2nd Transnational Project Meeting
GENDER (IN )EQUALITY:awareness and social challenges
​The second Transnational meeting in presence is realised in Schwäbisch-Gmünd (Germany) in May. It is a 4-day meeting, including travel and involves all partners. Each sending partner participates with 5 people, 1 or 2 project referents, 1 expert and 2 or 3 young people. The hosting partner involves at least 130 people, among youngsters, students, associations dealing with youth and EU policies, representatives of local authorities and schools.
The transnational event includes 3 main activities:
- a Thematic workshop led by an Expert identified by Schwäbisch-Gmünd (hosting organization) on the legislation and situation of gender equality, aiming at drawing a global framework by illustrating EU and Partners legislation on this specific topic
- a Thematic talk involving all participants to discuss on the real status and perception on the topic
- Round-table meetings involving young people in order to generate a discussion on the main topic and suggest possible solutions to improve the present situation (at least 3 youngsters from the sending organizations and 60 from the hosting organization)
LOCAL EVENTS
P1 FAENZA- COMUNE DI FAENZA– Italy
Gender (in)equality: awareness and social challenges
In October, the first local activities of the European project "NEXT - Young NEETs shaping EXpectations for The Future of Europe" took place in Faenza, on the topic of gender equality.
During the workshops, held at the Manfrediana Municipal Library and in two classes of the Technical Institute "Oriani" in Faenza, our Young Managers shared with the young participants their experience and the contents of the transnational meeting in Germany they have attended. By involving youngsters in dynamic and interactive activities, they created a space for open discussion.
Thanks to the support of the Fenice Service of the Unione della Romagna Faentina, the participants were able to reflect on stereotypes, implicit prejudices and gender violence, promoting awareness and sensitivity.
The project is co-financed by the European Program CERV Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values ​​Programme - Networks of Towns.
The next workshops, scheduled for early 2025, will explore the effects of war on young generations and the multicultural society
P2 Boleslawiec - GMINA MIEJSKA BOLESLAWIEC - Poland
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Gender (in)equality: awareness and social challenges
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Climate is a topic! Women's perspective
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Breast cancer prevention among young people
The new school year 2024/2025 is another portion of challenges for our youth, which are posed to them by the project "NEXT Young NEETs shaping EXpectations for The Future of Europe".
Class III b and III c took part in the first meeting of the three-day cycle "Gender (in)equality: awareness and social challenges". The workshops were led by their older colleagues, who shared knowledge gained during the 2nd transnational meeting in Schwabisch Gmund in April.
Gender norms vary depending on the influence of religion, culture, community, but are internalized early in life and used as standards and expectations that men and women should meet. They are the basis for gender stereotypes, which affect, for example, women's and men's access to work or their life decisions. On a global scale, women have historically and socially been in a disadvantaged situation, which is also reflected in the lack of economic opportunities, as well as in unequal pay rates.
During the meeting on October 1, 2024, young people took part in social experiments, discussions on difficult topics, presenting and defending their arguments, and all this in a creative, friendly and critical (not criticizing) atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.
On October 21, 2024, during the second meeting, the main theme was "Climate is a topic! Women's perspective" and its three issues: causes and consequences of climate change, women's perspective on climate change, and global interdependencies. Students learned that climate change is a challenge for all of humanity and that each of us has an impact on it and can counteract its consequences.
Both workshops were prepared by participants of the "Next" project by Agata Szałasz, Wiktoria Basiak and Emilia Bołbot, together with Ms. Monika Filipiak.
The third activity took place on October 28, 2024 and concerned breast cancer prevention. Breast cancer prevention workshops aimed at young people have a key impact on building health awareness and shaping health care habits from a young age. The aim of such workshops is to provide information, dispel myths and shape attitudes favorable to early detection of breast cancer.
P3 DPIP - DAUGAVPILS PILSETAS IZGLITIBAS PARVALDE - Latvia
GENDER (IN)EQUALITY: awareness and social challenges
Epale Latvia and the Daugavpils Municipality held an event—a conference for adult educators from non-governmental organizations and the municipality, as well as youth leaders. The project contact person spoke and presented the project, sharing experiences upon returning from Germany on gender equality issues. In some areas of Latvia, society remains conservative, and the influence of the church makes it challenging to accept individual choices and freedom of action. Therefore, presenting on this topic at the national level in Latvia is a very important dissemination effort.
P4 Byala - OBSHTINA BYALA (VARNA) - Bulgaria
GENDER (IN)EQUALITY: awareness and social challenges
A meeting on the topic of "GENDER (IN)EQUALITY: awareness and social challenges" was held at the Crea Center in Byala, following a previous session in Germany. Participants explored important aspects of gender equality across various social spheres, discussed challenges and opportunities for achieving greater equity, and ways to engage young people in promoting equal rights.
On November 15, 2024, at the Crea Center in Byala, Bulgaria, a meeting was held with students from the local high school on the topic of "Gender (In)equality." During the event, we discussed gender equality and issues related to societal biases and stereotypes. After the main discussion, students participated in fun games and workshops, where the topic was explored in an interactive way, encouraging conversation and raising awareness about the importance of equality.
