🇮🇹 "Youth Water Guardians" / 13-21.05.2024 - Messina, Italy
top of page

🇮🇹 "Youth Water Guardians" / 13-21.05.2024 - Messina, Italy

Updated: Feb 15

YE "Youth Water Guardians"

📆 13-21.05.2024

📍 Messina, Italy

🔎 Main Objectives:

Enhance understanding of water pollution, including its causes, reduction strategies, and its environmental and economic effects; Deepen knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals; Intercultural Exchange.

👥 6 Participants (18-25yo) + 1GL (18+)

🇪🇺 Partner Countries: Italy, Poland, N. Macedonia, Lithuania, Greece, Romania

✈️ Travel reimbursement max 275€ (Check the info pack)

💶 Food and accommodation are 100% covered by the hosting organization -

📧 Deadline for selection: 1st of March 2024

ℹ️ Application form: https://bit.ly/3U9VNfS


📩 Please note that only selected participants will receive official communication regarding their selection for the youth exchange. 🌟 Keep an eye on your inbox for this exciting news about joining us on this adventure in Italy! 🇮🇹


Follow us - Before Applying

______________________________





ℹ️ Youth Water Guardians" Project Information Pack


Welcome to the Youth Water Guardians project! This comprehensive guide is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about your upcoming youth exchange in S.Alessio Siculo (Messina), Italy. Here, we'll cover the project's objectives, your stay, travel arrangements, and more to ensure you're fully prepared for this exciting journey.


Table of Contents


Project Overview

The "Youth Water Guardians" project, inspired by the urgency of tackling water pollution, focuses on raising awareness about this global issue. It highlights the impact of pollution on health and the scarcity of drinkable water resources. The project involves participants from various European countries, each facing unique water pollution challenges. By exploring the causes and effects of water pollution, the project aims to educate about sustainable practices and motivate local and international communities to address these challenges, promoting responsible water usage and intercultural exchange through the Erasmus+ Programme.


Working Methods

The "Youth Water Guardians" youth exchange is built on engaging non-formal education techniques. 🌍✨ Participants will enjoy a variety of activities, from interactive presentations to creative workshops, all designed to foster active participation and peer learning. 🤝📚 Emphasis is placed on learning from each other's experiences and knowledge in a supportive environment, enhancing green and digital skills and fostering personal development through reflection and evaluation. 🎥🌟 Evenings will be filled with self-organized activities, providing a relaxed setting for further interaction and cultural exchange. 🎉🌙


Participant Profile

Diverse Participation: 🌍 42 participants from Italy, North Macedonia, Greece, Romania, Poland, and Lithuania (6 participants + 1 group leader per country).

Inclusive Mix: 🤝 The exchange welcomes students, young activists, NEETs, and at least 3 individuals facing geographical or economic challenges.

Age Range & Interests: Participants aged 18-25 with a keen interest in sustainability and intercultural exchange. 🌱🌐

Group Leadership: Each team 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; understanding and being understood is what counts! 🗣️🇬🇧

Commitment to Engagement: Participants are expected to be actively involved in follow-up and dissemination activities post-exchange. This involvement is crucial for sharing experiences and knowledge gained, and for furthering the project's impact. 📢🤝

 

The Location & Travel Arrangements 🏖️✈️


Accommodation 🏨

The project's venue is “Hotel Solemar” (https://www.hotelsolemar.net/) located in S.Alessio Siculo (Messina) right in front of the beach. 

The rooms will be internationally mixed and will host around 3-4 people (It depends on the availability of the hotel).

Food will be served in loco and it will consist of 3 meals (Italian Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) and coffee breaks which will be managed by the hosting organisation.


How to reach the venue 📍


Project Location / Destination (Hotel Solemar): 🗺️


OPTION 1 - Travel by Train from Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa to S. Alessio Siculo - Forza D'Agrò (DIrect Train)

To travel from Catania Airport Fontanarossa to Hotel Solemar in S. Alessio Siculo you should use the Train (You can check the schedule at https://www.trenitalia.com/)


As soon as you land at the Airport catch the shuttle bus to the Fontanarossa railway stop.

