<< Objectives >>he overall objective is to prevent violent extremism through providing the youth with spaces and means for establishing dialogue and co-creation processes.This project was built on having the following understanding for events that took place within the EuroMed region. Over the last decades, Europe has experienced a variety of attacks against civil society emerging from the violent radicalization of specific extremist groups. Religious inspired terror is widely reported in the media and easily labeled as ‘Islamist fundamentalism’ or ‘Jihadism’, terms that wrongly associate Islam and the religious concept of ‘Jihad’ with violence. Contrarily, rightwing extremism is far less present in the public discourse and more resistance is encountered to its labeling as ‘racist’ and ‘terrorism’. The recent history showed that offenders are young people (e.g. the shooting in Munich 07 2016, where nine people have been killed by an 18-year-old, the attacks carried out in Barcelona by a 19-year-old person). Radicalization of youth leading to violent extremism in the form of violence is an urgent problem considering the rise of young people joining extremist groups. A UNDP's research well explains how a fragile setting can open the path to extremism leading to violence. Anyone can be radicalized, but factors such as being easily influenced and impressionable make children and young people particularly vulnerable. Young people are the main target of recruitment and mobilization efforts by extremist organizations. RAN defines radicalization as the process of social, psychological, and ideological changes leading to extremism and potentially violent extremism. Radicalization is a gradual process that young people can undertake without really understanding it. Psychologists attribute this vulnerability to several factors, including but not limited to, young people’s search for identity, a sense of meaning, fellowship, purpose, recognition and belonging. We know that violent extremism is fueled in large part by exclusion, lack of opportunity, marginalization and grievances. Around the world, poverty, discrimination, and inequalities exacerbate perceptions of exclusion and injustice. They create a ‘perfect storm’ for radicalization, recruitment and extremism. Violent extremism is a denial of the democratic values of tolerance, respect, inclusion that are at the core of the European Union. It is urgent to promote peaceful, creative ways for participation and activism, for expressing oneself and for methods that can engage youngsters. The OSCE itself calls for engaging and empowering youth by creating opportunities for them through the promotion of human rights, dialogue and democratic principles, enhancing educational opportunities.The project intends to provide youth workers with tools, networks and knowledge to support them in their future daily work. Youth workers play a crucial role (bottom-up) in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization, because of their ability to foster social change among youth, especially in today’s world, where the role of formal education is often discussed in relation to an eroding leadership. Youth work plays a very important role, being close to young people, helping them to value diversity and to play an active part in democratic life, with a view to the promotion and protection of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms” (Council of Europe’s CM Recommendation 2010/7).<< Implementation >>ComiCipate involved 28 YW from 6 different countries, in Europe and South Med countries, engaged at different levels in project partner organizations, in dealing with issues connected with extremism and violent radicalization prevention. ComiCipatel supported the youth workers to exchange their knowledge, experiences and needs in order to create a new specific tool, related to comics and cartoons, to interact with young people and to shape an inclusive space of dialogue about sensitive topics as violent radicalisation, extremism and social exclusion, helping youngsters to build resilient identities to extremist ideologies. A 5 days training was held in Jordan, Madaba providing excellent opportunities:- for European youth workers to better understand the psychological, social and emotional costs of migration and long-term displacement, particularly among youth, conditions that make them more vulnerable to radicalization.- for south med youth workers to strengthen relationships with their EU colleagues.The project seeks to prevent violent radicalisation by supporting youth workers in learning empowerment approaches based on intercultural understanding and active citizenship, through the use of comics, cartoons and caricatures as tools to explore stereotyped perceptions of other cultures as well as provide pathways to engage learners in dialogue and critical thinking. In fact, comics are a means to connect people, attractive and easy to follow. Combining the benefits of images with written dialogues, comics have the potential to make specific subjects more accessible, engaging and more understandable for a younger audience. Thanks to this tool youth workers will be able to create a ‘safe space’ in which youth can express themselves.