P5 MUN. LOUSADA - MUNICIPIO DE LOUSADA - Portugal
THEME 2 - Local activitiy - Thematic Talk|Workshop|Parlament
The Agrupamento de Escolas de Lousada organised a session for 11th and 12th grade students as part of Education for Citizenship, on the subject of ‘Expressions of Sexuality and Diversity’. This was part of the Gender Equality: awareness and social challenges theme of the ‘NEXT: Young NEEts shaping Expectations for The Future of Europe’ project.
As part of the celebration of the Municipal Day for Equality, which the Municipality of Lousada marks on 24 October, the Flash Mob for Equality activity was promoted.
The aim of this activity was to involve different audiences, age groups and with different characteristics, using dance as an instrument to promote the values of Equality, Inclusion and Participation. Equality between women and men is considered throughout the world to be a matter of human rights and a condition of social justice, necessary for societies to become more modern and more equitable. This activity took place between 21 and 25 October in the municipality's various school groups and ACIP - Ave Cooperativa Intervenção Psico-Social.
Gender issues: What challenges? What answers?
This is the question that was asked and that got the students of the Lousada School Group thinking about how they can contribute to promoting equity in the school environment. In response, 78 students (divided into four lists) and a team of 8 adults who guide them were involved. The idea was to build healthy environments, deconstruct prejudice and foster inclusive, productive and harmonious states of wellbeing, capable of contributing to improving the environment in the school community.
This activity, organised by the student association, was attended by local and national politicians who gave an insight into the workings, functions and organisation of the Assembly of the Republic, the Sovereign Bodies and the 14 Parliamentary Committees, the legislative process and the importance of young people's participation in the Legislative Initiative.
P6 Malta Crafts F.- THE MALTA CRAFTS FOUNDATION – Malta
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MCF hosts Business First
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MCF Learns: Business Basics
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MCF coordinates youth placements with artisans
The Malta Crafts Foundation hosted Business First young employees for a half day meeting that provided them with an opportunity to discuss their internal procedures within an informal setting, and which also served as a team building activity. The session furthermore served as a platform for the employees to learn more about the schemes offered by the Arts Council, as well as the work of the Malta Crafts Foundation within the artisan sector, whether traditional or contemporary. Current initiatives that were highlighted included the upcoming Premju Ä ieħ l-ArtiÄ¡janat Malti, and the Foundation’s participation in the ‘NEXT – Young NEETs shaping EXpectations for The future of Europe’ project with the aim of supporting youths in their entrepreneurial journey within the sector whilst at the same time striving to achieve gender equality.
Artisans especially young people are – by their very own nature – creative people. While they excel on the artistic side, it is not uncommon for them to get entangled with the business and administrative side of their enterprise. With this in mind, the Malta Crafts Foundation invited Lynn McCormick, CEO of McCormick Payroll & HR, to deliver the latest session of training for artisans, MCF Learns – Business Basics. During the session, the artisans were also informed about the Malta Crafts Foundation’s participation in the ‘NEXT – Young NEETs shaping EXpectations for The future of Europe’ project and related initiatives and discussed various issues including gender equality.
The Malta Crafts Foundation facilitated the placement of 24 young people with 10 different artisans operating at the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village for two-week internship between May 13th and 24th, during which they had the opportunity to learn how businesses operate, as well as to assist the artisans in the manufacturing aspect and running of their business. On the last day of their programme, the students gave a presentation of their work experience and also came up with recommendations to the artisans about actions that could be taken to improve their business. During the latter session, the Malta Crafts Foundation also addressed participants to give an overview of its work and the initiatives being taken to assist young people. Amongst others, reference was made to the Foundation’s participation in the NEXT project, within the context of which a discussion on the thematic topic of NEETs and youth employment and the issue of gender (in)equality was also held.
P7 LIMASSOL MUNICIPALITY – Cyprus
GENDER (IN)EQUALITY: awareness and social challenges
We combined the 2 topics for these events. Our YM, Vasilissa Georgoulopoulou, presented on 23 of September to 26 students, aged 18-24, at Cyprus University. Additionally, our YMs, Georgia Christofi and Petros Rousos, presented on 24 of September at a Youth Café with 24 local young participants aged 18-30. Youth Discussions on Key Issues in Cyprus – More to Come!
As part of the European project NEXT, our Young Managers—Vasilissa Georgoulopoulou, Georgia Christofi, and Petros Rousos—had the privilege of engaging with peers in Limassol and Nicosia on the 23rd and 24th of September.
The discussions focused on two critical topics: NEET and Youth Employment: Exploring perspectives and empowering young people for a brighter future. Gender (In)equality: Raising awareness and addressing social challenges for a more inclusive society.
Through open dialogue and meaningful exchanges, these conversations aimed to foster awareness, collaboration, and innovative ideas to tackle these pressing issues. Stay tuned—more meetings are on the way, covering additional key topics that impact our youth and society! Let’s keep the momentum going for positive change!
P8 Schwäbisch - STADT SCHWABISCH GMUND– Germany
THEME 2 Gender (in)Equality: Awareness & Social Challenges
THEME 2 Gender (in)Equality: Awareness & Social Challenges Local activitiy