<< Objectives >>Youth exchange “The Melting Pot” is a 7-day activity gathering together 35 participants from 7 countries in Vilnius, Lithuania. The mixed group of youth representing the participating organizations will gather together to celebrate diversity and contribute to make a difference and to take a step toward more equal, inclusive, multicultural and diverse society. There are more than 740 million people in Europe, each one an individual with a different background and life experiences. Cross-border population flows, such as migration, lead to even increased diversity within societies. People can share many different characteristics like culture, religion, ethnicity, language, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, disability, geographic location and lots of other things. Diversity in its simplest meaning is about variety, or having a range of different entities. How should people co-existence of a difference in behavior,traditions and customs? How can we make people live together as One? An acceptance of difference and recognition of mutual respect is crucial.According to Eurostat only in 2017 2.4 million immigrants entered the EU from non-EU countries. The number of people residing in an EU with citizenship of a non-member country in 2018 was 22.3 million. These huge numbers lead to rising tensions in the EU because people are not prepared for this phenomenon. In most cases, the cultural diversity is pointed as a being at the origin of all the problems: frustrations, intolerance, identitarian or communitarian closure, racism. The worrying increase of hate crimes, mistrust attitudes, racist behavior, rejection of others highlight the need to change our behavior. Generation of young people grew up in the middle of diversity and they can play an active role to promote diversity and fight racism and discrimination. This project is designed to explore the topic of diversity and related issues people in Europe face today, so together we can embrace and celebrate each one of those differences and enhance intercultural dialogue. The main idea of the project is to promote cultural diversity and encourage young people to engage in initiatives promoting tolerance and respect towards other cultures.The main objectives of the project are to:-learn ways of understanding diversity and different cultures-achieve a deeper understanding of people facing discrimination and social exclusion because of their cultural, ethnic and religious differences-promote social acceptance of people with different backgrounds living in Europe-promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding between young people living in Europe who belong to different social and cultural backgrounds-encourage participants to actively participate in international projects and use the opportunities of Erasmus + program-increase efforts for inclusion and cultural diversity through the Erasmus + program-enhance the international dimension of the organizations involved in the projectBy reaching above mentioned objectives we believe that youth exchange “The Melting Pot”’ will contribute to creating modern open society by promoting diversity, intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, common values of freedom, tolerance and respect of human rights. During the youth exchange participants will have an opportunity to learn in a different, innovative way and take a part in interactive lectures, working groups, discussions, simulations and role-plays, outdoor activities involving local community, reflections, etc. The working methods applied in the project reflect the needs of an internationally composed group of participants, and those requirements linked to NFE.<< Activities >>For the youth exchange organisations will create a mixed group of participants selecting the active young people from local community. Participating countries are: Lithuania, Italy, Greece, Ukraine, Denmark, Bulgaria, Georgia. Each national group will be composed of 4 young people (aged 18-25) and 1 group leader (18+).Partner organizations together with chosen national group leaders will select participants with diverse background (students, minorities, newcomers etc.) to form the national group to ensure greater dissemination and visibility of the project. Participating organizations decided to involve more newcomers to the project. Gender balance will be ensured.During the youth exchange participants will have an opportunity to learn in a different, innovative way and take a part in interactive lectures, working groups, discussions, simulations and role-plays, outdoor activities involving local community, reflections, etc. The working methods applied in the project reflect the needs of an internationally composed group of participants, and those requirements linked to NFE.Energizers and Icebreaking methods will be used to get to know each other, rise up the energy, activate and focus. Team building activities(Babel tower) will be organized to build a group out of individuals, learn how to cooperate in a team, build mutual trust. Participants will be introduced with Erasmus +, key competences and Youthpass using interactive and multimedia methods.Participants will deepen knowledge in the topic of the project via numerous of thematic activities which are aimed to understand concept of diversity; differences between cultures, trigger participants’ reflection on their own behaviour or reactions in certain situations. Interactive exercise(How diverse is your universe?) will be conducted to demonstrate diversity in everyday life. Iceberg activity will help to understand different aspects of culture. National groups will produce a collages that show cultural diversity in their countries.To allow participants to experience difficulties involved in cross cultural communication and encourage reflection on intercultural competences, simulations(Ambassadors’ tea party; Welcome to my village) will be held.Another part of activities is dedicated to explore assumptions, stereotypes, challenge and provoke participants’ mentalities, develop more critical thinking and sensitivity which will be transferred to a variety of diversity-related topics and in more proactive attitude.To understand labelling, to feel what it is like to be discriminated against because of an inherent trait interactive exercises(Guess who is coming; Get into circle) will be organized. To analyze attitudes towards people from different cultural or social groups simulation(Take a step forward) will be held. To