<< Results >>The result of the 5-days workshop is being produced and printed in Y’ani comic magazine. In the same line I-Dare (Italy) https://www.i-dare.org/idare-italy/ has been created two years ago as an informal group of youth and youth workers that wanted to focus on the topic of violent radicalisation and to create new educational tools.IDare started its experience by doing research, taking part in conferences, collecting practices that have been shared on the website. Due to the emergence of the topic, the absence of relevant civil society organizations in the Italian scenario plus the high-quality networks established and the results obtained, I-Dare Italy registered itself as non-profit organization to further expand its scope and action.Rato - ADCC's youth work activities are the following: non formal training activities in different areas such as web 2.0 (online communities), free software and multimedia; promotion of volunteering. Within the project’s topics, Rato - ADCC developed a special focus on promoting opportunities of international mobility projects, especially by developing activities (training courses, workshops, multimedia application) related to youth participation and engagement. In the last years there has been growing attention on fostering social inclusion as a tool for fighting violence and hate speech in the local community. Nexes is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 inBarcelona. Its team is formed by youth workers and trainers within European youth mobility and cooperation programmes, who came together because of their common ideals and interest in the dialogue between cultures. Nexes is involved in European programmes of youth mobility and implements various projects in Europe, Mediterranean countries and Latin America, developing an important exchange of knowledge and of experiences in non formal education.The main aim is to raise awareness of young people in: meeting among cultures, focusing on intercultural dialogue and social participation.Espoir (Hope) association for development, created on January 2014, in Tiznit. The association is active in promoting the culture of cinema and it encourages youth to learn more about cultural activities and be engaged in their communities as change makers. When it comes to promoting resilient communities, the association organizes exchange programs in which it hosts volunteers. These work camps or exchange programs allow youth to leave their comfort zone, discover new cultures and promote positive values in their communities. They also aim to raise youth’s awareness over different issues through projecting movies on a weekly basis to increase youth critical thinking and make good use of movies as tools for education.The “Chabibeh Sporting Club” was established in 2002. Since its founding, the club has used sport as a tool to positively integrate young people in their society, and to develop the skills needed to empower them physically, socially, educationally, culturally and professionally. The Club operates where the scene of the past civil war was, and it is still suffering from post-war effects due to the lack or insufficient development programs and to the increase in racism based on religious and political affiliations.

"With “Words Matter” we wanted to promote non-violent communication, the attitude of being fair and responsible of our speeches, critical thinking to fight against extremism, social polarization, hate speech, prejudice, intolerance, misleading facts. The educational process has been based on non formal education activities, community life, shared responsability, intercultural discovery.1- Advance Planning Visit: For Group Leaders for the following activityVenue: Marseille Dates: 19-21 May 2017 Partners: 6 Partners - (total 6 Participants + 1 Facilitator) France: Hors Pistes (1 Participant) + (1 Facilitator) Tunisia: Cultural Club Ali Belhouane (1 Participant) Georgia: Alternative Education Academy (1 Participant) Italy: CEIPES (1 Participant) Egypt: Sting (1 Participant) Croatia: SKWHAT (1 Participant)During the APV the youth leaders and coordinators prepared the main activities and found agreements about the organisation of community life.2- Youth Exchange: Youth exchange for 41 young people 18-25 years oldVenue: St Julien en Beauchene Dates: 1-9 July 2017Partners: 6 Partners France: Hors Pistes (5 Participants + 1 Group leader) + (1 Facilitator) + (1 Logistics Coordinator) Tunisia: Cultural Club Ali Belhouane (5 Participant + 1 Group leader) Georgia: Alternative Education Academy (5 Participant + 1 Group leader)Italy: CEIPES (5 Participant + 1 Group leader) + (1 Facilitator) Egypt: Sting (5 Participant + 1 Group leader) + (1 Facilitator) Croatia: SKWHAT (5 Participant + 1 Group leader)During the youth exchange the main activities have been: - get to know each other and team building- role plays for intercultural learning (""the 3 islands"", ""theatre in mother tongue"")- intercultural evenings - introduction to non violent communication theatre (through personal reflection, group discussion, presentations)- 6 workshops about communication facilitated by each ""national"" group - debate about violence, non violence, freedom of expression (""fishbowl"" method)- final event: sharing with local population workshops about communication, languages, cultures, gastronomy, Erasmus+ programme- Evaluation, reflection on learning, Youthpass and final ceremonyThe main impact of the project was on three levels:- participants and youth leaders: be open minded, autonomous, respectful of differences, capable to live in a community, able to communicate in an efficient and non violent way, more sensitive to topics like Europe, intercultural dialogue, tolerance, social cohesion, prevention of radicalisation, the power of education- local communities: are more aware about non formal education methodologies, Erasmus+ opportunities, non violent communication- partner organisations: developed partnership in the mediterranean area, trained youth leaders that can take initiative for international projetcs and/or local actions"

E-V [European Volunteer] is a project that is based in the partnership with different institutions that create a network with Rato - ADCC and has the purpose to promote locally the tools and methods of IT (Web Design, Free Software, Multimedia and Digital Video Edition) for social and cultural work and promote the european oppportunities for the youth community of Seixal, especially for youngsters with fewer opportunities. E-V will host 2 volunteers (from Poland and Jordan), has the length of 11 months and the following general objectives: * Promote the use of IT as a tool for social and cultural integration; * Promote European awareness and youth empowerment and participation, through Erasmus + Programme and other European opportunities; * Enhance the visibility and impact of local projects and activities developed by different NGO in Corroios and Seixal.

