The theme of this training was “International Youth Training on Conflict Transformation and Negotiation through Turbulence” Occurrences and events of the last couple of years, ranging from violent riot in U.K in 2010, violent protest in Spain, Bulgaria and Greece are constantly confusing young people as to the veracity of non-violent response to conflict. The sporadic violent confrontation in Ukraine beats everyone’s’ imaginations of how civil protest can degenerate to a civil war with thousands already dead and counting. This and many more was why international Youth Training on Conflict Transformation and Negotiations through Turbulence was very crucial at this material time. Today ‘s world is challenging for young people: the different and changing economic climate, skyrocketing youth unemployment, constant violent flash points across Europe with no clear end in sight. When there is despair, there is a natural attraction to use violence either to make a point or to assert oneself. During this dire situations and circumstances, youth workers play an important role in supporting young people in coping with personal, economic, social and intercultural conflicts. They facilitate constructive learning outcomes and stimulate reflective perspectives, supporting young people in recognizing conflicts as part of an important learning process. The project sought to train youth workers, youth leaders, and managers of youth projects in a standardized conflict transformation and negotiation skills. The training was a departure from the usual conflict trainings rather it used the John Paul Lederach model pioneered in 1980s which saw conflict as something that must not necessarily be resolved or managed but TRANSFORMED because conflict is natural and neutral. The project redirected youth energy from reacting to conflict but responding and engaging with conflict and gave them skills to analyse the WHY of conflict and able to follow the right approaches to conflicts transformation but because you can not transform any form of conflict without adequate knowledge of negotiation skills. The training fused these two important concepts and tools together. One of the aims of the training was to empower and equip young leaders and youth workers with negotiation skills. Its obvious everyone negotiates something every day. You negotiate with your family about where to spend the weekend. We have negotiated all these activities without having the skills or being conscious we were negotiating. But how does one become an effective negotiator? The project sought to make young people change agents and unarmed army of youth skilled in Conflict Transformation and Negotiation skills. Non-formal Experiential learning methods were used at the training. Young people were supported to be masters of their own learning. The approach was combined with participatory methods which allowed role plays, story telling and new creative methods at responding to pressures and frustrations which included Conflict Analyses. Lenses of Conflict, reconciliation, negotiation skills and team building. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT INCLUDED;-The project trained 33 youth workers, youth leaders and youth in specific Conflict transformation skills. - The project trained youth workers and young people in Negotiation skills in times of turbulence and at all times- The project trained youth workers and young people on how to transform pressures associated with social and economic obstacles- The project trained youth workers and youth leaders the fundamental principles of creators who takes the advantages of bad situations to create new and better opportunities- The project trained youth workers and youth leaders in team building and team leading skills which will enable them to leverage diversity in a multicultural workspace.The project took place in Brighton in U.K for a Period of ten days between 6th to 15th of October, 2015, accommodation was at Travelodge and training facility was at Community Base across the hotel .Partner countries were carefully selected, which includes Poland, Romania, Hungary, Norway, Italy ,Ukraine, Portugal and Spain and U.K. The participant learnt new skills of how to manage and transform conflict with negotiation skills during uncertainties and pressures. The project deepened participants understanding on the nature and the different types of conflict understanding and how to measure vulnerability which enhances mutual coexistence. The participants would learnt the necessary skills to train other people on conflict transformation methods, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, conflict analyses and negotiation skills through non-formal education methods .The partners formed part of a new network of organizations of peace-builders and youth negotiators. This project has kick-started an ongoing revolutions of non formal experiential learning methods for creating change and working in a multicultural space with tolerance and