It’s 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.


Once arrive at Fontanarossa railway stop take the direct train to the station S. Alessio Siculo - Forza D'Agro' (When you plan your flights do it accordingly with the actual train schedule, most of the days these are the last trains you may catch)


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 for your accommodation and expenses*

*This applies if there are no easier, safer and cheaper options to reach the venue.


OPTION 2 - Travel by Train from Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa to S. Alessio Siculo (Change train in Catania Centrale)

If you are arriving 1-2 days before the official start of the project you should reach the the Fontanarossa railway stop from the Airport (as explained before) and catch a train to Catania Centrale (Train Station). Trains are available from early morning until late evening. Once at the Catania Centrale, you will need to catch a train to S. Alessio Siculo - Forza D’Agrò (Station).


The Hotel Solemar is within walking distance from S. Alessio Siculo - Forza D’Agrò Station.


IMPORTANT

Prepare your travel plan considering your outbound flight must arrive at Catania Airport by 6.00 PM, while the return flight must depart from Catania no earlier than 11.30 AM. If there are no similar options, we are gonna find a solution together.

This scheduling provides sufficient time to travel from the hotel to the airport using public transportation. We are gonna collect all your arrival and departure info in advance and prepare the best plan, which will fit all the group.

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 use only economy class, taxi is not covered.

YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO LEAVE PROJECT ONE DAY EARLY TO CATCH YOUR FLIGHT OR BUS. PLEASE 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 13th of May 2024

The departure date is the 21st of May 2024


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.


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,...) and of cost (invoices and receipts) is a requirement to get the reimbursement according to Erasmus+ rules.


The reimbursement process usually takes 60 days by the end of the project but depends even 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 COSTS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED ACCORDING TO ERASMUS+ RULES.

ONLY PRIORITY OPTIONS AVAILABLE WITH AIRLINE COMPANIES, WHICH ALLOW FOR ONBOARD LUGGAGE AND A PERSONAL ITEM, WILL BE REIMBURSED AS PART OF YOUR TRAVEL COSTS. 


PLEASE NOTE THAT LARGER LUGGAGE, SUCH AS CHECKED BAGS, WILL NOT BE COVERED FOR TRAVEL LOGISTICAL REASONS. HOWEVER, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE LUGGAGE ON BOARD WILL BE SUFFICIENT FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT. 


WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION IN ENSURING A SMOOTH AND EFFICIENT REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS. 


Budget and Documentation

Country

Travel Budget* (max/person)

Italy

23€

Poland

275€

North Macedonia

275€

Lithuania

275€

Greece

275€

Romania

275€

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.


Contribution*

Participation in this Youth Exchange foresees a contribution of 20€ which will cover the organisation of a trip to Taormina and the surroundings or a Boat Trip (It depends on the availability of these services). This extra activity will be arranged according to the activity schedule and weather conditions. This 20€ contribution will be deduced from the total personal travel expenses or collected in loco only in case this activity is organised.



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 book your tickets?

You can check the following links for cheap flights:

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, 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 Viber/WhatsApp)

Should you need any assistance, our project coordinator is just a message away.


Partners

🇮🇹 Italy: Be The Change Instagram | Facebook | Website

🇵🇱 Poland: Stowarzyszenie Impakt Instagram | Facebook | Website

🇲🇰 North Macedonia: EduArt Skopje Instagram | Facebook

🇱🇹 Lithuania: Tarptautinis bendradarbiavimo centras Instagram | Facebook

🇬🇷 Greece: YouthPath Instagram | Facebook | Website

🇷🇴 Romania: Asociatia Bradul, Muntele si Neagra Instagram | Facebook


🖨️ 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!

2,420 views
bottom of page