The project “Living Together”, carried out by the International Centre for Sustainable Development, falls under Key Action 1 of the Erasmus+ Program / Youth. It is the first youth exchange across Europe ever hosted in a shelter for unaccompanied minor refugees in the area of Ioannina, Greece.

For one week, namely from August 30th to September 4th 2021, young Europeans lived together with young refugees participating in the youth exchange. They played together, they were taught the exact same things and they talked about their dreams and their future.

Who participated

The project involved 38 young people from Finland, Turkey, Romania and Slovakia among which 10 refugees living in the Accommodation Facility for Minors in the area of Perama, Ioannina.

Project content and objectives

The main objective of this project was achieved, as awareness of refugees and the obstacles they face, especially the young refugee children, was raised. Europe’s youth also understood its role, while young people, as European citizens, came to realize that in addition to rights, they also have an obligation to ensure human rights and the European values not only for Europeans, but for all.

The participants took part in many educational workshops on active participation aimed at highlighting how young people can contribute to the improvement of the European society of which we are all part. They were advised on the current situation of refugees in Europe as they were briefed about all implemented policies. By interacting with young refugees, participants identified the problems of these policies and discussed possible solutions.

Project impact

The result of the “Living Together” youth exchange project was to create local and regional awareness of the problems faced by refugees and migrants and to contribute to the development of new policies for the European Union by young people and participating actors.

The participants were advised and acquired new knowledge on the refugee issue, their European identity while they also developed the power to support a fairer society for all. They are now able to apply these methods to both personal and local projects, the communities and their future work environments. Finally, they developed increased social and communication skills and acquired cultural knowledge.

As a result of the above, the project has contributed to supporting the unity and solidarity of the European Union in line with the 2020 objectives and to developing a citizen profile that will adopt a more active attitude in coherence with these objectives.

This exchange had the following impact:

• it forged a new mindset in youth to build a more active and thinking society;
• it contributed to the personal development and, therefore, to the professional development of beliefs, values, wisdom, compassion, emotional maturity, ethics, integrity and attitudes of all participants;
• it promoted tolerance and respect among refugees and young people;
• It ensured the transfer of the knowledge and skills acquired to other people interested in the above, who were either in need of the above or who wished to help;
• it had an impact on organizations by endowing them with a variety of new initiatives and project ideas on refugees and social activation.

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