“Rural Exchange: Supporting Youth Leaders” it was a training course under the Erasmus+ program that took place in Norway. It was organized by Shokkin Group Norge between 5.5.2017 and 13.5.2017 involving people from Cyprus, Estonia, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Spain.
The aim of this project was to promote youth exchanges as a tool for the development of rural areas and to activate young people through training youth leaders in order to initiate high quality youth exchange ideas tackling the topic of rural and natural areas.
During this project, we had the opportunity to discuss about the problems and difficulties that rural areas of each country face. We tried to find the routes of the problems and also solutions. Furthermore we learned about project writing and management and at the end of the training course every intercultural working group had a new project idea that may use in the future with the purpose to help rural areas.
Projects activities had included working groups, simulations, presentations, evaluation sessions, performance and energized exercises. Also we had the opportunity of a day trip around Trysil and we saw what is happening in this rural area and how citizens are trying to organize every year some events in this area.
During the intercultural night, we had the opportunity to experience many different cultures. Because every country present us their traditions, food and dances. It was very interesting because every participant shared with us their story and their country.
We came back home with many new experiences, skills and knowledge. After this program we believe that writing our own project is not impossible and we are motivated to help the rural areas where we live. Also we made many new friends, partners and we had a lot of fun! We are glad that we had this opportunity!
Thanks to PlanBe, Plan It, Be It for this experience!!
