Workshop 4

Short-term exchange of pupils groups on the Civil Initiative topic. The leading organization, Narva Kreenholmi Gümnaasium, organized the meeting in Estonia (18.11.2019 – 12.11.2021). 4 students + 2 accompanying persons from each partner school participated.

During the workshop organized by the Estonian school, the participants got an overview of civil initiatives on the example of different voluntary and charity campaigns organized in Narva, Estonia. Using the brainstorming method, students formulated problems that could be solved as a civil initiative.

After that, every group of students chose one solution that could be initiated and implemented locally. In groups, they made a plan of all steps needed to implement the idea. At the end of the week, students presented their projects to other groups. After getting back home, students implemented and carried out their opinions and gave feedback.

The measurable results were:

• • the plan of action for each partner school,

  • implemented initiative and summary about it.

PROGRAM:

The day of arrival contained a meeting with project partners, the aim of which was to go through the week's schedule and give explanations where needed. The first day of the international conference was planned to get to know each other, the school, and the surrounding area. For that purpose, the following activities were carried out: ice-breaking and team-building activities, walking tours in the school and city, and presentations of partners as a part of the homework.

The second day was focused on local government issues and young people's role and possibilities to make local changes. To gain this, participants got an overview of the Students' Government in school. They met with representatives of the Volunteer Movement in Estonia, visited the City Council, and met with politicians. With this background knowledge, students were ready to start to work in groups and fulfill the following task: students had to work in groups and define a problem that would be possible to solve as a civic initiative. They had to explain their choice, pick a name for the project, formulate goals, create a plan for its implementation, design the project demonstration and demonstrate it to other groups and teachers.

This work was planned for the third and fourth day of the meeting week, and the group work included a workshop in VitaTiim – the center of non-formal education (on the third day), and a visit to the Narva Youth Center (on the fourth day).