"The project ""Gender Unpon a Time II"" aimed at supporting the development of inclusive groups, communities and larger societies towards acceptance of diversity, especially themes related to gender roles and expression. Culturally and historically defined traditional gender roles, can threaten free expressions of one’s gender identity, provoking possible exclusion and discrimination of people who reject these roles, at the same time blaming people who identify with traditional gender roles. Therefore, the main aim of the project has been to provide participants with processes of exchange and confrontational occasions among different cultures, in order to raise awareness on the socially constructed nature of traditional gender roles. Our aim has been achieved by using non-formal education methodologies.The specific objectives were:-to create a safe space of exchange and discussion to raise awareness and gain knowledge about other cultures and other countries, developing active participation and citizenship (through getting to know each other activities, team-building and group work);-to deepen concepts related to gender roles and expression (through group work and presentations or expert input such as the gender bread kit);-to recognize and deconstruct stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination about gender and sexual identity (through simulations, group work and expert input);-to use theatrical tools and methodologies to enforce one’s empathetic attitude (through embodied learning, spacial awareness, voice exercises);-to share similarities and differences of the social construction process of traditional gender roles (through group work, presentations and theatrical tools);-to spread knowledge of the Erasmus+ program (through expert input, group work and presentations).The project hosted 2 activities with in total 44 participants. More in detail the young people were: aged between 19 and 30, interested in gender related topics and to experience an intercultural exchange, willing to try to communicate in English and motivated to become multipliers for the outcomes of the exchange. The group leaders, were: aged between 25 and 37, active an non-profit organisation and/or the local community, interested to promote the general topic, able to communicate and provide language support in English and able to participate in both activities.The project activities were:-an Advanced Planning Visit held in Noordwijk aan Zee, which gathered the group leaders representing the partners and a youngster from their respective communities, participants who were already involved in the development of Gender Upon a Time from an early stage. The APV took place between the 11-14th of February 2018 and aimed at analyzing the local and national contexts of the youngsters, the partner NGOs and the competences and expertise present in order to fine tune the full exchange programme and remaining tasks. -a ten-day Youth Exchange held in Alpignano from the 5-14th of April 2018 which aimed at reflecting on traditional gender roles in Europe and the Mediterranean area, raising awareness on their socio-cultural nature, in order to deconstruct the idea that they are intrinsic. The participants got a chance to reflect on their own position in relation to traditional gender roles and discovered new tools to express themselves and create outcomes through non-formal methods using creative expression and storytelling.The organised activities have been participant centered. Working methods were varied and interactive in order to ensure a good educational flow and a balanced programme. Impact and benefitsThe direct beneficiaries of the activities were the participants, especially the group leaders and youngsters who took part in the APV. They were able to take part in an e-course on training and facilitation as preparatory activity leading up to the exchange. At least 10 participants were able to acquire and improve various educational methods and tools in a structured way. All participants have had an opportunity to experience non-formal education with youngsters coming from different countries and different cultural backgrounds. Enabling them to gain awareness, new perspectives and competences on sensitive topics. The process enforced their empathetic attitude and formed a first step for some and a continuation of others to their personal growth and their attitude as active citizens. Also offering participants a real and fair 'getting to know' of a part of the world that has an distorted image in the media. The personal stories and experiences also contribute to less friction between people from these different worlds and gives all of us alternative, less radical ideas and a story to share and spread. Using our tools and best practices to multiply our core message in activities, events and meetings in various local communities in the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Italy, Palestine and Jordan."

