INFO-PACK

YOUTH EXCHANGE about European folk games and cultural heritage

19-29 September - Valencia, Spain (Travel days included)

Introduction

“Life is more fun if you play games.”
At some point in your childhood, you and your friends went outside to play together for the last time and nobody knew it. So how about we bring those awesome games back? Designed by Xano Channel and 6 partner European Youth NGOs, this youth exchange will bring together 42 young people from different backgrounds and challenge them to help preserve and safeguard our European intangible cultural heritage by... you guest it, playing!
Traditional games represent an important part of the world’s recreational cultural heritage and are a symbol of the cultural diversity of our societies. They also provide a reliable framework for enjoyable play, as well as opportunities for creativity and are an efficient means for conveying values of solidarity, diversity, inclusiveness, cultural awareness and better mutual understanding at international level, acting as a bridge between different cultures and beliefs.

Aim and objectives:


The main aim of the Playfulness and Innovation in Youth project is to use traditional games as a tool for generating non-formal educational experiences meant to connect young people and help them overcome the negative emotional effects generated by the pandemic, as well as to preserve the intangible European cultural heritage in the form of traditional games.

Digital library

O1: To design together the European digital library “Folk Games 2.0” with more than 60 revived European folk games from all over the EU space and beyond dedicated to playful European citizens and education professionals by November 2022

Awareness

O2: To encourage more than 350 European young people to join an online movement and contribute to the effort of preserving the folk games by expanding and promoting the digital library “Folk Games 2.0” on all social media platforms

Local game tournaments

O3: To promote solidarity, emotional wellbeing, human connection and the preservation of the European cultural heritage by organizing 6 local game tournaments with European traditional games for 210 participants, during European Folk Games Day in October 2022

YOUTH EXCHANGE AGENDA:


IMPORTANT: Please take into consideration that is a draft schedule and that it might suffer changes based on the participants direct input, preferences, proposals or because of unexpected changes in the weather forecast during the mobility! Also, except for the intercultural evenings which are mandatory to attend, the other evening activities are optional - any suggestion for what we can do together as a group during the evening time is more than welcomed!

Day 0 - 19.09

  • Arrival of participants is expected on 19.09 during the afternoon.
  • Check Travel Section for more info!

Day 1 - 20.09

  • Get to know each other games
  • Teambuilding activity
  • Group principles
  • Intro into the YE
  • 8 key competences and Erasmus+
  • Daily reflection

Day 2 - 21.09

  • Teambuilding activities
  • Discovering Key-words & concepts
  • Youth and European cultural heritage
  • Daily reflection
  • Evening activities

Day 3 - 22.09

  • Romanian traditional games
  • Instructions writing session & recording of games demo
  • Daily reflection
  • Intercultural evening I

Day 4 - 23.09

  • Lithuanian traditional games
  • Instructions writing session & recording of games demo
  • Daily reflection
  • Intercultural evening II

Day 5 - 24.09

  • Valencia Scavenger Hunt
  • Daily reflection
  • Evening activities

Day 6 - 25.09

  • Spanish traditional games
  • Instructions writing session & recording of games demo
  • Daily reflection
  • Free night

Day 7 - 26.09

  • Portuguese traditional games
  • Instructions writing session & recording of games demo
  • Daily reflection
  • Intercultural evening III

Day 8 - 27.09

  • Greek & Czech traditional games
  • Instructions writing session & recording of games demo
  • Daily reflection
  • Evening activities

Day 9 - 28.09

  • Prototyping the European digital library “Folk Games 2.0”
  • Dissemination strategy
  • Final Evaluation of the project
  • Youthpass Activity
  • Goodbye party

Day 10 - 29.09

  • Departure of the participants is expected on 29.09 in the first part of the day.

