INFOPACK
Youth exchange
SUNFLOWER POWER
(2016-3-HR01-KA105-034795)
Vrginmost, Croatia
27th April - 6th May 2017
INFORMATION ABOUT ORGANIZERS
Suncokret - Center for Community Development is a Croatian non-governmental, non-profit organization
founded as a response to the psychosocial needs of the community in the after war period. Suncokret-CCD
aims to address negative psychological, social and cultural consequences of the social upheavals in this postwar
area, to improve the quality of life for all, but especially for deprived members of the society, to promote
community rebuilding, and support development of a sustainable democratic civil society.
The mission of Suncokret Centre for Community Development is to encourage community development
through community work, providing access to educational opportunities, promotion of volunteerism,
increasing social inclusion and access to information. Community development is also encouraged through civic
engagement that promotes democracy building and sustainability through learning, education and information
sharing through the activities offered. In addition, the activities are intended to facilitate reintegration of
people of different ethnic groups, Croat settlers/refugees and Serb returnees, in a post war area through
educative, skill building, and community building activities. We work to provide educational, recreational
activities in an area where these activities otherwise would not be readily available and increase social
inclusion of marginalized returnees, refugees and internally displaced.
You can find more information about Suncokret’s activities on our Facebook page.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
Human environmental impact and importance of sustainability have been gaining interest as humans have started to
realize the damage we are doing to the environment and that we are abusing Earth’s natural resources. With that in mind,
we believe that there is a need to raise awareness about environmental issues among European youth. We, Suncokret
Centre for Community Development, together with our partners from 4 countries, have decided to come together and try
to help project participants to learn about environmental issues, develop sustainability skills and proactive attitudes for
cooperation and intercultural learning. We see this project as a tool to promote social inclusion of young people from
disadvantaged groups, using workshops on the subject of recycling and addressing and presenting environmental issues.
Our youth exchange project “Sunflower Power” will bring together 20 youngsters and 5 group leaders from 5 countries:
Croatia, Italy, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey. For eight working days, they will share experiences and learn from one
another about the importance of sustainability and recycling, but will also develop their entrepreneurial skills with the
use of non-formal education methods. Moreover, environmental education workshops will consist of both theoretical,
team building activities and practical activities outdoors. Also, participants will involve the local community in some of the
activities.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
The main aim of this project is to raise awareness on the importance of daily recycling, increasing environmentally
conscious actions and promoting a sustainable way of living. To fulfill this purpose we will focus on reaching the following
objectives:
1) Creating stimulating and inspirational space for intercultural learning and
knowledge sharing for 25 participants from 5 countries.
2) Promoting lifelong learning among 25 participants, with special emphasis on
discovering and strenghtening their competences.
3) Creating tolerance and collaboration as part of developing cultural awareness.
4) Developing entrepreneurial skills, creativity and sense of initiative through good
practice and non-formal methods of education.
5) Raising awareness of environmental issues and importance of recycling in
everyday life.
6) Developing a positive attitude of taking responsibility for one's own learning
process and one's own impact in the nature.
7) Informing participants about opportunities and to take initiative in developing
new projects under the Erasmus+ programme.
DATES OF THE YOUTH EXCHANGE ACTIVITY
The youth exchange activity will take place between 28th April and 5th May 2017.
Arrival day is 27th April and 6th May 2017 is departure day.
PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTICIPANT’S PROFILE
COUNTRY
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
CONTACT E-MAIL
Croatia
Suncokret Centre for Community Development
[email protected]
Italy
Connect
[email protected]
Romania
ASK Yourself
[email protected]
Slovenia
Razvojna agencija Kozjansko
[email protected]
Turkey
Belen Kaymakamligi
[email protected]
Each participating organization is going to send 4 youngsters and 1 group leader. That way, our youth exchange project will
gather together 25 participants (20 young people + 5 group leaders).
We expect the following profile of the participants:
- young people interested in the topic of sustainability and recycling, motivated to fully take part in youth exchange project
and willing to share the outcomes of the project once they come home after the youth exchange activity
- aged 18-25, with no upper age limit for the group leader. Also, each national group is allowed to have one participant aged
26-30, if he/she shows great interest in the topic of the project.
- advantage is given to participants who still haven’t taken part in international mobility projects or have never been
abroad. The requirement is to include at least two participants with fewer opportunities per national group.
