Interculturality and intercultural learning are essential and unavoidable issues on the field of European Youth Work. However,the notion of ?culture? and ?Intercultural Learning? as applied in the practice of the European youth field is too static and fails toaddress important dimensions threatening social cohesion: social injustice, discrimination, power relations, ambiguous identities.It also takes too little into account what migration and globalization general had as impact on the understanding of ?culture?,?identity? and ?intercultural learning?.Our project aimed to stimulate critical reflection on the topic, and encourages our participants to to look behind theirunderstanding of culture and Intercultural Learning, and to experience what it means to be diversity conscious and able to dealwith ambiguity and change. This way, the project provides the opportunity and space to critically review the educational andyouth work practice of participants when it comes to intercultural learning.The Melting Iceberg invited 20 participants for this adventurous journey from 5 European organizations. The organization andtheir participants are working in the field of youth work, social cohesion and diversity. Their common point is that they have allidentified that the present understanding of intercultural learning and the methods which follow are unapt to deal with the newforms of identity which are forming as a consequence of the increasing migration and globalization in Europe. Therefore, theywere willing and able to take part in a training which challenges the present understanding of intercultural learning andimplement their learning outcome through their organizational work after the training. Finally, the partnering organizationscompletes each other concerning their different fields of actions, creating a desired syngergy for the project.The participants were representing 3 different generation. We expressed the expectation of equal gender distribution anddiscussed with the partners how this can be ensured during the recruitment process. Participants motivation and learning needswere inquired via an application form, while the impact of the project will be measured and recorded by the evaluation form thatwas filled in after the participation.The approach and methodology of the course was based on consolidated practice of non-formal learning that is informed largely by experiential learning as well as constructivist learning. It put great emphasis on the methods coming from the developingpractice of the diversity ? conscious approach as well as dealing with ambiguity and change.By implementing the project we aimed that partner organizations gain a greater understanding of globalization and migration andthe consequences these have on identity shaping and how to deal with it in an ambiguos way. We also believe that the newknowledge and methods was expending their understanding and engagement of their working field, and that the target groups ofthe participating organizations became better equipped and more able to deal with ambiguity and exercise a morediversity-conscious approach.On an European level, we believe our training contributed to the growing notion of the need of a more diversity-consciousapproach by spreading new methods through Salto Toolbox, existing networks of the respective partnering organizations inHungary, Lithuania, Germany, Austria, and Italy through the people participating in the training.

"“CulTurbulence” is a long-term European Voluntary Service (EVS) project that aimed to promote the mutual understanding and communication between young people - and volunteers from different countries on local inhabitants - especially of Europe. Project involved five volunteers from four different countries – Italy, Hungary, Ukraine and Belarus.“CulTurbulence” created the possibility for volunteers to work directly with local youngsters in 5 Tallinn youth centers - Kesklinna youth center, Kristiine youth center, Pääsküla youth center, Mustamäe youth center and Haabersti youth center. The main aim of the project was to involve volunteers directly and actively in the every-day activities and projects of Tallinn Sports and Youth Department and the hosting youth centers in order to create a common ground for mutual understanding between young people from different cultural background.“CulTurbulence"" has been providing a non-formal intercultural learning experience, it supported the development of local communities and strengthened collaboration between the partners of the EVS project. It gave a chance for the volunteers to make a new step in their lives and at the same time enriched the activities offered to youngsters in Tallinn youth centres by showing them the positive side of being active themselves.All five voluntary services took place from 03.09.2017 to 03.08.2018, which means that each volunteer contributed to youth work in Tallinn for 11 months."

Being an organisation specialized in intercultural exchanges and intercultural learning we would like to broaden our scope. Inviting an EVS volunteer to work at the office for a longer period of time, will enhance the intercultural competences of AFS NED staff and volunteers.The volunteer will work at the office, but we will ensure that the volunteer is active in the field as well. Besides working at the office, where the volunteer will enquire project management skills, and being active in the field, the volunteer will also be offered opportunities to learn about non-formal education. The volunteer will be stimulated to develop and organize her own workshop on an intercultural topic, and from this the volunteer, the staff, the surrounding and the co-creators will all benefit. If wanted, the skills gained within her time at AFS Nederland can determine future study choice or extra-curricular activities where she can develop her skills in topics like: (intercultural) communication, project management, promotion and verbal skills.

