host family)
> Age: from 18 to 30 years.
→
(from
> Food allowance >
Characteristics:
money
€)
flat
Portal.
Solidarity projects
Everything is covered:
term
>
Citizenship
and
democratic participation >
Disaster
prevention
and
recovery > Environment and natural protection > Health and wellbeing > Education and training >
Employment
and
entrepreneurship *Fun fact: Sapin is the European
traineeship and jobs:
Union's country with the highest
From 2 to 6 months
number of members signed up to
Full time job
the European Solidarity Corps.
Salary
> Creativity and culture >Sports
4.ERASMUS FOR YOUNG ENTREPENEURS Cross-border aspring
exange
program
entrepreneurs
the
that
chance
offers to
new
learn
or
from
experienced entrepreneurs who run small or mediums businesses in other participating countries.
5. YOUTH EXANGE Age: from 18 to 30 years (líderes with no limits). Methods: non formal education. Duration: from 5 to 21 days. Countries: EU+ partners
It started running in 2009. Participants
must
do
an
internship
and
What
is
covered:
collaborate for a period of 1 to 6 months.
accommodation,
There is no age limit.
reimbursement
Goal: connect new entrepreneurs that want to
distance band.
learn and host entrepreneurs that want to teach
Profile:
what
the specific topic.
they
do.
Creation
collaboration. Financial support: 530 to 1100
of
a
project
in
young
Composition
€/month.
countries
and
travel, according
people
of
food,
the 5
to
the
interested
group:
on
min.
participants
2
per
country. Why hosts should do it? It is an opportunity to receive
Certification YouthPass.
someone
Managed by the Youth organization
and
improve
language
skills,
get
contact networks and teach your skills.
How to apply?
→
Erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu.com
new
informal group, 4NGO.
6. MOBILITY OF YOUTH WORKERS Age: from 18+. Methods: non formal education. Duration: from 5 to 21 days. Countries: EU+ partners What
is
covered:
food,
accommodation,
travel,
reimbursement according to the distance band. Profile: youth leaders, social workers, volunteers, NGO's members… Certification YouthPass. Managed
by
the
Youth
organization
informal
group, 4NGO. Why:to create new partnerships between NGO's, improve working methods, share own knogledges…
SPEAK UP+: RADICALISATION, HATE SPEECH AND EXTREMISM
Freedom of expression refers to the right to express beliefs and interests openly. However, it becomes a concern when freedom of expression is used to advocate or use violence to achieve a political, religious, or ideological goal.
Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. They can be from a diverse range of ethnic, national, political, and religious groups. As the person radicalises, they may begin to seek to change society or government significantly. If fear, violence, or terror are used to achieve their aims, this is violent extremism.
Whilst the radicalisation process is unique to each person who undergoes it, risk factors that lead to the radicalisation of youth are important to consider so that they may be effectively
detected
and
enable
government,
organisations,
or
society
preventionist or interventionist strategies and offer necessary support.
to
implement
Hate speech can consist of comments, images and symbols that generate hostilities, motivated by prejudice towards a person or group, on the basis of who they are.
Exposure to hate speech can be direct, however it is increasingly witnessed online, through social media platforms and even gaming sites. Children already growing up in a vulnerable, stressed environment will be more impacted by the stress they are also exposed to long-term online.
Communities play a vital role in assisting people to move away from violent extremism and intervening to stop acts of violence before they are committed.
DAILY ACTIVITIES SUMMARY
6/21/21
Once all the countries had arrived in Bansko, we started doing various activities to get to know each other better. We participated in games that helped us remember each other’s names.
6/22/21
We continued to get to know each other in the morning. During the day, we began to go through important topics such as radicalization and hate speech. We made mind maps and notes in groups and put the most important things on paper, which we then presented to the rest of the group. In the evening, we had a tour of the town in groups in the form of a treasure hunt to get to know each other and the town better. In the evening, we had a social night where we all spent time together and had a fun night.
6/23/21
In the morning, we went through various erasmus projects and what these projects involve and
to
whom
they
are
directed.
During
the
day,
we
went
through
other
funding
opportunities and also learnt how to and who can apply. In the afternoon, we started going through important topics such as radicalization and anger speech and discussed them in small groups. We took notes and mind maps that were later presented to the rest of the group. In
the
evening,
we
had
the
intercultural
night.
Each
country
brought
something
that
represented their own country, such as food and drink for others to taste. Each country also showed some kind of video of their own country or different traditions. In the late evening, everyone celebrated and listened to music from each country.
6/24/21
In the morning we talked a little more about youth radicalisation in groups. During the day we considered youth radicalisation within our own countries and gave presentations of them to everyone. In the afternoon we started planning the project outcomes to create the final video, testimonials, brochure and articles, allocating tasks to each individual.
6/25/25
In the morning, we tried to arrange which factors lead to and connect the next stage of radicalisation and extremism. This helped us to visualise how every step, no matter how minor, is interconnected and something that may seem minor, such as stereotypes, can have a snowball effect. In the afternoon, we discussed
radicalisation
and
the
factors
that
influence
this.
We
then
engaged
in
an
activity
that
considered the roots/reasons and effects of hate speech, youth radicalisation and extremism through the visualisation of a tree. This was presented to the group to demonstrate the similarities in the root causes of the topic and where prevention can be implemented.
