YE "Peacemakers"
📆 22nd-30th May 2025📍 Furnari (Messina), Sicily, Italy
🔎 Main Objectives:
Inspire Peaceful Leadership: Engage young people in non-formal educational activities to build leadership skills and foster their roles as peacemakers.
Enhance Intercultural Communication: Encourage effective dialogue and collaboration across diverse cultures through creative, interactive methods.
Promote Creative Expression for Social Change: Utilize artistic workshops, visual storytelling, and collaborative activities to reflect on peace, inclusion, and personal growth.
👥 Participants:
Target Age: 18-25 years old
Format: 5 Participants per country + 1 Group Leader (18+ years old)
Priority: 3 opportunities per team for participants with fewer opportunities
🇪🇺 Partner Countries: Italy, Türkiye, Serbia, Poland, Greece, Estonia
✈️ Travel Reimbursement: (Check the info pack)
💶 Food and Accommodation: 100% covered by the hosting organization
📧 Deadline for Selection: 25th March 2025
ℹ️ Application Form: https://bit.ly/40YvBGN
📩 Please note that only selected participants will receive official communication regarding their selection for the youth exchange. 🌟 Each Partner organisation may use as well another form for the selection and apply their organisational policies 👁️ Keep an eye on your inbox for this exciting news about joining us on this adventure in Italy! 🇮🇹
Follow us - Before Applying
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ℹ️ "Peacemakers" Project Information Pack
Welcome to the Peacemakers project! This comprehensive guide is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about your upcoming youth exchange in Furnari (Messina), Sicily, Italy. Here, you’ll find all the essential details, including the project overview, working methods, participant profile, venue and travel arrangements, reimbursement guidelines, project preparation, health & travel insurance, and contact information.
Table of Contents 📖
🌍 Project Overview
"Peacemakers" aims to empower young people to become peacebuilders and social changemakers ✌️🌏. In response to growing social tensions, discrimination, and polarization, this project provides young leaders with the tools to foster peaceful coexistence through creative expression, intercultural dialogue, and leadership development.
Through non-formal education, artistic workshops, and interactive storytelling, participants will explore peace beyond the absence of conflict, understanding it as social balance, personal well-being, and constructive dialogue. The project encourages youth participation in peacebuilding, inclusion, and diversity efforts across Europe.
💡 Working Methods
Our youth exchange is designed using interactive, non-formal education techniques 🎓✨. Expect a dynamic mix of:
🗣️ Group Discussions & Brainstorming – Share perspectives on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and social harmony.
🎭 Creative & Artistic Workshops – Engage in visual storytelling, photography, video creation, and artistic expression for social impact.
🔍 Practical Training Sessions – Develop leadership, intercultural communication, and conflict-resolution skills through hands-on activities.
🎨 Mandala Creation & Reflection Activities – Learn mindfulness and self-expression through creative practices.
🌍 Intercultural Evenings – Experience self-organized cultural events where each team shares their traditions, music, and cuisine. 🍽️🎶
📢 Public Showcase & Dissemination – Present your artistic peace messages through a public exhibition and share them in your local communities post-project.
👥 Participant Profile
🌍 Diverse Participation: 36 people from Italy, Türkiye, Serbia, Poland, Greece, and Estonia (5 participants per country, including 3 participants with fewer opportunities, plus 1 group leader).
🤝 Inclusive Mix: The exchange welcomes students, youth workers, activists, NEETs, and at least 3 individuals per team who face social, geographical, or economic barriers.
🎭 Age Range & Interests: Participants are aged 18-25 and share a strong passion for peacebuilding, intercultural exchange, creative expression, and social change.
👤 Group Leadership: Each team is led by an experienced youth worker, with no age limit for group leaders.
🗣️ Language: The working language is English, don’t worry about perfect fluency, the focus is on communication and mutual understanding!
📢 Commitment to Engagement: Participants are expected to be active and positive, contributing to all activities during the exchange and participating in dissemination and follow-up initiatives after returning home.
🏖️ The Location & Travel Arrangements
🏨 Accommodation
The project's venue is Tindari Village Camping (https://www.tindarivillage.com/), located in the charming village of Bazia/Furnari on the north coast of Messina 🌊🌞.
Rooms & Capacity:The rooms are designed to host around 3-4 people (mixed by nationality and divided by gender), depending on venue availability. 🛏️🌍
Meals & Refreshments:Enjoy 3 delicious meals a day (Italian Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) 🍽️ along with coffee breaks ☕, all provided on-site by the hosting organization.
Kitchen Facilities:Each apartment features an equipped kitchen in the balconies, perfect for preparing your own snacks or meals during intercultural evenings. 🍳🥗
Amenities Provided:At Tindari Village, you will be provided with blankets and towels 🛌. Please note that personal care items such as a hair dryer, soap, shower gel, and shampoo are not supplied 🚫🧴.
Laundry Facilities:For those traveling light, there is a coin-operated washing machine available on-site (4€ per coin). If you choose to travel with just a backpack 🎒, we will cover the cost of one coin to help you wash your clothes.