experience how cultures with different values work (or do not work) together, become aware of inclusion/exclusion with a multicultural community(Cultural clash) interactive workshop will be organized.Participants will also raise awareness on advantages of diversity identifying influences of other cultures on their own society, contributions they make and value influences positively by looking for “footprints” from other countries and cultures in their communities(Trailing diversity). Participants will discuss advantages of cultural diversity and brainstorm ideas how to embrace diversity in society, benefit from intercultural learning. Participants will hold creative workshops, during which they will write song promoting diversity, develop project branding, posters breaking stereotypes.The peak of the youth exchange will be outdoor social action organized by participants on November 9th - International Day against Racism. Participants will involve local community by encouraging people to take a picture in background All different all equal, organize, running Free hugs campaign, inviting people to overcome their prejudice. They will explore multicultural Vilnius in a city tour. Every day of the exchange cultural exchange activities will be run by participants, during which they will present their countries and cultures and in a way they want, through food, drinks, dances etc. To assess learning achievements and give feedback Reflection activities in small groups using tools for facilitating the expression games will be held. Participants will also fulfill questionnaire to assess satisfaction with the project and evaluate project in interactive games. << Impact >>On personal/professional level participants will:- feel what it is like to be discriminated/excluded and that will increase their empathy, tolerance, openness, respect, sensitivity toward other cultures- improve active listening, learn to make arguments and express yourself, discuss with others, come to mutual understanding -improve ability of self-awareness, self-reflection and organizing their own learning as well as awareness of the learning process-improve social skills - communication, interpersonal skills - positive attitude, teamwork -develop creative thinking and creativity - improve communication skills - brainstorming, listening, ability to build constructive discussion, networking, decision-making skills, building positive relationship with othersincrease participants teamwork, team management abilities, cooperation skillsimprove public-speaking competences, build self-confidence increase research abilities, information gathering, analytical thinking, presentation skills-improve English language skills-gain knowledge in project management, learn how to generate project ideas, plan project, disseminate project results-foster leadership skillsOn project topic participants will:-raise awareness on Erasmus+, youth exchanges and YouthPass, non-formal education methods-deepen knowledge on definition of diversity and culture and related topics-understand own beliefs and how they affect their life -raise awareness on discrimination, prejudices, stereotypes, confront them with critical thinking-raise awareness about the inequality of opportunities in society, to understand possible consequences of belonging to certain cultural groups-learn about different cultures-be able to point out other culture influences on their own and understand advantages of cultural diversity, valuing other cultures -acquire abilities/attitudes to promote diversity-gain knowledge on organizing public events-improve competences/skills needed to understand, manage and promote diversity-improve intercultural competences - knowledge of cultural-self, valuing other cultures withholding judgment, viewing difference as learning opportunity, tolerance for ambiguity-understand difficulties in cross-communication -acquire basic skills to interact with people of different minorities-facilitate intercultural communication skills, be able to build intercultural dialogue-Understand importance of reflection in educational activities Participants will experience alternative approaches for learning, that will motivate them to participate in other Erasmus+/NFE projects, take more active role in social initiatives. They will make friends, networks in other countries, which could be useful in the future and open more opportunities in life.Project activities will increase participants’ intercultural sensitivity, cultural competences, intercultural interaction that might help them in the future. It is expected that experience will have an effect on the behavior and attitude of the participants: they will become more open-minded, tolerant, respectful, reconsider assumptions and stereotypes they had before coming to the exchange. Gained skills/knowledge, YouthPass certificate might be used while applying for job/internship which will increase their employment opportunities, since employers look favourably upon experience gained abroad and knowledge obtained of another language/culture. In a long-term perspective they might better address diversity in everyday life.Project would help all the participating organizations to raise the profile and grow internationally and increase capacity, improve management skills, reinforce cooperation with partners. They will benefit through gaining more/new experience, improving ways of operating towards their target groups, developing of new project ideas and exchanging experience. It will also increase visibility of the participating organizations, staff motivation and satisfaction as well as teamwork spirit. Local communities will likely develop the sense of respect and tolerance towards different cultures, will widen their knowledge and will adopt new approaches in their daily life. They will also widen their horizons experiencing different cultures and built an understanding of the European values and contribute to more open, tolerant society. Regionally, the project will achieve a positive impact in strengthening civil society, promoting the European values of equity, solidarity, social inclusion. At the international level, the impact of the project will take the form of networking between youthorganisation from different sub-regions of Europe, creating a common vision of the European future and actively engaging young people in its formation. The project contributes to the forming tolerant, peaceful and inclusive society on the continent through educating the young leaders.