6/26/2021
Trip day to Rila Monastery and Blagoevgrad: we visited the old convent and cave. Afterwards, we went to town to try local food and visit the shops.
6/27/21
In the morning, we went through a radical hold again in groups. From the afternoon we continued our projects and they started to be completed at a good pace. In the evening there was a free evening again and we went on an excursion to the woods and then we came to spend the evening at the hotel.
6/28/21
In the morning we did plays on different subjects and then the group had to fix the situations. In the evening we finished all the projects to finish after which we had a BBQ night and everyone had a good evening
PARTICIPANTS EXPERIENCES 1. Samuel (SPAIN) “NECESSARY” I’m learning a lot from other cultures, practicing English as well as sharing time, space, experiences and knowledge with a big group for first time in my life which is teaching me so much. The main things we’re learning here are the different necessary human rights movements and also, we can debate to see others points of view, how do they see those realities from their different countries and cultures which is really interesting. I strongly recommend to youth people live this experience not only for practicing English but learning many tools that will be useful not only here also in your daily life
2.Naroa (SPAIN) “OPEN YOUR EYES” You
don’t
only
learn
about
from
the
project
topic,
also
a
lot
from
your
partners
life
experiences. Learning and realizing about another cultures, things what you may think there were happening in the same way in fact may be really different despite the fact that we are “neighbors” countries. I will recommend to young people live this opportunity because it opens your eyes, you go out of your comfort zone and you encourage to open yourself and share in different language.
3.Teodora (ROMANIA) “CURIOUS” I found many information that I didn’t know before and I didn’t use, like the experiences of other people regarding to hate speech and discrimination, definitions and so on. I
also
met
people
from
other
cultures
that
I
haven’t
met
before
and
I
hadn’t
had
experienced with. I also met people that their cultures and shared geography’s experiences which were unknown for me and I have really enjoyed it so much. I definitely recommend experience it.
4.Dimitri (ROMANIA) First experience in Bulgaria and I don’t regret it at all. I love that here, in Bansko, I’ve met so many open people and their unique experiences life stories. From the first days we made a strong relationship by sharing all our stories. I think I’ve learned many things here about real issues in our world and how to prevent them. For sure I’ll come back to Bulgaria and Bansko for future projects. I recommend to live this experience almost once in life.
5.Ferdinando (ITALY) “CHALLENGING” I’ve realized in this project, even more, how much is challenging and amazing take part in these kind of opportunities even if is not the first experience. That’s because meeting new people makes everything different and new, giving always a new perspective regarding our role in the society and what we could do to improve ourselves. For sure is an experience that everybody should experience to realize about how powerful is.
6.Francesca (UK) “THOUGHT-PROVOKING” Learn something new about difficulties, understand the topics and receive new tools. It’s been really interesting and so insightful learning about other countries perspectives and also about hate speech and radicalization from different points of view. The best part is meeting new people, make friends around Europe and grow together.
7.Hemma (UK) This project is incredibly eye opening and allows everyone to be themselves. We all shared ideas, langauge, food and experiences together. This was one of the best experiences of my life and I really encourage anybody who is interested to take this opportunity!
8.Ella (FINLAND) “WILD EXPERIENCE” There are so much information that we are learning here, I think is good and a great thing. The definitions and realization about the different categories from the main topic. The most important it’s been about hate speech and radicalization because I didn’t know almost anything about it when I came here but I actually know more. It’s also been really interesting learning about LGTBIQ+, it gave me different points of view about why it’s important to spread and share this information, for sure I know more than when I arrived. If you want to grow, learn and know more things this is a great way and experience for that.
BANSKO
Bansko
is
a
town
southwestern
in
Bulgaria,
located at the foot of the Pirin
Mountains.
popular
ski
It
resort.
is
In
a
your
free time you can enjoy the forests, which are only a 5 minute
walk
away.
There
are lots of restaurants, bars, and nightlife. We are accommodated in a hotel
that
from
the
The
hotel
amenities
is
a
short
centre
of
also such
as
walk town.
includes a
gym
swimming pool, tennis court and a games room.
KAZANLAK
PLOVDIV
SOFIA of
Plovdiv is the second largest
Kazanlak is the centre
Bulgaria and its largest city.
city in Bulgaria, Plovdiv has
of the ROSE VALLEY.
There
preserved extremely valuable
Sofia
is
the
are
capital
many
unique
places for walks. In Sofia you
monuments,
can see cultural places as:
impressive of which are the ROMAN
the
ODEON
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral,
colorful
Museum
AQUEDUCT,
the
Earth
and
,
People,
walla,
And many, many more.
THRACIAN
.
The
the
treasure
ANCIENT
you must visit.
of
THRACIAN
TOMB,
included the UNESCO
magnificent
list, and the MUSEUM
mosaic, the the
the
the fortress
remains
of
SETTLEMENTS.
OF THE ROSE. Nearby is the ancient city of Seuthopolis,
and
is
The treasure of Plovdiv is the
Valley
that
ANCIENT THEATER, that you
THRACIAN KINGS.
Plovdiv
THEATER,
and
the
The city has preserved
the
STADIUM,
Museum of sport,
of
most
must visit.
of
the the
THANKS EUROPE FOR THE ERASMUS+ PROJECTS!
SEE YOU SOON
THE END!