ABOUT XANO CHANNEL ASSOCIATION (HOSTING ORGANISATION)

Imagine that you could go back to school, but instead of geometry and spelling, you could learn valuable skills that transform your work and life - like how to handle difficult conversations, solve problems through playful creative methods or build brick by brick your life-project.
We guide young people and qualify youth workers both vocationally and personally, both independent and in cooperation with other experts and mentors, by developing their know-how and methodology on 4 main areas: positive intelligence, talent management, creativity and entrepreneurship education.
During the learning process, the youth workers and youngsters discover that there is more than one path, that with customized training they can gain strength to embrace changes and appreciate small things that make them happy. Ultimately, they become conscious, determined and positive about their journey, and make a positive impact in their community.
Check more info:Our website: www.xano.esOur Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xano.Channel.AsociacionOur Instagram: www.instagram.com/xanochannel/

PARTNERS

Our partners in this learning journey are:

  • Xano Channel Association (Spain)

  • KOINONIKI ENSOMATOSI - ASTIKI MI KERDOSKOPIKI ETAIREIA (Greece)

  • APPIS Associação Paredes pela Inclusão Social (Portugal)

  • SDRUZHENIE WALK TOGETHER (Bulgaria)

  • Petrklíč help, z.s (Czech republic)

  • Asociatia Monomyths (Romania)

  • Tarptautinis bendradarbiavimo centras (Lithuania)

PARTICIPANTS PROFILE

Age: European Young People between 18-25 years old

Each national team will consist of 1 group leader (no age restriction) and 5 young people.

Experience: previous experience in the field of non-formal education or Erasmus+ in not required

Language: basic English level is required

Willingness to disseminate the project and Erasmus+ Programme on your social media accounts and through local workshops after you return home to your local community!

Procedure: Complete the participant application form: https://forms.gle/iMccUYwJmbMBHa8LA by July 15th, 2022. After the selection of the participants, if you receive a positive answer from your sending organization, please don't book the tickets for flights/train/bus (economy class) until a later agreed date, when we can confirm you the fact that the national regulations allow us to organize the mobility without any restrictions (as it is now).

If your selection and attendance is confirmed, please join our Facebook private group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1903037389893307

PREPARATION OF PARTICIPANTS & PRE-ASSIGNMENTS

1) Facilitation of activitiesIn order to achieve the main aim of the project, a special working method will be applied during the project, as stated in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide regarding mobilities for young people. In this sense, each national team, with continuous support from the hosting organisation, will take up the role of the facilitator for a number of activities. This role includes responsibility for:● Design of the activity prior to the project (basic structure, objectives and outcomes). In our case, each national team will be in charge of thoroughly preparing their own traditional games beforehand!● Organization of the activity prior to the project (separation in groups, rules, deliverables, preparation of materials needed - Xano Channel Association will be in charge of buying these materials)● Coordination/Facilitation of the activity during the project (assuming active role as facilitators, explaining the activity to the rest of participants, time-management etc.)

2) Intercultural eveningsWe will have traditional evenings during the project through which you will have the chance to represent your country's culture. Unfortunately, we don’t have budget to reimburse you the expenses made for the things that you are bringing, but try to be creative and funny! You can bring typical costumes, ornaments, leaflets, posters, flyers, food, sweets, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks… and so on! You can show videos, photos, sing and dance traditional dances from your countries! We are counting on you to make these evenings as interesting as possible and promise to help you in any way that we can!
3) Mind the weatherThe weather at the end of September is more or less summer in Spain. The temperature in September is usually around 18-28° Celsius but during the night it's cold. So please make sure you bring suitable clothes for this type of weather and anything else you might think you need.

ACOMMODATION - CAMPING BUNGALOW PARK L'ALBUFERA

Check-in: September 19th 2022, 18:00

Check-out: September 29th 2022, 10:00

Address: Carrera del Riu, 556, 46012 Valencia

Website: https://www.bungalowsalbufera.com/

How to arrive to the venue: We will be waiting for you at the camping. The best way to arrive is to take the metro line 3 or 5 from Valencia's Airport to the stop "Colón". You walk straight and take a direct bus form "Porta del Mar" stop to "Pinars (par) - El saler". Then you walk a little bit and you will arrive to the camping.

The best you can do is use google maps. You need to write:

From: Aeropuerto València-Manises, 46940, Valencia

To: camping bungalow park albufera, Carrera del Riu, 556, 46012 Valencia

Accommodation conditions:

Participants will stay in double and triple rooms, in a camping on the bank of L'albufera, with generous outdoor space and access to the beach. Each bungalow has its own bathroom, a fridge, a TV and air conditioner. Smoking is forbidden in the rooms and in the common spaces inside the buildings. Smokers can use the spaces outside the buildings. Free Wi-Fi will be available in the activity room and the bar.

Food: During this Youth Exchange, each national team will have to cook for themselves, in their Bungalow(s), all the meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), every day. You will have a daily budget and we will go for the groceries together. This is a teamwork effort, from the beginning until the end of the project. We work together, we have fun together!

