European Citizens’ Voluntary Service

Themes of the seminar: - Recognition of rights and responsibilities of European Citizens. - Define and identify the meanings of European citizenship with special focus on cultural, political, social and economic context. - Explore ways of active participation as citizens by European Voluntary Service. - Find partners and build solid and strong partnerships for sending and host EVS volunteers in order to foster their feelings and understandings of being European Citizens. The overall aim of the seminar is to train youth workers, youth leaders on supporting young people to get acquainted with the meanings of European citizenship culturally, politically, socially and economically. To foster recognition of young people’ rights and responsibilities as citizens locally and in European context through participating in European Voluntary Service. To build solid and strong partnerships among partner organisations and participants in order to send and host EVS volunteers as aimed at raising awareness on European citizenship of local community and young people as EVS volunteers. Learning objectives of the seminar are: - To get acquainted with the meanings of European citizenship culturally, politically, socially and economically; - To define rights and responsibilities of a European citizen; - To foster understanding the different ways of active participation through European Voluntary Service; - To use EVS as positive tool for promotion of rights and responsibilities of European citizens; - To create common EVS projects in order to raise awareness on European Citizenship of local community and young people as volunteers. The methodology of the partnership building seminar: The partnership building seminar will be based on non - formal education. It will consists of non – formal, informal and formal learning elements. It will be based on the needs and expectations of participants. It will be learner – centred and it has huge self – directed learning process. Self – assessment part will be provided and ensure several creative and participatory methods for participants. The experienced trainers’ team will provide several active methods and tools for participants in order to become active most of the time. Participants will work in individually, in pairs, in national and mixed pairs. Methods will be used: brainstorming, thought shower, creative writing, questioning, making interviews, montage, active listening, role plays, etc. The methodological flow of the partnership building seminar: - The cultural, political, social and economic context of European citizenship; - The rights and responsibilities of European citizens; - The meanings of European citizenship according to European Commission based on Youth in Action programme; - Project management of European Voluntary Service according to the proposals of Youth in Action Programme; - Partnership building activities and network building; - Develop EVS projects and activity agreements. Who can participate in the seminar: - At least 18 years old and there is no upper age limit! - Youth workers who are directly working with young people with fewer opportunities, having experience of running at least one European Voluntary Service project; - Accredited sending, host and coordinator organisations; - Ready to take part in the whole Partnership building seminar; - Have organizational support for further EVS activities; - To be able to communicate English.