Implementation
The PDA took place in Hylatio Tourist Village from November 24 (arrival day) until December 3 (departure day). In the following lines, you will find the description day by day, with details and some photos.
DAY 1, SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2023
Intro to the program, creating group atmosphere
We kicked off the day with breaking the ice with name games we continued getting to know each other with group games and one-on-one activities, unveiling new facts and creating the group atmosphere.
After breaking the ice we continued with the presentation about project objectives, main topic, activities and timetable by project organizers as well as sharing the tasks connected to the program with participants.
All the logistical moments and practicalities were also covered during this session.
Fears, Expectations and Contributions Youth Pass Activity
Split into groups, we spilled our project expectations, fears and contributions—turns out, we had the additional benefit of having a lot of secret dance enthusiasts. In the end, of activity, after small group discussions, all the expectations, fears, and Contributions were summed up and shared in the plenary.
Additionally, the agreement of the group was reached. Participants were divided into smaller groups, discussing the question, "What do I need to feel? safe and comfortable during the project.". Afterwards, it was shared in the big group and agreed on.
Afterwards Participants took part in the interactive game about Youth Pass competencies. The aim of the game is to get acquainted with Youth Pass framework and be more aware of the learning outcomes during the project. Participants were divided into groups. There were 8 different stations with tasks, representing one of the eight key competences. The task, which was also a team-building exercise required participants to get the stamps to their Youth Pass passport. To get a stamp for each of the eight stations, group had to finish the assigned duties.
Teambuilding: Tasks in Pissouri
During the second part of the day participants explored Pissouri village. For this activity they were divided to small mixed groups and were given tasks to complete together. To complete them participants should have asked locals for help and advice, gathered stories, and explore the local reality and the surroundings.
There is a different page describing all the tasks of the activity: https://varcou.webnode.page/tasks-in-pissouri/
Evening program
The night crescendoed with Cyprus' national dancers turning our dinner discussions into an impromptu dance-off.
DAY 2, SUNDAY, November 26, 2023
Participatory photography. Intro
After a small group reflection and starting to get to know each other the first day. Although it really felt like arriving "home" from the very first moment, surrounded by kindred spirits), we passed the challenge of trying to remember the pronunciation of our names, we continued in the morning with some theoretical framework about the concept of "participatory photography", a technique born in the 1960's, developed by a Brazilian named P. Freire.
In order to start exploring participatory photography each of the participant got the task to take their indirect selfportrait. The results were presented in the plenary and we could see hoe much you can say with one picture and how different and amazing the results are.
Creativity
Later we continue with practicing and develop creativity. We started with easy worm up activities and then continued with discussion on myths and stereotypes about creativity. After it we had a group activity developing some group outcomes in a very short time. Each group was supposed to choose one task on creativity from the list. Although in this task most of the groups have chosen the same concept - to create a superhero, who has its own story and powers – each hero was a very differently built character, but very eager to save our planet with its creative and loving "gasoline".
Breaking stereotypes
We continued with breaking the stereotypes. After the short theoretical input we divided to 4 groups. The task was to show love, friendship, dreams and beauty throughout photos. It was really challenging to make "clicks" which are not obviously represeting the ideas for the observers. After this we played a game with the pictures made, which was very similar to the well known game Dixit: each group had to guess for each picture - which idea does it belong to? It was a burst of emotions and the groups were very competitive trying to guess the hidden message.
Photo storytelling
Last task of this day was photographical storytelling throughout 3 pictures. The task helped to train the ability to express the messages with photography. After a short theoretical input on the storytelling, participants were divided into teams. Each team had a task to create a story using only 3 pictures. The stories were presented in the big group.
Evening program
The first intercultural night took place: Armenia, Ukraine and Hungary took us on a trip to their delicious food and rich culture. The cherry on top was the dance that we shared in the last hours of the day, each of these countries is not famous for sitting silently but hitting the dance floor with traditional dances, when it comes to parties.
DAY 3: Monday, November 27th, 2023
Introduction to collage
The session started with an activity that helped boost visual thinking: associations and imagination. Participants were offered to cut out from the magazine the image that represents beauty for them. After everyone shared their vision in the groups.
After this warm-up activity, we continued with an overview of the history and evolution of collage as a form of artistic expression. Participants were introduced to the range of collage styles, from traditional paper and glue techniques to digital and mixed-media approaches. The objective was to empower participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to embark on their own creative journey in the world of collage.
The Introduction to Collage session successfully achieved its objectives by providing participants with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to embark on their own creative journeys in the realm of collage. The collaborative and hands-on nature of the session set a positive tone for the artistic exploration that will unfold throughout the project.