Convenience:The accommodation is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from the nearest supermarket 🛒, perfect for picking up any additional essentials you might need.
📍 How to reach the venue
🗺️ Project Location / Destination (Tindari Village Camping):
OPTION 1 - Travel from Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa
From the CT Airport to Messina (Train/Bus): Upon landing at Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa, take a train or bus to Messina Central Station. You can check the schedule at https://www.trenitalia.com/ (Train) or https://www.saisautolinee.it/ (Bus). *The airport train station is about 600 metres from the Catania airport terminal. The shuttle is free and runs every 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can also reach the station on foot, following the pedestrian path. Otherwise, the bus station is outside the arrivals.
From Messina Centrale to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari (Train): From Messina Central Station, board a train to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari Station. (Check schedules at www.trenitalia.com.) *The last train to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari Station is at 21.00.
Pickup from Train Station to Tindari Village (Car): Once you arrive at Novara-Montalbano-Furnari Station, we are gonna pick you up by car asap. (It's crucial you communicate your travel information to the Project Coordinator in order we can arrange a smooth logistics experience.
*Check-in at Tindari Village is scheduled after 3:00 PM. For instance, if you catch a train that departs from Messina Centrale around 2:37 PM and arrives at Novara-Montalbano-Furnari around 3:45 PM, you will be perfectly timed. If you arrive earlier, please plan to wait for the scheduled pickup by the city or you may reach the venue by walking, but it's around 3KM.
OPTION 2 - Travel from Palermo Aeroporto / Punta Raisi Station
From the Airport Punta Raisi Train Station to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari (Train): Upon landing at Palermo Aeroporto, proceed to the nearby Punta Raisi Station. This station is conveniently located adjacent to the arrivals area. Board a train from Punta Raisi Station to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari Station. It will be not a direct train and most likely it will involves 2 changes (The first one at Termini Imerese and the second one at Patti-S. Piero Patti). (Check schedules at www.trenitalia.com.) *The last train from Airport to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari Station is at 17.40.
Pickup from Train Station to Tindari Village (Car): (See above)
⚠️ IMPORTANT ‼️
✈️ OPTION 1 (ARRIVAL FROM CATANIA): When you plan your flights, consider your arrival flight must arrive at Catania Airport by MAX 6.00 PM ⏳ (We suggest earlier), while the return flight must depart from Catania no earlier than 11.30 AM ⏰ (We suggest later).
🚆 The last train from Messina Centrale to Novara-Montalbano Furnari is at 21.00
🚆 The first train from Novara-Montalbano Furnari to Messina Centrale is at 5.13 AM
✈️ OPTION 2 (ARRIVAL FROM PALERMO): When you plan your flights, consider your arrival flight must arrive at Palermo Airport by MAX 4.00 PM ⏳ (We suggest earlier), while the return flight must depart from Palermo no earlier than 12.00 PM ⏰ (We suggest later).
🚆 The last train from Palermo Centrale to Novara-Montalbano Furnari is at 18.33
🚆 The first train from Novara-Montalbano Furnari to Palermo is at 6.34 AM
🕒 This scheduling provides sufficient time to travel from the hotel to the airport using public transportation. We will collect all your arrival and departure info in advance and prepare the best pick-up plan 🚖 that fits the group.
💡 If you want to stay longer in Sicily, you can travel for a maximum of 2 days before and 2 days after the project. In this case, you need to cover your accommodation and expenses.
📌 This applies if there are no easier, safer, and cheaper options to reach the venue.
🛬 You can also travel from other airports like Reggio Calabria or arrive 1-2 days before directly from Catania Centrale or Palermo Centrale 🚆. The information is the same, and the travel plan has to be arranged according to the train schedule.
⚠️ YOUR TRAVEL PLAN MUST BE AGREED UPON WITH THE HOSTING ORGANIZATION 🏠, OTHERWISE, THE REFUND WILL NOT BE ADMISSIBLE ❌
💰 YOU HAVE TO PICK THE MOST ECONOMIC WAY TO REACH THE PROJECT LOCATION.
🚇 Please note that only public transport is subject to reimbursement. If you travel by airplane ✈️, only economy class is covered. Taxi 🚕 is NOT covered.
⛔ YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO LEAVE THE PROJECT ONE DAY EARLY TO CATCH YOUR FLIGHT OR BUS.
📅 BUY YOUR TICKETS ACCORDING TO THE PROJECT'S DATE.
💰Reimbursement & Travel Guidelines
What are the dates and what does the reimbursement cover?
The arrival date is the 22nd of May 2025
The departure date is the 30th of May 2025
If you want to stay more in Sicily you can travel for a maximum of 2 days before and 2 after the project, in this case, you need to cover your accommodation and expenses*
*This applies if there are no easier, safer and cheaper options to reach the venue.
⚠️ IMPORTANT ‼️
📌 You need to collect and keep all your physical and digital 🎟️ tickets. You will receive the reimbursement 💰 for all the routes related to reaching the venue of the project and going back home 🏠 (not for tourist purposes 🏖️).