"The project ""Women in Europe. Erasing violence against women"" was designed as a long term activity with two multilateral exchanges among which only one was funded by Erasmus+ Programme through Italian National Agency.The project aimed at raising, among young participants, awareness about the set of norms, customs and visions which characterize the status of women in European society. The project involved 40 young people (9 participants + 1 group leader per Country) from Bulgaria, Spain, Turkey and Italy. The participants were involved in various non formal educational activities, held in Santa Ninfa between the 5th and 11th of May 2015. Thanks to this youth exchange the participants had the opportunity to share their ideas about the economic, political, social and cultural role of women both specifically in their Countries and generally in Europe. One of the main ideas of the project was to create a communication strategy among young people from different Counties and different cultures in order to undertake a path of action for ending violence against women, especially on online platforms. In this way, the participants had the possibility to launch a clear and precise message: respect and love are the fundamental values for the cohabitation between the people, regardless their gender, nationality, ethnicity and sexual orientation. The general objective of the project was to develop a better intercultural comprehension among participants and a stronger sensibility towards the issues of the project, hoping that this would help to create a better virtuous approach to gender policies in the countries of European Union. The implementation of this project created, among the participants, the desire to propose projects on the women rights issues, particularly on violence against women. This outcome will hopefully create a domino effect of awareness raising at European level. Besides that, through the non-formal and nonviolent methods we aimed at firstly furnishing information on how to recognize the acts of violence in different forms and contexts, and then encouraging our participants, especially female ones, to denounce the acts of violence. We believe that this awareness and sensibility is the positive impact of this projects on the participants and, through them, their friends and families.As a long term benefit, we believe that this project will help to meet the need, often unspoken, of the recognition of the right to complaint and the lodgment itself. In this way, it will be possible to practice the juridical processes which are often blocked by the apathy of the society and the shame felt by the victims. The awareness of the phenomenon of the violence against women and the sensibility to act for suppressing it is an important step the achievement of fully exercise of the human rights and fundamental freedoms in the World."

"The project ""Rebuilding trust in the European Union through the use of Mass Media” (Trust in Europe) achieved the following objectives:1. Provided youth workers from Spain, Greece and Italy with the necessary skills, both theoretical and practical, so that they can use the mass media (radio, newspapers, television/movies and social networks) as work tools to promote European citizenship and counteract the negative problems that are facing the new generations of Europeans.2. It provided a space where youth workers from Spain, Greece and Italy exchanged good practices on the use of mass media as a tool to promote European values ​​and raise awareness of the positive aspects of the European Union (EU) in life daily of the new generations of Europeans.For this, a training course was developed in Salamanca (Spain) where the youth workers (from Spain, Greece and Italy) addressed the following topics:1. They explored the operational (empirical) definition of the mass media (radio, newspapers, television/movies and social networks) in the framework of non-formal education and in the field of youth (especially with those in unemployment or with a migratory background).2. They increased their competences on how to use the mass media to promote the feeling of belonging to the EU (European citizenship, European values ​​and interculturality) in the field of youth (especially with those in unemployment or with a migratory background) .3. They increased their learning on how to empower civic and politically the new generation of Europeans (especially those in unemployment or with a migratory background) through the mass media.4. They identified how to develop, through the mass media, non-cognitive skills (teamwork, public speaking, conflict resolution, decision making) for social and labor inclusion in the field of youth (especially with those in unemployment or with a migratory background).In this way, youth workers from Spain, Greece and Italy are more able to work with youngsters in the framework of innovative approaches through mass media, especially with those in unemployment or with a migratory background. In addition, they have more knowledge and skills to deal with the current problems faced by young Europeans (youth unemployment, political disaffection, risk of exclusion, anti-European) and, on the contrary, promote a sense of belonging to the EU in these young people, a civic-political empowerment and a social and labour inclusion."

