The area of intervention was communication as a tool for active participation in the community you belong to. The need was to improve the way of conveying information, in order to reach all young people, both Italian and foreign, in an effective and easy way. The project is originated from the need expressed by the citizens to fully make use of the rights of citizenship and participation, to be informed on opportunities for institutions to reach them, that can facilitate their integration into social, civil, cultural and professional life and from willingness of the institution to understand these necessities, even in an attempt to give concrete answers. The need for gathering, orientating, participating and training is basic and prioritized for teenagers and young people. The project involved three volunteers from Poland, Russia and Hungary using communication as a tool of active participation in the community, were able to develop their sense of belonging and citizenship in a local community other than their own and acquire skills useful for their integration into the labor market.Objectives 1) Promotion and practice of active citizenship, making young people more aware of their role in the creation of the future Europe 2) Reflect on the common understanding of cross-cutting issues within European society, such as racism and xenophobia 3) Promote dialogue among cultures, ethnicities and religions other than their own 4) Increase the active participation of young people and activity in the public and collective decisions 5) Contribute to civic, social, cultural and professional training, enhancing the sense of belonging to the community and active citizenship Activities and methodologies used The activities in which the volunteers were involved are: 1) Involvement in the program planning of activities of the Cantieri Culturali (organization and management of the cultural program of Officina, management of cultural events and workshops in collaboration with youth organizations) 2) Front and back office activities 3) Support in the planning and implementation of promotional and communication activities (newsletters, social networks, updating websites and digital communication) 4) Area for adolescents - Officina Teen (collaboration in carrying out workshops offered to teenagers in Prato) 5) Incursioni Creative project . It is the specific project dedicated to the art of writing which has been carrying out in the schools of Prato (organization of meetings with teenagers aimed to get them in contact with street art) 6) Teen Teatro Scuola project (planning and organization of the theatre shows) 7) Punto Giovani Europa – youth information center in the Municipality of Prato. Volunteers will be involved in the following activities: • back office activities (collection of data and information research) • daily press review • welcoming of users at the front office and monitoring their needs 8) Radio Off - Web Radio (collaboration in scheduling radio programs) 9) Video Workshop (workshop organization and video editing) 10) Officina del Suono (organizing contests and open rehearsals with emerging youth bands)

This project intends to bring youngsters- volunteers with experience and without in order to exchange practices in spreading the idea of volunteering via various media’s forms. 24 participants age 16-29 from Ukraine, Hungary and Lithuania will have an opportunity to discuss, learn about Medias and their use in volunteering. This will go along with usage of non-formal methods, new tools and experiencing new cultures. Each country will share what volunteering means in their culture, good practices in their youth work with medias and all together will try to search for the most appealing methods how to attract young people to be volunteer and as a result to prepare materials to reflect benefits of youth exchange and volunteering and stream via all possible media channels. This project will give an opportunity for youngsters even with fewer opportunities from various countries to have a look at volunteering from various angles: cultural, methodical, society’s, not active youngsters (in order to search for best media tool). It will deepen knowledge about non formal methods, countries and will give clear results- prepared materials ready to be shared in media in all partner countries.This will also let to build international partnership of the project partners and learn basic skills or improve current ones, how to work in international team and environment.

