During the period between 16th–31st of August 2021, we participated as partners in the projects “Youth’s Perspective on Employment” and ” On the way to school”, projects financed through the Erasmus+ Program, Key Action: Mobility projects for young people, the theme being employability among young people, respectively education.
We thank “Ankara Eğitim Gönüllüleri Derneği – Ankara Education Volunteers”, Turkey for facilitating these partnerships.
The young people selected as participants in these projects were the most involved volunteers in the actions of developing questionnaires, applying and interpreting them within the Advocacy Activity for vulnerable groups of young people and women, an activity of the project “From Pupil To Employee: Advocacy and Training for Youth and Women at Risk in Dolj county”, run by the Adina Stiftelsen Foundation, with the financial support of Active Citizens Fund Romania, a program financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through EEA Grants 2014-2021.
Minodora, Georgiana, Mihaela, Adriana, Marian and Adrian were eager for new experiences, despite the restrictions and health insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and during the preparatory meetings they expressed their expectations, but also their fears they felt and prepared the information they wanted to share with the other participants from Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, North Macedonia, Poland, Greece and Bulgaria.
On August 15th, our brave youngsters set off on their summer adventure. The drive to Çankırı, the city where the first project took place, was long and tiring, but the energy and excitement of meeting new people and experiencing a different culture helped them get through the many hours spent on the bus.
The cultural shock was quite big, but our young people managed to adapt quickly, being helped and guided by the project coordinators.
The non-formal activities carried out every day were mainly aimed at communication and active participation, thus creating the perfect framework for intercultural learning experiences and personal development.
The role-playing games that had youth employability as their topic brought to the fore the problems that young people face when they want to get a job. The common problems identified: the lack of internships, the low number of jobs, the inconsistency of the subjects learned during the years of study with the real needs in the field of work.
The Romanian participants, being directly involved in mapping and carrying out research on the issue of social exclusion and unemployment among vulnerable groups of young people and women from the communities where the foundation operates, made a detailed presentation which they presented to all participants.
The second project, held between August 23rd and 30th, had as its main theme education, focusing on early school leaving and the freedom to study, both domestically and internationally.
Our team presented the projects carried out by the foundation, underlining the importance of a holistic approach and integrated educational support in order to support children and young people throughout their educational journey, from pre-school age until the completion of studies and then integration into the labor market.
At the end of the workshops, the participants identified as the main methods by which school dropout can be prevented: promoting the benefits of education/why it is important to be educated, supporting young people through teachers and volunteers, involving the state through various programs/workshops/training centers youth, through which young people can be motivated to continue their studies. We were pleasantly surprised to note that our foundation has already identified all these solutions and is working on them.
The intercultural evenings were an opportunity to introduce the participants and coordinators to the wonderful Romanian culture.
Another important component in the two projects was the visit of cultural and tourist attractions in the vicinity. Fortunately, Cappadocia was also on the list of these objectives, a region that can be likened to an open-air museum, where you learn about history, religion, spectacular rocks, volcanoes, caves and underground cities.
How do our participants describe this experience?
Mihaela: My experience in Turkey was unique. It was the first time for me to leave the country and also the first time to participate in an Erasmus+ project. I am so glad that I was able to meet so many new and interesting people and learn more about their cultures. I am very grateful to the Adina Stiftelsen Foundation and the coordinators of the Erasmus+ projects in Çankırı and Kahramanmaraș: Yasir, Enes, Furkan, Ali and Yalcin.
Georgiana: The experience in Turkey in a few words… it’s hard to express in “a few words” two weeks that passed extremely quickly.
I was lucky enough to participate in two special Erasmus+ projects, which gave me the opportunity to meet new and beautiful people from seven other countries (Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, North Macedonia, Poland, Greece and Bulgaria), who in turn came equipped and prepared to color the projects in their own cultures, so I can say that I came back with a diversely colored experience and many beautiful memories, including the wonderful cultural evenings, with dancing and good food, the multinational expressions, the discussions about the parts beautiful and the least beautiful of our countries. All in all, it was a time that is not easily forgotten and one that I wish I could relive anytime.
Minodora: How were the two weeks in Turkey with the Erasmus+ projects? WONDERFUL!
I met many special participants from 7 completely different countries, with whom I had a lot to talk about.
I am very glad that I saw my Turkish friends that I missed and I hope that we will meet again soon.
By participating in Erasmus+ projects, I had the opportunity to discover other cultures, to visit various wonderful places in Turkey, where I met people full of warmth and love.
It was an unforgettable experience that I would repeat anytime.
Adriana: Turkey is a unique experience, because you get to communicate with different people, each using their own language and still managing to understand each other in one way or another. It is a hospitable culture, where wherever you go you are likely to receive a cup of hot tea or sweets, all accompanied by many smiles.
The opportunity to participate in two Erasmus+ projects in Turkey was a real joy. In these projects, we had the chance to meet different people from several countries – North Macedonia, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Bulgaria and Turkey – and make a lot of new friends.
Through each activity carried out within the project we were able to get to know the other participants better or even discover new things about ourselves.
In the end, it was an unforgettable experience with lots of adventure, fun and new experiences.
Marian: For me, the two Erasmus+ projects were an unforgettable experience.
The interaction with the other participants from other countries opened my eyes to the different cultures around us and I hope that in the future I can take part in such projects again.
Adrian: For me, the Erasmus+ experience meant breaking away from the ordinary. During these two weeks, I was put in completely new situations for me, which I had to learn how to manage “on the fly”. Just as I told Yasir, one of the facilitators of the two projects, this experience opened my eyes and showed me how different, but at the same time how similar we are, regardless of our roots. This is definitely just the beginning for me when it comes to Erasmus+ projects. I can’t wait to experience the next one.
The Adina Stiftelsen Foundation is a non-governmental, apolitical organization active in the field of social welfare, established as an independent legal entity in 2004. The Adina Stiftelsen Foundation is accredited as a provider of social services and is active in the provision of educational services to prevent school dropouts in rural areas of Dolj county.
Vision
Mission
Values
Non-discrimination: we are all one
Professionalism: we have expertise and experience and we benefit from the know-how of the best professionals in education
Respect for diversity and human dignity
TESTIMONIES
Children's testimonies
Being a beneficiary of Adina Stiftelsen Foundation is a great experience because I had the chance to meet beautiful people with plenty of live experience. I am more sociable and open to new opportunities because of the Educational Program. I use the monthly scholarship to pay for transportation to school.
Braitor Ilie Valentin
- beneficiary of the Educational Program