Collage making
In artistic exploration of this session, participants immersed themselves in a dynamic session focused on collage-making. This creative endeavor provided a platform for self-expression, collaboration, and the synthesis of diverse visual elements into meaningful compositions. A diverse array of materials, including magazines, newspapers, colored paper, scissors, glue, and other ephemera, were provided to participants.
To stimulate creativity and cohesion within the group, a theme "I am everybody" was introduced for the collage-making session. Participants were encouraged to draw inspiration from the cultural context of the training course, fostering a connection between their artistic creations and the themes discussed throughout the program as well as their identity..
The majority of the session was dedicated to the hands-on creation of collages. Participants enthusiastically delved into the process, cutting, arranging and pasting elements to bring their unique visions to life.
The diverse range of collages created during this session will become the core element of the exhibition.
Combination of art techniques
The session on the combination of mixed media and photography was a successful method, providing participants with a unique opportunity to broaden their artistic horizons.
The workshop began with an introduction to the concept of combining different art forms, specifically integrating magazine cutouts with real-world backgrounds through photography. Then the participants were given a task to merge elements of magazine collage with photography to create visually stunning compositions.
The skills and insights gained during this session contribute to the overarching goals of the training course: fostering creativity, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation for diverse forms of artistic expression. The results of the session were later exposed on the exhibition.
How to make an exhibition
The last session of the day was the exhibition, which was secret. organised for participants by trainers. It was collage, photo and mixed-media exhibition that weaved together diverse identities and shared human experiences. This visual journey sparked contemplation on self-discovery, cultural exchange, and the evolving nature of identity in our interconnected world, creating a dynamic and immersive experience that resonates with the essence of shared humanity.
During the exhibition participants could not only got inspired by methods of exhibition organization but also had a chance to present their works on the exhibition as well as to explore the works of others.
Evening program
In the evening, we went for dinner to the tavern in Pissouri village. The dinner out in Pissouri Village was not merely a gastronomic adventure but a holistic cultural experience that enriched the participants' understanding of Cyprus and its traditions. The success of the evening was evident in the smiles, laughter, and camaraderie shared among the participants.
DAY 4: Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The day commenced with a visit to the ancient city of Kourion, an archaeological site nestled on the southwestern coast of Cyprus. The site, with its well-preserved ruins, provided us with a fascinating glimpse into the island's rich history and cultural heritage, as well as some facts of the modern life in Cyprus.
Following the enlightening visit to Kourion, we proceeded to Limassol, a vibrant city known for its blend of modernity and tradition. The afternoon was filled with exploration as we wandered through the charming streets, immersing ourselves in the local atmosphere, as well as practicing photography and capturing the moments.
Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges with locals, fostering a deeper understanding of Cypriot traditions and customs.
DAY 5: Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Project planning and management. Developing the project.
The session provided participants with essential insights and practical strategies for developing successful projects. The session focused on the foundational principles of project planning, emphasizing effective management practices, collaboration, and a systematic approach to project development. The session had interactive format conbining theoretical input, best practices and the space for questions and sharing the experience.
During the session, all the participants were divided into three mixed-countries groups—their working group for the whole cycle of the local project.
Working in groups Target group. Risks and potentials
The session offered participants a comprehensive exploration of the dynamics involved in collaborative endeavors. The focus was on understanding the intricacies of working in groups, identifying the target audience, and assessing both the potential benefits and inherent risks associated with group collaboration. During the session participants discuss their target group and came up with the question they want to ask to the school teacher, who worked with their target group.
After the answers were provided, the discussion was held abour sharing experiences, tips and concernes.
Preparation for local workshop
After it participants went to their working group to do all the necessary preparation in order to implement the workshops in the local school on the next day.
Evening program
The second intercultural night took place: Ukraine, Greece and Belarus took us on a trip to their delicious food and rich culture. The evening was full of interesting facts, dances, music and entertainment.
DAY 6: Thursday, November 30, 2023
Local workshop working with students (Lykeio Agiou Antoniou)
From the very morning, participants went to the local school Lykeio Agiou Antoniou, in order to implement the workshops, they prepared the previous day. The Local Workshop at Lykeio Agiou Antoniou was a fruitful and collaborative endeavor that contributed to the professional development of the participants in the training. The focus on student-centered approaches, interactive learning, effective communication, and technology integration equipped participants with practical tools to enhance their teaching practices.
It was an experience full of challenges held in a quite challenging environment. The success of this local workshop serves as a testament to the commitment of the participant of the training to continually improve and adapt their teaching methods for the benefit of the students as well as to support each other within the team.
