Modulul 2

Overview of Module 2
 

Module 2 will offer you learning about youth

exchange projects supported by the European
Union's Erasmus+: Youth (Links to an external
site.)Links to an external site. Programme.

Learning Objectives

 Learn knowledge of the formal and quality requirements for youth exchanges
 Develop understanding of youth exchanges and how to set up a youth exchange
project
 Practice communication and networking with potential partners
 Contribute to discussions with your ideas for partnerships and sustainable impact
 

Topics Addressed

 Youth exchanges in brief

 Formal requirements for exchange projects
 Establishing youth exchange group and partnership
 Youth exchange examples
 Design of a youth exchange programme
 Sustainable impact of exchange projects
 Recognising learning in youth exchanges
 Cooperation with partner countries
 

Learning Activities

 10 content sessions
 9 animated videos
 4 video examples of projects
 2 practice quizzes
 3 discussions
 1 document to download
 

Recognition of achievements
Successful completion of this module is required to unlock the special MOOC Erasmus+
Youth Exchanges badge. This module is optional to qualify for Youthpass (Links to an
external site.)Links to an external site. Certificate.

 
Session 2.1. Discover What a Youth Exchange is

An international youth exchange is a partnership between two or more youth groups of equal size,
across national boundaries, involving young people within defined age groups to exchange their
views, ideas, perspectives, attitudes and to learn to work together and become enriched by their
differences.
Source: International Youth Exchange Guide (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
by Leargas

transcripts-01.png Transcript of this video is available here (Links to an external site.)Links to an

external site.

help 1noun_13494 resized.png If you have questions related to your learning at this course, then
Ask for Help

conversation icon-01.png If you want to search for project partners, visit Partner Search
Session 2.1 Discover What a Youth Exchange is

Video: https://youtu.be/myhRLRrV8Io
From MOOC about Erasmus+ Funding Opportunities for Youth:
http://www.salto-youth.net/rc/participation/mooc-erasmusplus/
An international youth exchange is a partnership between two or more youth groups of equal size,
across national boundaries, involving young people within defined age groups to exchange their
views, ideas, perspectives, attitudes and to learn to work together and become enriched by their
differences.

A youth exchange is based on the needs of young people and is built up with their active
involvement. A well-organised youth exchange project involves young people from the planning
and preparation phase. It offers support for their active role in carrying out activities during the
exchange meeting and empowers them to use and disseminate the results during the follow-up
phase.

During a youth exchange, you can work with young people to promote their personal development,
self-awareness and self-confidence. You can use a youth exchange as a means of enhancing
teamwork, which results in a sense of achievement.

A youth exchange is a way of broadening horizons, facilitating the learning of new skills and
raising awareness of new possibilities. You can use it to promote tolerance and understanding and
challenge prejudices.

A youth exchange is a mechanism that develops relationships within the group, the local
community and beyond. It helps young people to learn about themselves, their history, culture and
country.

Youth exchanges offer opportunities for young people to:

develop competences, such as communication in foreign languages, social and civic competences,
European awareness, taking initiative and responsibility
become aware of socially relevant topic
discover new cultures, habits and lifestyles of young people from Europe and beyond
strengthen values like solidarity, democracy, friendship.

The learning process in youth exchanges is triggered by methods of non-formal education such as
workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, simulations, outdoor activities. It is expected that
learning and achievements from youth exchanges will be shared with a wider community after
groups return to their home countries.

Youth exchanges are organised to create new learning opportunities together with young people, to
empower them for action and change, develop their social and personal competences, bring Europe
closer to the lives of young people and make an impact on local communities.

Source: International Youth Exchange Guide by Leargas

Session 2.2. Learn the Rules of Youth Exchange 'Game'

Youth exchanges have specific formal criteria which must be followed. The following image
provides with an overview of a typical project time-line and indicates formal criteria.
Erasmusplus Youth Exchange Timeline 2018-01.png

noun_89663-01.png Source: remix visual from the image by Aktiv Ungdom

Youth exchange projects have specific starting and finishing dates which must fall within 3 to 24
months time period. The youth exchange activity programme, when all participating groups come
together, may last from 5 to 21 days, excluding travel days.

Project starting dates dictate the application deadline - the final time by which the application form
for funding must be submitted. Usually there three deadlines to apply and exact date is changing
every year, hence check the Programme guide or your National Agency website for specific date.

Middle of the first week in February for projects starting between 1 May and 30 September of the
same year;
Middle of the last week in April for projects starting between 1 August and 31 December of the
same year;
Middle of the first week in October for projects starting between 1 January and 31 May of the
following year.
At the end of each year, the European Commission announces specific dates for the application
deadlines for the following year.

Now let’s look at the numbers. A youth exchange may involve from 16 to 60 participants plus 1-2
group leaders from each country, depending on the number of participants in the group. Minimum
numbers of 4 participants per country must be kept in order to be eligible for funding. Group leaders
are counted on top of the numbers of young people participating in a youth exchange

There are also age restrictions which apply to participants of youth exchanges. Participants should
be from 13 to 30 years old. Age limits do not apply to group leaders.

Finally, but most importantly a youth exchange project must involve at least two youth groups
coming from different countries eligible (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. for
funding from Erasmus+: Youth Programme.

Youth exchanges are open for organisations based in Partner and Programme countries, partnering
the EU (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. At the end of this module you can watch
video which highlights cooperation aspects important when organising youth exchanges with
Partner countries.

noun_89663-01.png Source: Erasmus+ Programme Guide (Links to an external site.)Links to an

external site. by European Commission

help 1noun_13494 resized.png If you have questions related to your learning at this course, then
Ask for Help

conversation icon-01.png If you want to search for project partners, visit Partner Search

Session 2.8. See Youth Exchanges in Action

Youth Exchanges allow groups of young people from different countries to meet and live together
for up to 21 days. During a Youth Exchange, participants jointly carry out a work programme (a
mix of workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, simulations, outdoor activities, etc.) designed and
prepared by them before the exchange.

Remember that the following activities are not eligible for grants under Youth Exchanges:

Academic study trips

Exchange activities which aim to make financial profit
Exchange activities which can be considered as tourism
Participation in festivals
Holiday travel
Performance tours

Watch the following videos to see youth exchanges in action.

Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges

noun_89663-01.png Source: European Commission

Youth Exchange "Eco4Evo"

Click on subtitles button to see English subtitles

noun_89663-01.png Source: Vilnius Waldorf School (Links to an external site.)Links to an

external site.

Youth Exchange 'Creative Recycling'

noun_89663-01.png Source: Volunteers blog (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. of

Association for Initiatives and Cooperation 'Yard'

Youth Exchange 'This Is Who We Are'

noun_89663-01.png Source: Projects: Past & Presen (Links to an external site.)Links to an external
site.t by Crooked House Theatre

Youth Exchange 'Handcrafting Our Future'

noun_89663-01.png Source: "Handcrafting our Future" Halle 2012 (Links to an external site.)Links
to an external site. from GOEUROPE LKJ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. on
Vimeo (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

help 1noun_13494 resized.png If you have questions related to your learning at this course, then
Ask for Help

conversation icon-01.png If you want to search for project partners, visit Partner Search