Be Free: Reconnection
Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
22 - 29 October 2024
Lecce (LE), Italy
About
"Establishing meaningful connections in the offline world."
The project is structured in two parts: Disconnection (May-June 2024), and Reconnection (October 2024).
We invite you to join Reconnection phase where we will learn to use social media safely and productively and make wise decisions about our online presence
BeFree - Disconnection
First Youth Exchange - disconnecting from technologies and creating meaningful connections
BeFree - Reconnection
Second Youth Exchange - implementing healthy digital usage practises and finding balance
Project Goals
* Increase digital literacy
* Establish a healthier and mindful relationship with social media
* Transform the relationship with technology
* Step out of the comfort zone
* Establish meaningful connections in the offline world
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18 to 24 years old
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enthusiastic about the disconnection from technology
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would like to share some ideas about mindful use of technology
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want to create live connections in the offline world
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open to doing communal work such as helping in the kitchen, some cleaning, etc.
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committed to participating in the project through all the phases (preparation, exchange program, follow-up activities)
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resident in one of participating countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Spain, or Portugal
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able to communicate in English
We are looking for participants, who:
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18+ years old
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excited about the project idea and objectives
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preferably have some background in working with youth
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enthusiastic, supportive, willing to take the initiative and encourage others
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ready to develop and deliver workshops for the group
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eager to improve facilitation skills
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able to freely communicate in English
You can apply as a Group Leader if you are:
Project Steps
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PREPARATION
Online meeting to establish a connection withing participants and address possible concerns. Establishing communication inside the national teams.
YOUTH EXCHANGE
Going together through various activities of the programme, including workshops.
Overcoming challenges and gaining awareness of mindful technology usage and digital well-being.
FOLLOW-UP
Keep in touch and share personal results and best practices for healthy technology usage. Creating meaningful actions in your country (workshops, seminars, meetings) to impact your community.
The Programme
Arrivals & Welcoming
22 October
Rebuilding connections
23 October
Disconnect &
Connect Well
24 October
Workshops Space
25 October
Mindfulness
26 October
Healthy life withOUT&withIN
27 October
Reconnection & conclusion
28 October
Departure in the morning
29 October
Open Disconnection
During the programme participants will have chance to practice their mindful usage of devices and online presence. We leave the space for Open Disconnection. It means that participants will have a choice in the beginning of each day to decide: if they want to limit their online presence, disconnect from their phones and discover themselves and their relationships with others.
Disconnection is a regular practice we implement during our projects, and participants of first edition experienced it fully as well. This time we keep the disconnection process "open" (by choice) and we will ensure a safe space for participants to be secure that disconnection will lead to positive results.
During this period, we will explore and practice mindful way to use digital gadgets, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. The goal of this phase is to find the balance between online and offline presence and rely on stimulating effect of real human interactions.
If you're fascinated by the idea of the project and ready to take the challenge, explore which practicalities lay behind beyond
Project Venue
During the youth exchange, participants will stay at LE SORGENTI Centre which provides accommodation in rooms for 2, 3, or 4 people. The rooms for working sessions are also based inside the complex.
Part of Le Sorgenti Centre serves as a recovery centre for people with addictions, for this reason, no alcohol is allowed on the territory of the facilities
The project is alcohol free, that means no alcohol is allowed in any of our venues. We believe in the power of human genuine connections and would like to give a space to enjoy ourselves without stimulating substances. Is not allowed to bring or store alcohol inside the venues where main activities of project are happening.
Travel costs, accommodation, food, and the programme itself are co-funded by the European Union through the ERASMUS+ program
To be entitled to reimbursement, we ask you to participate fully in the 3 steps of the project: preparation, dissemination and follow-up
Travel
The travel costs will be reimbursed for the amount shown in the original boarding passes, tickets, and invoices, up to the limits indicated in the chart below.
According to Erasmus+ regulations, participants must travel from their country of residence to the venue and back, no alternative routes are allowed. As well as no late arrivals or early departures
Amounts in the tabel below are the MAXIMUM amounts that will be reimbursed, all the costs exceeding these amounts should be covered by the participant
Arrival day - 22nd October
(arrive before 16:00 in Italy)
Departure day - 29th October
We will arrange the transfer early morning from venue to the city centre
Transfer will be provided by us between the train/bus station in Lecce and the venue. The cost of it (15 EUR) is already deducted from maximum travel budget
According to Erasmus+ regulation, you can start your travel up to 48h before arrival day, and arrive back to your country the latest 48h after departure day
Spain
345 €
Portugal
345 €
Greece
260 €
Bulgaria
260 €
Italy
23 €
Participation Fee
We ask you to contribute to the implementation of the project with a participation fee:
50 EUR for Italy; 40 EUR for Portugal, Spain and Greece; 30 EUR for Bulgaria
For us, as a non-profit organisation, your contribution gives support to maintain our activities and keep spreading well-being among youth
The amount of participation fee is calculated proportionally according to the average net wage of each country.
In case the participation fee represents a real obstacle to your participation, please let us know in the application form
3 meals per day + plus 2 coffee breaks will be offered to participants
The food during the project will be vegan / vegetarian.
We stand for the sustainable and mindful approach also when it comes to meals and believe that our participants will share our values and enjoy it with us
Food
As a group, we will be responsible for taking care of the space we're using. Participants will take part in simple duties (helping with coffee breaks, arranging and cleaning the dining area, cleaning the common spaces and their own rooms etc.)
It is an educational choice: we believe that it is relevant to learn to take care of our own needs as a group. In case you are searching for an experience where everything is served and cleaned by external personnel, this Youth Exchange is not suitable for you
Responsibilities
New Wellness Education - APS was founded in January 2020. We specialize in the education of youth and training of professionals with the main focus on mental and physical well-being, fostering at the same time the recognition and quality of youth work
Our Mission is to provide educational opportunities to youth and young professionals, supporting them in their process of growth, maximizing their psycho-physical well-being by offering learning opportunities connected to their educational and working environment having a positive impact on their local communities
Our Partners
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Our Partners
Our Team
Timothé Élie
Coordinator and facilitator from France. After ESC volunteering with New Wellness Education he started the path of youth worker being involved as a mentor, coordinator, facilitator and translator. Nowadays, experienced project coordinator and facilitator, with great experience in disconnection projects
Artis Kundrāts
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Youth Worker and non-formal educator/trainer from Latvia. He has years of experience in the field of youth as a volunteer, project coordinator, youth camp organizer and facilitator, young people mentor and educational workshop creator in different corners of Europe. His main interests are personal development, self-awareness and embodiment