Having proof of travel (boarding passes 🛫, tickets 🎫, etc.), and of cost (invoices 🧾 and receipts 📄) is a requirement to get the reimbursement according to Erasmus+ rules.
⏳ The reimbursement process usually takes 60 days after the end of the project but depends on participants or national agency duties.
📢 Another requirement for reimbursement is to take part actively in the DISSEMINATION of the results 📢 and the FOLLOW-UP activities.
❌ TRAVEL AGENCY AND OTHER EXTRA AMENITY COSTS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED ACCORDING TO ERASMUS+ RULES. ❌
🧳 PLEASE AVOID LARGE LUGGAGE, SUCH AS BIG CHECKED BAGS. They can complicate your trip by causing delays, missed connections , and difficulties during pickups 🚖 at the train station. We are confident that the priority luggage and small item on board 🎒 will be sufficient for the duration of the project.
🙏 WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION IN ENSURING A SMOOTH AND EFFICIENT TRIP. 🚀🌍
📝 Budget and Documentation 💶
Country | Travel Budget* (max/person) |
Italy | 25€ |
Turkiye | 309€ |
Estonia | 395€ |
Serbia | 309€ |
Greece | 309€ |
Poland | 309€ |
The cost given is a limit in total PER PERSON, for both ways.
TRAVEL WILL BE REIMBURSED ACCORDING TO THE REAL COST YOU SPENT, up to the amount given above per country (See the table above), but not more than that (which means that if you spend less, you will be reimbursed the money you spent or if you spend more, you will get up to limit)
EVERYTHING THAT WILL BE MORE THAN THE LIMIT WILL BE YOUR OWN COST.
🚗 Extra Cost*
In the calculation of the total trip cost, you should foresee 15€ which will cover, the organisation of the pick up from/to the train station. This extra cost (part of the journey) will sum to the total you already spent for the rest of the transportation tickets.
✨ Good Reasons to Travel Light
Quick and Efficient: Avoid the wait for baggage check-ins and collections, helping you catch flights and trains on time. 🛄⏱️
Easy Movement: Navigate new cities with ease and less baggage to carry. 🚶♂️🚶♀️🧳
Minimize Loss Risk: Keep all belongings with you, reducing the chance of losing them during transit. 🔒🎒
Budget and Eco-friendly: Lighter travel often aligns with more sustainable and cost-effective transport options like budget airlines. 💚💰✈️
🎫 Where to buy the tickets?
You can check the following links for cheap flights:
WIZZ AIR: https://wizzair.com
Ryanair: https://www.ryanair.com
Easy Jet: https://www.easyjet.com
You can use Flight Search Engines as https://www.skyscanner.net/ to find your route, but we highly suggest finally booking your tickets directly from the Airline Company to not have intermediaries.
🛠️ Project Preparation
Intercultural Evenings
Be Creative! 🎨 Participants are invited to design a vibrant and interactive intercultural evening. This is your stage to creatively showcase your country's culture. 🌟
What's Your Culture? Share your traditional foods 🍲, drinks 🍹, music 🎶, and unique cultural aspects.
Interactive Activities: Think about games 🎲, and educational activities related to your culture.
Activities
Morning/Afternoon Energizers! ⚡We'd love each group to prepare some fun energizers to uplift everyone's spirit and keep the energy high! 🏃♂️💃
🎒 What to Bring?
Essentials: Passport or ID 🛂, comfortable clothes 👕👖 for activities.
Beach Ready: Flip-flops and Swimming suit 🩳 (We are in front of the beach 🏖️🏊♂️ nearby).
Provided by Hotel: Towels (not for beach), bed sheets, small hairdryer, and personal care items 🧴.
For Intercultural Nights: Bring your favourite foods and beverages to share 🍽️🍾 (optional but fun!).
Other Must-Haves: Toothpaste, medicines 💊, and a positive attitude 😊.
Multimedia Work: Bring laptops 💻, digital cameras 📷 and tablets if you can. We have some cool multimedia activities planned! 📱🎥
🏥 Health & Travel Insurance 🏥
Ensure you have a valid European Health Insurance Card or private travel insurance. 🛡️
Health Alerts: Please inform us of any health risks, required medications, or special dietary needs 🍏🍞💊.
📞 Contact Information
Project Coordinator: 🌟 Emanuel Caristi
Phone: 📱 +393894768663 (Also on WhatsApp)
Should you need any assistance, our project coordinator is just a message away.
🌍 Partners
🇮🇹 Be The Change (Italy)
Instagram: http://instagram.com/bethechange_it/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeTheChangeNGO
🇹🇷 Diverse Together (Türkiye)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boyouteam/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boyouteam
🇷🇸 Open Educational Vibes (Serbia)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oev.ngo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oev.ngo
🇵🇱 Stowarzyszenie Europejski Instytut Rozwoju (Poland)
🇬🇷 YES (Young Educational Spirit) (Greece)
🇪🇪 E+ Akadeemia MTÜ (Estonia)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eacademyestonia1/
🖨️ Remember to save this info pack as a PDF! Just hit the print button to have a copy for easy reference throughout your journey. It's a great way to keep all this valuable information at your fingertips!
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