10 Scots aged 16-30 will have the chance to go on a free trip to Cyprus with EPIC as the organisation is part of a youth exchange project which recently was granted EU funding through the Erasmus+ programme.
The project, titled CY.B.RU.S., refers to the four participating countries – Cyprus, Belgium, Russia and Scotland. They have been selected by the Cypriot lead partner Youth Dynamics Group on the basis that the countries are all in the same UEFA 2020 Euro Qualifiers group. In addition to EPIC from Scotland and Youth Dynamics Group from Cyprus, the groups ASBL Connections and In Change will participate in the project from Belgium and Russia respectively.
The aim of the project is to preserve and promote the folk culture of the different countries, as well as to raise awareness about other European nations, learn about their origins and thus to fight against harming prejudices. This will be done through a youth exchange which will take place in the Cypriot mountain village of Agros from 15 to 23 November. 10 young people aged 16-30 from each participating country will take part in the youth exchange.
EPIC is now looking for 10 Scots in this age group who can participate in the youth exchange. This will be a unique opportunity to meet a range of interesting young people from across Europe and get a free trip to sunny Cyprus for more than a week! All food, travel and accommodation are covered by the Erasmus+ grant. Participants will only need to pay an £18 participation fee to cover organisational costs.
The participants will have a range of fun activities to look forward to during their stay in Cyprus. There will be lectures, team games, workshops and discussions about the cultures in Europe, quizzes, map building, sport games, round table, presentation of traditional stories and outdoor activities. There will also be a special day about mixing cultures and combining people from different backgrounds. As well as this, there will be intercultural nights where all the partner groups will present their countries, their culture, traditional foods, drinks, music and dances. Finally, some of the participating countries will play each other in the Euro Qualifiers during the exchange so there will also be screenings of these games which the participants will watch together.
The lead partner Youth Dynamics Group hopes the youth exchange will help to change the attitudes and behaviours of young people towards diversity and discrimination and encourage adults to recognise the value of young people’s contribution to society at local, national and international level.
“The main theme is to show colourfulness and the multiculturalism of European countries. Through the exchange, the participants will understand that their differences are an enrichment for all of them, and that all are part of the common European identity,” the organisation has stated.
EPIC is very excited to be part of this project and is certain the youth exchange will be a great learning experience for everyone involved!
All of the spaces for this exchange are now full.