“De l’informational’accompagnement pour la mobilite européenne des jeunes ruraux”

FOL 36

January 01, 2016 until October 30, 2016

Program: ERASMUS+
Project leader: FOL 36
Duration: 01/01/2016 – 30/10/2016
Project Budget: 6.602,00 €

The main objective of the project was to exchange experiences and knowledge on working with young people living in rural areas and encouraging their mobility. As part of the project, the Agency for Rural Development of the County of Zadar (AGRRA) hosted a study visit of the French delegation from March 28 to April 3, 2016. Participants of the study visit were the staff of 9 different French institutions (members of the FOL 36 Association) which work with young people and inform them about their rights and opportunities (education, business, vocational training, health, culture, sports and other activities) in the European Union. During their five-day stay in Zadar County, we introduced our colleagues from France to some of our most important associations and institutions working with young people and exchanged good work practice and experiences.

The first day of the study visit started at the premises of AGRRA where the activities and projects of the Agency were presented, after which the participants of the study tour also visited the Zadar County where an overview of the projects of the County and the opportunities offered to young people were presented. On the first day of our stay, as part of the Open Day for Students organized by Europe Direct Zadar, we organized a meeting with students from Zadar, where we discussed the experiences and expectations of our students about education, European mobility and the possibilities of future employment.

The second day the French delegation spent in the area of the City of Zadar. All the associations active in various areas of youth life were visited: the association "Mala Filozofija “ (Small Philosophy") dealing with informal education with the aim of developing critical and creative thinking in children, youth and adults; the association "Eko Zadar", which is active in the field of promotion of ecological agriculture and the "Cinaz" association, which aims to help and encourage extra-curricular activities of children and young people with non-institutional activities of education and training.

The third day. Given that the FOL36 Association is made up of organizations with different affinities, among which are the promotion of nature protection among young people, there was the opportunity to visit the Vransko Lake Nature Park, Mašković Han in Vrana and other landmarks such as the Templar Temple, caves, etc. After the visit The Nature Park, the Delegation spent several pleasant and colorful hours on the farms of the Mas-Vin agricultural cooperative, after which they headed to Šibenik where a presentation and workshop with the association "Youth in the EU" was held.

The fourth day. On Friday April 01, Biograd na moru was visited where a great job was presented which was performed by the LAG Laura with an emphasis on their projects with young people such as Gnalić, Gastro Rural Art etc.

In the afternoon, the Delegation had the opportunity to meet the great team in Benkovac, a member of the association "Vlajter Ego", chaired by a very wise and nice Dunja, famous for her alternative music festival held in Benkovac "Vlajternativa". Very pleasant and approachable hosts presented their work and their city, in the words of the French Delegation, in a very impressive way. They expressed the desire to bring their youngsters to Benkovac and show them by using as an example, the association "Vlajter Ego", how to use your heart when working for your town and the local community. The work of the association "Eko Zrmanja" was also presented in Benkovac thanks to the omnipresent and above all, active Ivan Matić.

At the end of the day, the "Intercultural Evening" was held in the youth hostel, where the Croatian, English and French language could all be heard in one place and French and Croatian wines, French cheeses and Croatian brandies, as well as other domestic products by Croatian and French farmers could all be tasted.

The fifth day was used for team building on the impressive Zrmanja,the hidden beauty. After rafting on Zrmanja, the monastery on Krupa was visited, near which another workshop was held and the impressions of the entire study trip were combined.

The study visit was completed by the agreement on future cooperation between AGRRA and FOL36, as well as other organizations that were visited during this study trip. The brilliant networking opportunity that our county's organizations have had throughout this project has been fully utilized and laid the foundations for future co-operation and preparation of new projects.