Preparation for the local exhibition
After the integration of the local workshop debriefing of the experience was done. Participants could reflect and share their experience in the big group.
After debriefing of the local workshop experience, a short introduction of best practices was done, which was followed by the discussion and sharing of experience within the group. After Participants went back to their working group to continue with preparation for the local exhibition.
Evening program
In the evening, we had amazing activity organized by one of the participants—Eurovision Night. Each national team performed the song from their countries on Eurovision. Everyone was involved in the process and we really enjoyed this evening full of fun, unity, laughter, and creativity.
DAY 7: Friday, December 1st, 2023
Local exhibition
The Local Exhibition was a good showcase of creativity, talent, community engagement and voice of the community. During the exhibition all three groups of school student performed their artistic results. Additionally, everyone had a chance to explore the works of other groups.
It was a challenging task to keep an attention of such a big group, but participants managed to do it in a very smooth manner.
Presentation of the results of the local projects
The second part of the day was devoted to the evaluation and analysis of the whole experience of working with the local community. Participants went back to their working groups to prepare the report covering the following aspects: description of how was working in the team (strategy, involvement, division of the tasks, etc.), description of the target group, description of their program, what was the best, what could be improved, and a description of challenges and how the tea medaled with them, general conclusion.
When the report was ready, groups presented in on the plenary, sharing the experience and following the experience of others.
Erasmus+ and youth opportunities
The session about Erasmus+ and Youth Opportunities was conducted in the form of interactive discussion. The session ended with everyone feeling excited and eager to check out all the great chances the program offers. The session made it clear and easy to understand what Erasmus+ is all about. It encouraged people to think about how they can use these opportunities to learn new things, develop their skills, and get involved in their communities.
After learning so much during the session, everyone realized that Erasmus+ can help them grow as individuals, make a positive impact globally, and give them the tools to make a difference in the world.
Evening program
The last intercultural night took place: Moldova, Romania and Cyprus took us on a trip to their delicious food and rich culture. The evening was full of fun, sharing, interesting facts and traditional dances.
DAY 8: Saturday, December 2nd, 2023
Recaping of the project.
In one of the the culminating sessions of the project, participants engaged in a creative and reflective exercise to recap the highlights of the project through the medium of theatre. The activity involved dividing participants into groups, with each group tasked with with creating a small theatre piece representing one of the days of the training course. These performances were then presented sequentially, providing a dynamic and engaging recap of the diverse experiences and learning moments throughout the project. The performances ranged from deep reflections to lighthearted and humorous portrayals, capturing the essence of each day in a unique and memorable way.
The theatre recap session proved to be a dynamic and effective method for summarizing the training course. The creative exploration through theatre allowed participants to revisit and celebrate the diverse elements of the project, fostering a sense of closure and unity. The session served as a testament to the power of artistic expression in encapsulating the multifaceted nature of the learning journey.
Evaluation
In evaluation session of the Erasmus+ training course, participants were provided with the opportunity to express their reflections through the lens of a camera. Participants engaged in a unique and introspective activity where they expressed their reflections through a series of four photographs, each representing an answer to specific questions. The questions focused on key aspects of the training course, encouraging participants to visually articulate their thoughts on what they learned, their dislikes, what they liked beyond the program itself, and the general feeling about the project. After taking the pictures individually, participants shared it in the big group, providing valuable insights into the participants' perspectives.
The second block of the evaluation was personal evaluation. Participants had the opportunity for positive "gossiping". One participant was sitting with the back to the group, while the group was discussing positive highlights, thoughts and feeling about the person. The activity promoted a culture of appreciation and mutual support among participants. This innovative approach added a unique and uplifting dimension to the evaluation process, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating the strengths and positive contributions of each individual within the training community.
Future plans, Follow-up.
The Future Plans and Follow-Up session served as a bridge between the intensive training period and the ongoing engagement that would follow. The primary focus was on equipping participants with the necessary information and resources to actively participate in the follow-up activities and contribute to the dissemination of knowledge gained.
The interactive nature of the session allowed the coordinator to address specific concerns raised by participants. This ensured that everyone had a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and the broader impact they could contribute to in the post-training phase.
Youth path ceremony. Closing.
The culmination of the training course was marked by a reflective Youth Path Ceremony, followed by the Closing Session. These events provided a meaningful space for participants to celebrate their journey, acknowledge achievements, and bid farewell to a transformative experience.
Evening program
At the end of the activities, participants had a chance to write the secret messages to the ones they wanted to and put the little papers to the envelopes.
The program finished with the last farewell party.