"The Initiative Christen für Europa e.V ./ ICE conducts for more than 20 years political- social youth education, international youth exchanges and voluntary services, and thus combines civil engagement and intercultural learning. The project ""Bridges of Humanity"" (""Brücken der Menschlichkeit"") offers young people to carry out a service in social and youth centres which supports and connects human rights and international bonding, the principle of voluntariness, service, learning and taking over responsibility.The current project includes one participant whose period of service is 12 months. In general, the volunteer worked 35 hours a week and was in service at the ICE. The participant was 26 years old, motivated to engage in international youth work and open to a new social environment, language and lifestyle. He was very motivated to acquire the German language and the end of the volunteer project, he could already speak it fluently.The participant was selected by the European partner organization ""Ser Joven"" in Santander/ Spain in a transparent process. The sending organisation provided him with a thematic and language preparation. Upon their arrival at the place where the project is carried out, he was introduced by a mentor and accompanied throughout the whole project period. The cooperation partners were in permanent contact to ensure the best assistance for the volunteers.During his stay, the main focus was the cultural exchange, the acquisition of linguistic and thematic competence and mutual learning from each other. Another concern was the promotion of tolerance and respect towards others. Topics such as intercultural communication, human dignity and rights, inclusion, european awareness and historical backgrounds for a common understanding of Europe were covered in seminars and theme evenings of both educational institutions. Through these encounters international understanding, intercultural learning and the development of a single European feeling were promoted. The volunteer’s activity consisted mainly of organising and conducting thematic workshops, the assistance of different seminar groups, providing information and creative ideas for the PR. Especially due to the independent participation in the field of youth work, seminars and international meetings, the volunteers could test his skills, enhance his expertise and make important contacts.Thus, intercultural understanding, responsibility for the convergence towards a social Europe and the reduction of racism was promoted not only among the project participants, but also at a regional and international level."

The Youth Office of the district Steinfurt is regionally responsible for coordinating of the the open and associational youth work, youth policies, youth career assistance and for youth-specific topics. One of its priorities is the international youth work since 1997. As the sending and coordinating organization the Youth Office supervises and manages currently 13 approved projects. The range of projects in the district Steinfurt is large and diverse. Nevertheless, there emerges a focus of the project. Many projects are characterized by the open educational work with children and young people. This results for the respective project places often a large space of shaping of the content for the volunteers. The participation can quite specifically relate to the own interests, hobbies and strengths of the volunteers. This is even encouraged. The projects are located in the district Steinfurt in the following communities: Hopsten, Lengerich, Ibbenbüren, Velpe, Westerkappeln, Saerbeck, Hörstel, Ladbergen, Lotte, Tecklenburg. All projects are open for 6 to 12 months of voluntary service. In addition to the personal support of volunteers / volunteer by a tutor / a tutor in the respective project, ensures the Youth Welfare Office, in addition the standard supply (payment of pocket money, accommodation, language courses and bus tickets for one year) for the mentoring of all projects. In addition, the Youth Welfare Office invites for continuous reflection meetings of all volunteers in the district Steinfurt and regular cultural events.

"The Initiative Christen für Europa e.V ./ ICE conducts for more than 25 years political- social youth education, international youth exchanges and voluntary services, and thus combines civil engagement and intercultural learning. The project ""Bridges of Humanity"" (""Brücken der Menschlichkeit"") offers young people to carry out a service in social and youth centres which supports and connects human rights and international bonding, the principle of voluntariness, service, learning and taking over responsibility.The current project included one participant whose period of service was 12 months. In general, the volunteer worked 35 hours a week. The volunteer did their service at the Catholic University Parish Regensburg. The participant was 27 years, engaged in international youth work and was open to a new social environment, language and lifestyle. The volunteer already spoke German well when she started her voluntary services. During the voluntary services, she has improved her language skills. The participant was selected by the European partner organization the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service in Budapest in a transparent process. The sending organisation provided her with a thematic and language preparation. Upon her arrival in the Hosting Organization, she was introduced by a mentor and accompanied throughout the whole project period. The cooperation partners were in permanent contact to ensure the best assistance for the volunteer.During her stay, the main focus was the cultural exchange, the acquisition of linguistic and thematic competence and mutual learning from each other. Another concern was the promotion of tolerance and respect towards others. Topics such as intercultural communication, human dignity and rights, inclusion, European Welfare and historical backgrounds for a common understanding of Europe were covered in seminars and theme evenings of both educational institutions. Through these encounters international understanding, intercultural learning and the development of a single European feeling were promoted. The volunteer’s activity consisted mainly of organising and conducting thematic workshops, the assistance of different seminar groups, providing information and creative ideas for the PR. Especially due to the independent participation in the field of youth work, seminars and international meetings, the volunteers could test her skills, enhance her expertise and make important contacts.Thus, intercultural understanding, responsibility for the convergence towards a social Europe and the reduction of racism was promoted not only among the project participants, but also at a regional and international level."