- gender balance is expected, so each national team should strive to have two male and two female participants (no gender
preference for the group leader)
DESCRIPTION OF THE VENUE AND ACCOMMODATION
The youth exchange activity will take place in Vrginmost (Gvozd), small town in central Croatia. It is located in a rural
postwar area that is not enough exploited and has a lot of useful and natural resources, what makes it appropriate for our
ecological youth exchange project.
Participants will be accommodated in Kids Earth Fund (KEF) house, that consists of two buildings
and both are two-story houses. The KEF house provides approximately 30 sleeping spaces which
are mixed gender dorm style with bunk beds. There are several showers and WC avaliable. In
addition to a sustainable environment, there will be several solar heated showers, several
composting sawdust toilets and a composting bin for composting waste and food scraps.
Moreover, the KEF house has a living room which has been already used as a conference
room on multiple occasions. KEF has a big courtyard, what is appropriate for most of our outdoor
educational activities. The houses are located walking distance from the town
center and are located in a nice forested area. There are vegetable gardens,
orchard and flowerbeds around the house. Some of the activities we plan to hold
at the Suncokret center, which is located in the center of the town. It offers an
internet point, a big hall for activities and it is a place where local children and
youth spend their time.
The food will be prepared and served at our venue, with the exception of the lunch
package during our study visit. As part of filling out the application form, Suncokret
key staff will gather information about participant’s dietary requirements and will
manage the meals accordingly. Suncokret will ensure three meals per day
(breakfast, lunch and dinner) and two tea breaks between workshops.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO TAKE WITH YOU?
The accommodation does not provide towels, so make sure to bring some! Other than that, make sure to bring your
necessary medications, if needed. Moreover, as some of our activities will include spending time outside (garden, park in
the center of Gvozd), it is recommended to bring comfortable clothes and sneakers you are not scared of to get a bit dirty.
When it comes to money, in Gvozd you can find one ATM (no bank) and you can exchange money at the local post office.
HOW TO REACH VRGINMOST/GVOZD?
Our project officially starts on 15th February so participants should not book their tickets before this date, as we will not be
able to do reimbursement for them. Moreover, participants must consult about their travel itinerary with Suncokret key
staff and wait for their approval before booking the tickets. Participants are expected to book and buy the cheapest tickets
(f.e. economy instead of business class). Participants can stay in Croatia in total of 3 days out of the youth exchange dates.
When it comes to air transport, the closest airport to our project venue is Franjo Tuđman
International Airport, known as Zagreb Airport (ZAG). The airport is located approximately 15 km
away from Zagreb main bus station (Autobusni kolodvor Zagreb). Other airports in the
neighboring countries include f.e. Vienna, Budapest, Venice, Sarajevo and Belgrade. Still, from
these airports participants should find a way how to arrive to Zagreb main bus station. If you
need help in finding cheap flights, make sure to contact Suncokret project staff.
From the Zagreb airport to the Zagreb main bus station, a Croatian airlines shuttle bus runs
every 30 minutes and costs 30-35 kuna. More information you can find here.
To get to Vrginmost (Gvozd) from Zagreb you need to take a bus from the main bus
station in Zagreb. It takes about 2-3 hours to arrive in Vrginmost, depending on your
travel plan and arrival time on Zagreb main bus station.
When you get to the bus station in Zagreb ask for a ticket to Karlovac. The trip from
Zagreb to Karlovac takes about 45-50 minutes. When you arrive in Karlovac ask for a
ticket to Vrginmost. The trip from Karlovac to Vrginmost is about 50-60 minutes.
The bus from Zagreb to Karlovac departs every 30-45 minutes throughout the day
during weekdays. The bus station web page with travel itinerary is just a click away!
From Karlovac to Vrginmost on the weekdays (as the project arrival day is on Thursday) the buses run at the following times:
6:15, 8:20, 10:15, 12:00, 12:25, 14:30, 17:35, 19:30. Do not miss the last bus! Our departure day is Saturday and there are
three buses from Vrginmost to Karlovac: 6:15, 14:20, 17:00. One way ticket prices are approximately: Zagreb-Karlovac 40-48
kuna, and Karlovac-Vrginmost ticket price is 35.5 kuna. Similar prices apply for the return trip, so make sure to count these
costs (approximately 20€ for both ways) as part of your travel reimbursement limits while planning your trip to Vrginmost.
The suggested travel itinerary is the most used by our volunteers and it is most convenient. If participants think they can
find better way to arrive to Vrginmost, they are welcomed to give it a try.
WHAT ABOUT ACTIVITIES?