"""One World"" was a Youth Exchange thanks to which 36 young people from Jordan, Palestine, Turkey, Sweden, Spain and Italy had opportunity to gather together in Palermo for 7 days to discuss about very important values such as diversity and tolerance. Through the project activities these young people were guided to explore their perception towards diversity and the influence society has on this perception. ""One World"" included also participants with fewer opportunities, such as the ones facing social difficulties and/or cultural differences. In this way we guaranteed the diversity in the group and ensured the achievement of the main objective of the project which was the respect of diversity and mutual understanding. The chose of Palermo as the location of this exchange was because of its rich cultural and history with Arabic, African and European influences, as well as its current situation that reflects a big variety of cultural diversity. We believe that this characteristic of Palermo was an added value in the project and complementary to the goal of the project and experience of the exchange since in our media based world that constantly communicates attacks, un-safety and distrusting of ‘the other’ makes it difficult for youngsters to be open to diversity. The main aim of this project was to foster a culture of peace amongst young people. By empowering and assisting youngsters to experience a reality beyond their own cultural roots and backgrounds, we tried to stimulate tolerance and a curiosity towards diversity. The specific objectives were: 1. To increase the level of knowledge about cultural self-awareness, culture specific information and sociolinguistic awareness; 2. To establish an attitude of respect, openness and curiosity towards diversity and multiculturalism; 3. To develop interpersonal, intercultural and social competences; 4. To promote participation in intercultural dialogue and cultural expression; 5. To develop the intercultural competences of adaptability and flexibility; 6. To understand the profiling, limitation and influence of media regarding stereotypes and discrimination; 7. To equip youngsters with the skills to promote social inclusion and equality by using their voice, mind, story and vision. The project activities consisted of a range of Non-Formal learning methods. Exercises were applied to allow participants to stretch the limits of their imaginations and habitual behaviors, and to deconstruct and analyse societal structures of power and oppression. Image Theatre was used to explore issues of oppression, diversity, discrimination and stereotyping. Active methods such as role play, debates, discussions, situation analysis, and reflection through various medium (document, video, pictures) were used. Additionally we had a special focus on addressing prejudice in an international context by sharing experiences about diversity, culture, customs and habits. We believe that by confronting participants with a variety of realities we stimulated critical thinking and reflection on their personal attitudes and values. Participants left this project with a new level of social and intercultural competences that will positively influence their approaches and behavior towards diversity. Finally, we believe that the long term benefits of the project will be seen in young people actively taking part in the realisation of a culture of peace."

<< Objectives >>The COVID-19 outbreak affects all segments of the population and is particularly detrimental to members of those social groups in the vulnerable situations. Youth have suffered a lot due to the lockdown, travel restrictions, social gatherings, etc. For months, they were unable to attend school, meet friends, go out, play sports, and participate in cultural activities. The COVID-19 pandemic affected their jobs, education, mental health, human and civil rights. Young people have suffered spiritual and emotional losses. Also, the pandemic exposed racial discrimination and other inequalities. As we know, music and dance can relax the mind, energize the body, improve the motivation, and even help people to better manage pain and reduce symptoms of depression. With the company of traditional music and dance, the youngsters will be more likely to be aware of their and also others’ emotions and behaviours and traditions, cultural and behavioural specificities. Especially in the post-COVID, it is essential for the youth to incorporate their traditional music and dance into everyday life.Thereby, the Youth Exchange will allow youth ages 18-30 from different countries to process, using music and other creative expressions, the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic and its generational implications. The project aims to create a space to process the months of isolation and harrowing experiences caused by the Coronavirus and transform them into the message of solidarity, sent by young people to all those affected by the crisis - particularly the “invisibles” of our societies and youngsters. The Youth Exchange will give space to the youth from EU and neighbouring countries to exchange ideas and experience, improve teamwork, create and be involved in informal exchange activities/workshops, making sure NFL methodology, as well versatile and diverse environment. The Youth Exchange aims to:•Promote the well-being of young people, prevent their isolation and exclusion, and encourage creative expression and socialisation;•Encourage the exchange of experiences between young people of different backgrounds and cultures using common means of expression (music);•Increase the key competencies of young people, including those with fewer opportunities, particularly personal, social and learning competencies;•Promote active citizenship and participation, intercultural dialogue, social inclusion and solidarity, European values and human rights among the participants and a wider audience.The Youth Exchange provides interactive communication among cultures and individuals, groups and organisations with different educational backgrounds and behavioural skills, through getting insight into the benefits of international Youth Exchange, its interactive activities and methods. We are confident this project opening new learning horizons, will have a strong impact on the participants, their organisations and communities and will “cause” worthy and high quality follow-up projects.