What to bring: reusable water bottle so we can cut down as much as possible the plastic waste, cosmetics (shampoo, shower gel etc.), flip flops, beach towels, sunscreen, bathing suit (and anything else you might want to bring to the beach - usually the weather in September in Valencia is around 25°). Also, given the close proximity to L'albufera bring your own mosquito repellent spray or lotion is very important. There is a supermarket 1km away form the accomodation.

IMPORTANT: For those who want to explore Valencia or any other parts of Spain, please consider coming 2 days before the mobility or staying 2 days longer after, on your own expenses. During the project we will have only one day trip outside of the camping, to the city of Valencia.

TRANSPORTATION FROM AIRPORT TO THE VENUE

We will be waiting for you at the camping. The best way to arrive is to take the metro line 3 or 5 from Valencia's Airport to the stop "Colón". You walk straight and take a direct bus form "Porta del Mar" stop to "Pinars (par) - El saler". Then you walk a little bit and you will arrive to the camping.

The best you can do is use google maps. You need to write:

From: Aeropuerto València-Manises, 46940, Valencia

To: camping bungalow park albufera, Carrera del Riu, 556, 46012 ValenciaPlease keep the receipt for reimbursement and ask for a stamp on it.
Cost of the tickets:Metro ticket– 4,90€Bus – 1,50€
More info about local transportation: https://www.emtvalencia.es/ciudadano/images/stories/pdf/Ultima_Hora/Ateraciones/2014/12_Diciembre/Folleto_Turistic_L25.pdf

*We do not cover taxi or private car (such as Uber or similar) transport costs from Valencia Airport to the venue. Also, please keep in mind that we strongly recommend you to avoid cabs from airport.

TRAVEL CONDITIONS AND REIMBURSMENT

The international transportation costs will be reimbursed as following:
Romania – 360 EURGreece - 360 EURLithuania - 360 EURBulgaria – 360 EURPortugal – 275 EURCzech republic - 275 EUR

Reimbursement Procedure


The travel costs will be reimbursed in the partner organisation account ONLY AFTER the mobility and dissemination activities (local game tournaments) will be made by the participants, based on the proof documents (photos, videos) provided by them. This rule is integrated in Erasmus+ guide and our contract with our National Agency.
To speed up the reimbursement process, as soon as participants book their flights, send to sandra.ubeda.1995@ gmail.com the following documents: Invoice, Proof of payment (Bank extras), tickets with the email subject: Playfulness_Name_Organisation_Country and the boarding passes!
Although we can’t reimburse you the cost of health insurances, having one that is valid during all period of the mobility is mandatory! Spain is an EU member state, so an insurance for travelling here should be cheap and easy to make. If you have a European Health Card, please bring it with you, it is valid in our hospital system and can replace a regular insurance.

COVID-19 SAFETY RULES

Xano Channel will follow, during the whole duration of the youth exchange, the Health Protocol regarding the security and protection of all the participants and staff. The protection and security measures will be in accordance with the legislation in force at the time of the face-to-face activity, always considering the indications of the Spain Ministry of Health, indications of accommodation and transport (international and national).

Previous to the project:

As a European travel rule, the travel of any participant who presents Covid-19 symptoms prior to the trip to Spain is strictly forbidden. Each participant has the responsibility to check before the departure the rules and restrictions imposed for their country by the Spanish Ministry of Healthy.

Health Insurance

The young people selected to attend the international mobility acknowledge and agree to have a valid health insurance for the whole duration of the youth exchange.

The costs for PCR/antigen tests will not be reimbursed.

YOUTHPASS CERTIFICATE

All the young people attending the youth exchange are entitled to receive an international certificate that validates the collection of key-competencies, knowledge and attitudes acquired or improved during the mobility. The Youthpass certificate can be used during the learning process as a self-reflection tool where you explore the following 8 Key competencies:

1. Multilingual competence; 2. Personal, social and learning to learn competence; 3. Citizenship competence; 4. Entrepreneurship competence; 5. Competence in cultural awareness and expression; 6. Digital competence; 7. Mathematical competence and competence in science, technology, engineering (STEM); 8. Literacy competence.

Discover and read more about the Youthpass competences here !


Xano Team

M. Sonsoles Jiménez

Sandra Úbeda