The planned workshops and activities are designed to empower young people
with basic knowledge of environmental protection and ecological principles,
together with creative and entrepreneurial way of thinking. Some of the activities
from the schedule include: getting to know each other and team building
activities; getting familiar with Erasmus+ programme, Youthpass and 8 key
competences; implementing knowledge about sustainability on venue location;
learning about other’s country situations regarding sustainability and recycling;
eco-gardening; visiting Suncokret center and having workshops with local children
and youth; photo voice; trip to Petrova gora and Karlovac; working on
entrepreneurial ideas and presenting them to local employers. More detailed
schedule will be available in the Facebook group before the youth exchange starts.
In order to benefit the most from this “Sunflower Power” youth exchange project, we
expect participants to prepare three different things before arriving to the project:
1) On day 3 of youth exchange, two sessions will be devoted to presenting the
environmental situation in your countries and common behaviors towards sustainable
way of living
2) Each country will work on one of the “theoretical” parts of topics covered during this
project. Five morning workshops will be implemented and their topics are: “Introduction
to sustainability”, “What is recycling?”, “Tips and tricks for eco-gardening”, “Basics of
public speaking” and “How to become an entrepreneur?” Participants should gather
before the youth exchange activity starts, explore the given topic and think of the nonformal methods that they can use for introducing the chosen topic and implement it in
the 90 minutes long morning workshops
3) In order to learn more about the culture of the representing countries, intercultural
nights will be held. Participants should present their country in the creative way through
food, drinks, music, dances, national games, quiz etc.
Other than those three pre-project preparations, it is important to mention participants will be able to reflect on their
experience during daily reflection groups. Also, participants will be divided in 5 teams during the week, taking daily
responsibility in different areas: breakfast preparing, on-time keepers, cleaning, social media, energizers.
COSTS RELATED INFORMATION - REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAVEL, VISA COSTS
Although the planned arrival day is 27th April and departure day is 6th May 2017, it is possible for participants to stay in
Croatia in total of 3 days out of the project dates. During that time, participants are responsible for their costs of
accommodation, travel and food.
In the following table you can find the maximum travel cost that can be reimbursed for the project, based on the European
Commission’s Erasmus+ distance calculator:
Country
Maximum cost
Croatia
0€
Italy
80 €
Romania
170 €
Slovenia
80 €
Turkey
170 €
For example, if an Italian participant spends 67 € for arrival and return, he/she will receive a 67 € reimbursement. On the
other hand, if he/she spends 95 €, participant will have to cover 15 € on his/her own as the maximum reimbursemet for
travel costs for Italian participants is 80 €.
In order to reimburse the travel cost, you must provide the original travel tickets, invoices and boarding passes (if
applicable). Once all the needed original travel documents are sent to us and dissemination activities have been
implemented by the participants, Suncokret will start with the reimbursement process. Reimbursement will be paid through
the official partner organizations bank account (not individual participants).
For participants coming from Turkey and who need visa – Suncokret key staff is here to help you! Let us know what
documents you need from our side and we will send you the needed documents. For the visa costs, we got 60 € approved
per person and that cost will be reimbursed together with travel reimbursement.
We highly recommend that participants get medical/travel insurance. That cost cannot be covered by the hosting
organization. Participants coming from the EU countries may obtain European Health Insurance Card.
No participation fee will be charged by Suncokret Center for Community Development.
SHORT INFORMATION ABOUT CROATIA
Welcome to Croatia, or in the Croatian language: Hrvatska! Croatia is located in the southeast of Europe, on the crossroad
of different cultures. Croatia has a population of 4.2 million inhabitants spread on 56,594 km2. Its capital and largest city is
Zagreb and some other big cities are Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Zadar and Dubrovnik. Croatian currency is called kuna
(approximately 1 Euro = 7.5 HRK). Moreover, Croatia was the latest country to join European Union. If you feel like learning
some Croatian phrases, you can find them here:
Yes – Da
No – Ne
Thank you – Hvala
Hello – Bok
How are you? – Kako si?
I am fine, you? – Dobro sam, ti?
What’s your name? – Kako se zoveš?
My name is… -- Zovem se…
Good morning – Dobro jutro
Good day – Dobar dan
Good evening – Dobra večer
Good night – Laku noć
Goodbye – Doviđenja
I’m sorry -- Oprostite
I don’t understand Croatian – Ne razumijem hrvatski
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any doubts or question, don’t hesitate to contact partner organizations from your countries or key staff from
Suncokret Centre for Community Development.
Luka Tunjić – [email protected]
Maja Turniški – [email protected]