Follow Up Poland

Date: 15.02.2024

Place: Wrocław, Poland

On the 15th of February, an engaging follow-up activity took place in Wrocław, hosted during the Open Soul's meeting. This event provided a wonderful opportunity for both youth and youth workers to come together and engage in meaningful discussions about the organization's future and reflect on its past achievements. The meeting was highlighted by insightful presentations from Igor and Patryk, who shared their valuable experiences from the "VARCOU" project. They offered an in-depth look into their journey, detailing the activities carried out during the project and emphasizing the importance of seizing Erasmus+ project opportunities.

The conversation was further enriched as we connected with Konrad and Ola via a Zoom meeting, who, due to their work commitments, were unable to attend in person. They contributed additional perspectives to the discussion, sharing their own impressions and experiences. Their presentation included a showcase of photographs from the project, offering attendees a visual glimpse into the workings and impact of such initiatives.

The meeting concluded on an inspiring note, with a focus on future plans involving Erasmus. We encouraged new participants to explore the enriching experiences that such projects offer, fostering a sense of enthusiasm and anticipation for what lies ahead.

Links for online dissemination

Evaluations from participants

Konrad

Generally, the project was well-structured, commencing with a clear presentation of the theoretical aspects of participatory photography and subsequently progressing into practical applications. The written PDA accurately mirrored the activities conducted in Pissouri. My favorite part was creating and later witnessing the surprise exhibition of our own collages. The Hylatio venue was fantastic with friendly staff, and amazing mediterranean food, so healthy and delicious :) The possibility of watching sunrises and sunsets on the beach made this exchange feel like a vacation. However, it wasn't a leisure trip, as there was work to be done. And we did it. Not only did we get introduced to a new concept for me – that of "participatory art," but we also had the opportunity to impart this knowledge to others during the workshops at the public school. Knowledge is meant to be shared with our communities, and despite the intense nature of this particular case, I value the fact that it was included in the program. This project allowed us to enhance key competencies and values. We not only became part of a community, collaborating on special programs as teams, but also gained a deeper understanding of ourselves individually and in groups. Our self-reflection through photos and collages.

Ola

The organization of the project was excellent; communication from the beginning was clear, and all necessary information was in the infopack or emails we received prior to the project. I really liked the fact that the training course had its own website; I've never seen it before at other projects. The topic of the training course was well introduced to participants; at first, we got to know some theoretical stuff and then we could start the practical part. We learned about the concept of participatory photography and art techniques like collage. Through these forms, we could get to know how to express ourselves—our thoughts, problems, and dreams. I believe that thanks to this project, I developed my creativity, organizational skills, and language skills. What I liked the most about this training course, was the fact that we had real-life contact with local communities—while playing city games in Pissouri, where we could ask inhabitants for directions to certain points—and, of course, while conducting workshops for teenagers from school in Limassol. I was impressed by the venue where we spent that week. The standard was very high, the food was delicious and we had a chance to see traditional Cypriot dances and get to know a little bit about the culture of this country. The surroundings of the hotel were peaceful and beautiful, which was sure to boost our creativity and positive attitude. It is difficult to think of something to improve at projects organized by NGO Acpelia. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to take part in this inspirational adventure and I will recommend all projects done by this association.

Patryk

In a word of introduction, I would like to point out that this was my first Erasmus, although certainly not the last. The group of people I met on this project was incredibly open, everyone was willing to talk about many topics. The Erasmus hosts were very nice and polite, and their daily activities were interesting and not tedious. The theme of this project was photography and even though I thought I knew a lot about taking pictures, I was very wrong. I have learned many useful things about photography and art. The food in our accommodation was incredibly delicious and most importantly, you could eat as much as you wanted. Being honest after returning home, it turned out that I had 3 kg more on weight. There was a buffet in our hotel, which contained many Cypriot dishes and delicacies. The classes were well planned and during the day we had enough time to rest. Our tasks were understandable and at the same time very creative. During the classes, we divided into smaller groups, thanks to which we performed tasks with other people every day. It was also a good idea that at the end of each day we met in a small group and exchanged opinions on what we liked and what we did not like on a given day.

As for the things that were most memorable to me, I will definitely remember about going to a nearby high school, where I met many young people not much younger than me. At this school I also met a girl who was half Polish half Cypriot. I would never expect that. I will also remember well the trip to Limassol and the nearby village in Pissouri. The trip to Limassol was interesting because we could spend the whole day there in any way we wanted. The village on the hill near Pissouri was majestic and full of Cypriot climate. I took a lot of pictures there and the tasks we had to do there were very inventive and made each group compete with each other. The last thing I will remember for a long time was the cliff trip along the coast. Our guide on this trip was Jack (one of the Erasmus participants who has already been to Cyprus for the 6th time) and showed us along the long route along the coastline. It was a very fun adventure.

Igor

The project on Cyprus was all about bringing people together through art and community. We wanted to create a space where everyone could express themselves and connect on a deeper level. Through workshops and collaborative projects, we saw strangers become friends and barriers break down. It was amazing to see how art could bring out emotions and stories that might otherwise go unheard. In the end, the project showed us the incredible power of creativity to build bridges and foster a sense of belonging. It was a journey filled with memorable moments and lasting connections.