<< Implementation >>This challenging Youth Exchange will bring together prospective young people from the partner countries. Young people of the age of 18-30, keen on sharing and gaining experience, intercultural communication, international learning, educational Youth Exchanges, European learning methods will join the project. They will be the ones to be able to communicate in English and develop the foreign language. We hope through activities about traditional music and dances the youth can manage their stress, experiencing different cultures. The project will give enough space to the young people to be part of the international challenging exchange, share and gain knowledge and practice, developing appropriate skills. It will develop number of skills the participants need to relax and overcome Post-Covid stress, making positive changes in their communities, promoting NFL. All the participants will be given space for cross-cultural communication and will improve the level of tolerance. This project’s participants are eager to improve: -Creativity, flexibility, organisation and communication skills; -Willingness to share and gain knowledge from youth of other cultures and social groups, get awareness of willingness to accept differences and adapt to them; Interest/experience in NFL; -Time management & accurate working skills; aware of own culture, understand and respect others’, are tolerant, have democratic views; eager to make changes in their communities and motivate peers to join such projects; are interested to learn about and make use of E+, involving youth with fewer opportunities. Various team building and communication, trust gaining, problem solving and other activities and games implemented during the project will foster the improvement all of above mentioned skills. Everyday activities will be accompanied with reflection groups. We find it important to give space to the youth to regularly reflect on all aspects of the day, discuss the content, logistics and implementation, raise their concerns and come up with suggestions to the team. Reflection groups will give a chance to the team to be able to better meet the participants’ needs and expectations. All the planned activities will act as the best optimal way to practice appropriate skills, as well to increase the level of the groups’ dynamics, creativity, communication, organization skills; ability to think out of the box and work in multicultural environment; will contribute for raising the positive awareness on each other and promote the EU programme, as well the idea and privileges of NFL. At the end of the project the participants will evaluate it and come up with new ideas. They will design follow-up projects, organize international brainstorming, communication, motivation, presentation and other skills demonstrating/improving activities, maintaining friendly intercultural relations for future cooperation.<< Results >>In post-COVID there is still a need for genuine human connection and understanding in our life. The project shed light on communication and social intelligence, which go hand-in-hand. The project will help the young participants involved gain the awareness of the potential of traditional music and dance during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This project will have impact on partners by promoting mutual learning process, diversity participation that our local communities face on the daily basis; communication, cultural and intercultural. We expect concrete impact on the project’s target groups, so that the the participants will: •Be confident to address the issues of stress, caused by isolation or inequality;•Experience time and stress-management;•Have grasp of solid knowledge about different traditional dance and music;•Obtain skills, necessary for socialization;•Know how to be more inclusive and non-confrontational to changes and differences, embracing diversity and minority, and developing divergent thinking;•See value in environmentally-friendly lifestyle;•Have grasp of practical skills to be used in work, especially work in an international environment;•Develop flexibility and adaptability, skills in entrepreneurship and leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, etc; •Learn, practice, introduce and spread standards and methods of NFL; •Foster the improvement of each of 8 key competences; •Have better understanding of E+, Youthpass and their provided opportunities; design follow-up projects;•Prejudices and stereotypes will be overcomed by human interaction and friendship; •Become physically active, develop skills in teamwork, work in international environment; •Getting awareness of the fundamental values of our society (like solidarity, respect & tolerance towards each other) foster equality and create strong fundament of long-lasting international cooperation; •Be motivated to promote changes in their regions and implement follow-up events for the youth and local communities.The biggest impact we desire this project to make is to give the participants space to become confident to find ways of overcoming any stressful situation in their lives, never breaking halfway. Thus the participants will learn to inspire international team, be flexible, work cohesive, solve issues and achieve goals, experiencing non-formal learning. The project will provide a strong positive 1st experience of international group exchange work, interactive communication among cultures & individuals, groups & organisations. Together with the participants we want to take a look to their local realities and think about Youth Exchanges, that can have even larger impact on their comm.-s and be more accessible to everyone.