<< Objectives >>The project springs from the consideration of the great effectiveness of the theatrical methodology if consciously inserted within a framework of Non-formal Education; this is why the main objective of the project is precisely to provide skills in the field of theatrical pedagogy to youth leaders, youth workers, trainers and facilitators working in the field of Non-formal Education in different contexts with the contribution of former Annamaria Simeone and the theater pedagogue Davide Di Palo, aiming to achieve a higher quality of youth work on local and Euro-Mediterranean level.The specific objectives of the project are:-to increase the knowledge of theatrical techniques that can be effective in learning processes;-to deepen the use of theatrical pedagogy in the context of the European Training Strategy;-to delve into the differences between non-formal methodology and theatrical methodology, acquiring the ability to fruitfully use its techniques in a context of NFE;-to provide useful tools for facilitating group dynamics through the theatrical approach;-to provide technical tools to organize performances during educational projects, in order to disseminate the results of the project;-to increase the knowledge of the Erasmus Plus Program as a privileged framework for implementing the skills acquired.<< Activities >>The involved countries are Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Palestine, Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan. The activity will be a Training Course to be held from September 19 to 25, 2019, including arrival and departure days, in Alpignano (To), in Cascina Govean and will be attended by 2 youth workers for each country, 3 for Germany (two participants plus one trainer) and 4 for Italy (two participants, one trainer and one responsible for logistics), for a total of 23 participants. The working language will be English.The Training Course will be centered on the participants, through the use of theatrical methodologies and Non-Formal Education and will offer concrete support to youth workers and youth organizations, promoting the exchange of good educational practices at the Euro-Mediterranean level; in this way we respond to the repeatedly emerged need to ensure a higher quality in the educational work of the associations involved, increasing the variety of methodologies used locally and internationally.The participants will be selected depending on the interest in the main objective of the project: to acquire and enhance skills on the use of techniques of theatrical pedagogy in a context of Non-Formal Education and intercultural learning. It was decided to direct the choice towards Youth Workers, trainers and facilitators without any age limits, but who actively work with and for the young people and who intend to continue and pursue the objectives set in their own local realities. We consider fundamental criteria the interest on the topics covered by the project, the motivation to participate in a training session and the possibility of implementing the skills acquired in the Training Course in their own contexts.<< Impact >>The long-term positive impact is related to the role of the participants as multipliers in their own contexts (locally and internationally), using the tools and best practices that are experienced. The participants will acquire knowledge and skills to facilitate learning and group dynamics through the methodologies of theatrical pedagogy, learning different techniques and best practices to be used in their daily work and easily adaptable to the needs and specific characteristics of their own contexts and their respective target groups. Finally, thanks to the type of partnership there will be the stimulaton to create new synergies between the participants of the two areas, North and South of the Mediterranean who, encouraged trough sessions and during the informal moments, will share their experiences, reflecting on the difficulties and opportunities that they daily face.The participants will be invited and supported in the fulfilment of a local workshop for the dissemination of the project results and recommendations, proposing some of the activities and methodologies learned during the Training Course, paying attention to their adaptation to the specific needs of the various contexts in which they operate. In this way they will be able to contribute to the capacity building of their associations and youth work, even on a local level.Furthermore, as a training output, the Giosef Unito association will produce a list of recommendations for Youth Workers wishing to integrate theatrical techniques into the NFE based on the tools and good practices resulting from the Training Course and respecting the principles of the European Training Strategy. The list will be disseminated online by partner associations as a means to provide specific content, easily accessible and available to every youth worker, that can improve the skills related to Non-Formal Education and at the same time promote the Erasmus Plus Program.