SolidAction: Solidarity Projects for Youth

• SolidAction guides youth towards solidarity projects.
• It is comprised of two phases.
• Phase 1 runs from March 14th to March 21st.
• Phase 2 runs from June 15th to June 22nd.
• Both phases take place in Kysak, Slovakia.
• Completion of both training courses is necessary as they complement one another, providing a comprehensive learning experience.
• The course aims to enable youth workers and coaches engaged in the European Solidarity Corps to mentor and support young people in designing, writing, and implementing solidarity projects.
• Participants will develop key skills in project development, supporting dialogue, and enhancing social impact among youth.
• It bridges the gap between ideas and action, equipping participants to guide young people in making their visions a reality.
• The application deadline is January 30th, 2025.

Objectives for Phase 1: Capacity Building for Youth Workers

• Participants will be provided with a thorough understanding of the European Solidarity Corps program, emphasizing how projects empower young people and contribute to community development.
• A coaching approach which introduces coaching-based techniques empowers youth workers to effectively guide and support young people in their initiatives.
• Abilities to lead group processes, promote collaboration, and inspire proactive engagement among young people are strengthened.
• Tools and guidance equip participants to design individual or team action plans for initiating projects in their local contexts.

Middle Phase Between Phase 1 and Phase 2

• Participants apply coaching and facilitation techniques in their communities by working with young people to initiate, design, and begin implementing projects.

Objectives for Phase 2: Reflection and Advancement

• Participants will find a place to share experiences, successes, and challenges from the middle phase to encourage learning and insight between peers.
• Workshops address common challenges in projects and adapt strategies to overcome them.
• Coaching methodologies are introduced to further empower young people and enhance the effectiveness of their initiatives.
• Participants will be supported in designing strategies for sustaining the impact of their projects and scaling them to create broader community benefits.
• More info on projects within the framework of the European Solidarity Corps can be found on the Europa.eu platform.

Participant Profile

• This activity suits youth work and education practitioners.
• This includes active youth workers, trainers, NGO workers, young leaders, volunteers working with youth, or teachers.
• Participants must be over 18, able to follow the training course, and work in English.
• Apply if there is an opportunity to organize a workshop or activity during the middle phase with the young people you work with.
• This practical application is key to the training course.

Accommodation

• Accommodation will be at Skola v prirode Kysak.
• The training course will begin with dinner at 19:30 and end with breakfast-to-go.
• The venue is approximately 30 minutes on foot from the train station.
• Funding from the Erasmus+ program via the Slovak National Agency covers costs for food, accommodation, and course materials.

Extra Days Before and After Program

• Participants can arrive up to two days early or stay up to two days longer provided that total extra days outside of programme activities do not exceed three days.
• Costs for accommodation or other expenses during extra time will be the participant's responsibility.
• Wi-Fi might be available, but reliability cannot be guaranteed.
• Participants will share rooms with several beds and private bathrooms.
• Bring comfortable, warm clothing as temperatures can fluctuate.
• Sllippers, towels, and toiletries for the shower are also recommended.

Impact, dissemination & follow up

• Two follow-up activities need completion to receive travel reimbursement.
• Share and promote the project and its outcomes on social media platforms to raise awareness and engage a broader audience.
• Enhance the project's impact by organizing an educational workshop for a minimum of six participants, which should be conducted between Phase 1 and Phase 2.
• Follow-up travel reimbursement conditions.

Travel reimbursement

• International travel costs reimbursed up to a certain amount based on distance from residence to the training venue (verified by the Erasmus+ distance calculator).
• You need to cover any costs exceeding these amounts.
• 10- 99 km results in €28 reimbursement.
• 100 - 499 km results in €211 reimbursement.
• 500 - 1,999 km results in €309 reimbursement.
• 2,000 - 2,999 km results in €395 reimbursement.
• 3,000 - 3,999 km results in €580 reimbursement.
• Only public transport, 2nd class fares will be reimbursed (no taxis or private cars).
• Original travel documents, tickets, boarding passes, and invoices, are required to reimburse travel costs.
• Reimbursement occurs after receiving all original travel documents and proof of follow-up activities (photos and short report).
• Flight tickets reimbursed only with boarding passes.
• Save the boarding pass if using a mobile app for check-in.

Travel arrangements

• Vienna (Austria), Budapest (Hungary), and Bratislava (Slovakia) are accessible by flight.
• Vienna airport, bus to Bratislava (approx. 50 min).
• Budapest airport, bus or train to Košice.
• Bratislava airport or Košice train station, train to Kysak.

Further Information

• Comprehensive travel health, accident and liability insurance coverage is necessary for your stay in the Slovak Republic, but insurance costs are not reimbursed, even if included in plane tickets.
• The participant is responsible for any financial damage to the hotel, other participants, or the hosting organization.
• Only tickets approved before the activity by the hosting organization will be reimbursed.
• Full participation is mandatory to be eligible for travel reimbursement, and ensure you travel to/from Kysak between the given dates.
• EduEra is a Slovak non-governmental organization focusing on empowering young people, educators, and youth workers through innovative educational initiatives.
• EduEra focuses on educational that foster creativity, inclusion, and personal growth with emphasis on collaboration, sustainability, and community engagement.

SolidAction guides youth toward solidarity projects in Kysak, Slovakia, in two phases. It equips youth workers and coaches with skills to mentor young people in designing and implementing solidarity projects. Participants will develop skills in project development, supporting dialogue, and enhancing social impact among youth.