"The European Voluntary Service project ""Re-creation of reality"" coordinated by the Foundation Institute for Creative Activities assumed the following goals:- increasing competences in the area of ​​intercultural dialogue through educational activities containing elements of activity and a healthy lifestyle,- coordinating the work of volunteers, consistent with the objectives of the coordinating and hosting organisation- raising awareness of various age groups in terms of culture and participation in the European dimension,- development of competencies (volunteers and organizations) in the field of developing participatory management and cooperation systems,- increasing the skills of work and respect for diversity, curiosity, diversity,- dissemination and exploitation of project results,- open access to materials developed as part of projects,- international dimension and multilingualism,- social inclusion.The project took place in Łódź, from 01/09/2016-31/07/2017. 8 volunteers from 8 countries: Belarus, Hungary, Spain, Russia, France, Serbia, Georgia, Italy, 18 - 30 years old took part in it, . During it the following activities were carried out:1) in the Municipal Public Library in Łódź - there the volunteers organized workshops for various age groups on culture, literature, customs, traditions, games, language and linguistics. The activities were conducted as part of the European Book Clubs.2) in Kindergarten No. 133 and 151 - volunteers conducted classes on cultures, customs, language, games, games, nature, art, music, movement.3) Foundation Institute of Creative Actions -volunteers conducted classes for children and seniors on healthy lifestyle, culinary, exercise, sports and language. In addition, volunteers jointly organized events for the local community, visited educational institutions, where they talked about EVS and Erasmus +, implemented their ideas for additional activities - such as a fashion show and football tournament, theatrical performances of several volunteers in kindergarten, picnics. The implemented project allowed participants to acquire new knowledge and skills in the field of cultural and linguistic diversity, project work, self and other management, group work, learning process, taking initiatives, and budget management. It also allowed to develop social skills, learn about and apply non-formal education tools. For many volunteers, time spent in Łódź was a time to leave the comfort zone, verify opinions on other cultures, and openness to what is new. It was possible thanks to host organizations, job coordinators, mentors, as well as through the use of active and inclusive work methods based on dialogue and cooperation.The project has become an inspiration and encouragement for further activities, to take on challenges.It developed interests, motivated to implement ideas, and let look at ourself from a different perspective. For the coordinating organization, hosting, partners and mentors, it was a time for a new, fresh look at current activities, gaining further skills in international cooperation, communication and management, as well as new ideas and inspirations. An important element is also gaining another experience as a coordinator, establishing new partnerships, expanding the cooperation network, as well as strengthening existing relationships. ""Re-creation of reality"" also showed locally international diversity, culture, customs and created new bonds.The result of volunteers' work was a brochure with a set of recipes and games from different parts of the world. It was promoted and distributed on events during the project, on events at the Foundation and through the media, volunteers, partners."

The seminar “Transversal competences for global employment” will bring together youth workers from the EFIL/AFS network in order to better connect learning outcomes of youth exchanges with the needs and language of the labour market.The project stems from the insufficient recognition given to the educational gains of non-formal education mobility schemes, by the world outside youth work. Young people, who acquire valuable and unique competences in intercultural exchanges, face challenges in capitalising on this learning in professional life. Therefore the specific objectives of the seminar are:- to discuss competences acquired in long-term exchange and volunteering;- to identify conditions needed and existing good practice for transversal competence acquisition in mobility programmes;- to review existing tools for assessment and validation of learning in exchanges;- to connect the mobility learning gains and the youth NGO context to the needs/mindset/language of European labour markets;- to formulate follow-up plans to improve quality, assessment and recognition of mobility educational outcomes.The event will take place in Belgium and will involve 24 participants and 5 facilitators/support staff from 13 European countries. EFIL, as the applicant organisation, will co-ordinate the partnership, however the hosting role will be commonly shared by 3 Belgium-based organisations (AFS Programme Interculturels, AFS Interculturele Programma’s and EFIL), and each promoter will co-shape the project at different stages.During the 4-day programme participants will analyse the role of transversal competences for employability, the current educational practice of exchange organisations vs. the needs of the labour markets today, and the existing NFE recognition tools, in order to formulate recommendations and future plans for the participating organisations. Through interactive participatory methods and peer learning, the competences existing among participants and their organisations will be explored.As key multipliers, participants will pass knowledge onto volunteers in their countries who directly contribute to the quality and better recognition of learning through mobility programmes. The outcomes of the project will thus benefit a great number of young Europeans involved directly and indirectly in exchange organisations, increasing their chance for professional success in the future.