ACT - Activities, Competencies and Training for Social Inclusion

In addition to bringing youth workers and volunteer workers together to build their cultural competencies and learn, ACT Project created a special bond between the four partner organisations. YMCA Finland, YMCA Helsinki, YMCA Thessaloniki and YMCA Lebanon worked together for a much longer than was originally planned because of the pandemic. The multicutural team behind the project had to postpone, plan again, postpone again and revisit their plans many times when everything seemed to be against the project. Without the courage, passion and willpower of our amazing people the trainings would never have happened. Some of the original team have already left the YMCAs to move on to other adventures but here we wish to thank each and everyone who contributed for the planning and ex*****on of ACT Erasmus+! You are the best!

Projects like this are so valuable for increasing the collaboration and exchange between organisations in different situations and cultures. We all learned so much about international project work and gained insight in both our own ways of working and those of others. We are looking forward to future projects and collaborations! With the fruits of ACT we are better equipped to work for the inclusion of vulnerable youth in our own contexts and we know where to ask for support should we need it in the future.

Final Training of ACT concluded on 10th December in YMCA Thessaloniki’s Camp Chalkidiki with 29 amazing people learning together. Participants from Greece, Finland and Lebanon had the opportunity to meet old and new friends, make connections and exchange best practices and cultural insights with each other.

This training was culmination of ACT Erasmus+ project. The project faced many difficulties during Covid19 restrictions but in the end we created something amazing. Thank you everyone who contributed to these trainings and thank you YMCA Finland, Helsingin NMKY, YMCA Thessaloniki and YMCA Lebanon for working so hard.

ACT Erasmus+ Final Training‼️

“Camping for Peace ☮️ “

Yesterday, Monday 5th of December we all arrived at YMCA Thessaloniki’s camp in Chalkidiki and we couldn’t be more excited 😊

29 changemakers from all three organising countries are meeting for the last time to take part on the final training of ACT Erasmus+ Project.

For the next 5 days, they will get the change to interact in groups, engage into volunteer work, build trust and most important of all learn about themselves as facilitators🥹

Stay tuned for more 😎

The project is co-funded by Erasmus+

Yesterday ACT spent the day in Helsinki YMCA campsite Pelli. 😎 The group had an opportunity to explore Finnish nature while trying different exercises related to teamwork and communication. We learned how to raise awareness and discussion about human rights, and engaged in conversations about our cultural habits and ways to think. The day concluded in the most Finnish experience: sauna and swimming in the lake 🤩🥵🥶💚

Honorary mention is awarded to the excellent Finnish dishes our chef in Pelli served us! Finnish fish soup, meatballs, cinnamon buns... yum!

Diversity has been a fact in our ACT Erasmus+ project's training visit in Finland! 🤩 The first two days have been an amazing mix of sightseeing in Helsinki, discovering things about each other's cultures and learning about communication! We already have so many tools to take with us to our work with young people 💙

Lots of discussion, laughter and connections - can't wait to see what the next two days have to offer! 🥰

❤🇱🇧❤

ACT Erasmus+ project is about to have the third training visit, finally in Finland! The training will take place from 23rd September to 28th September, 23rd and 28th being travel days. The location will be in YMCA Helsinki premises as well as some other Helsinki city center locations, in addition to a visit to camp site Pelli in Karjalohja, about 1,5 hours drive from Helsinki.

The aim of this training is
a) to develop personal and professional competences of the participants on how to use
non-formal education, outdoor activities, improvisation, storytelling and theater
methods for cooperation, social inclusion and diversity,
b) to promote active participation of youth in local communities.

Main content for the first three training days will follow the same pattern throughout all the training visits. In each training one day is reserved for the host country’s YMCA to share about their context, work and methods with the group.

If you wish to have more information about the program, practical side or our Covid19 policies, please contact [email protected]. :)

The application process for Finnish participants is still open! Apply here: https://bit.ly/ACTFinlandRegister

Diversity is a fact, Inclusion is an ACT!
The ACT Project is co-funded by European Union Erasmus+ program.

Last week the ACT Erasmus training in Lebanon was finished! During the four days our participants from YMCAs of Thessaloniki, Finland, Helsinki and Lebanon came together to learn about inclusion, diversity, human rights, peacebuilding and community work. And in between there were countless energizers, games, deep conversations and amazing lebanese cuisine! Thank you everyone who participated 🤩

Next training will be held in Helsinki, Finland 24-27.9.2022.

ACT Erasmus training number two has officially started in Lebanon! 🤩 Training was kicked off with a tour of the beautiful cities of Beirut, Byblos and Batroun! Thank you for amazing hosting

ACT Erasmus+ project’s second training visit is almost here, this time in Lebanon! The training will take place from 25th August to 30th August, 25th and 30th being travel days and the location will be in YMCA Lebanon camp site.

Fares Camp and Youth Hostel is situated in Ras El Maten, a mountainous region full of pine trees and surrounded by very attractive views. Ras El Maten altitude is 800 meter above the sea and it is 30 minutes away from Beirut.

The aim of this training is
a) to develop personal and professional competences of the participants on how to use
non-formal education, outdoor activities, improvisation, storytelling and theater
methods for cooperation, social inclusion and diversity,
b) to promote active participation of youth in local communities.

Main content for the first three training days will follow the same pattern throughout all the training visits. In each training one day is reserved for the host country’s YMCA to share about their context, work and methods with the group.

We are taking extra steps to ensure everyone’s safety during the training. We are encouraging all participants and trainers to wear a face mask. In addition, we follow the usual protocol of washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, keeping our distance to others etc. We encourage everyone to take measures already before training by avoiding unnecessary contact with others before traveling.

Diversity is a fact, Inclusion is an ACT!
The ACT Project is co-funded by European Union Erasmus+ program.

Suomen YMCA
Helsingin NMKY Σχολή Στελεχών ΧΑΝΘ - Youth Leadership Training School
YMCA Lebanon
YMCA Lebanon - Empowering Youth

EDIT:
This training visit has unfortunately been postponed to next autumn. The new dates will be published soon!

ACT Erasmus+ project is about to have the second training visit, this time to Finland! The training will take place from 22nd February to 27th February, 22nd and 27th being travel days and the location will be in YMCA Helsinki camp site Pelli in Karjalohja, about 1,5 hours drive from Helsinki. Here are some photographs from the site!

The aim of this training is
a) to develop personal and professional competences of the participants on how to use
non-formal education, outdoor activities, improvisation, storytelling and theater
methods for cooperation, social inclusion and diversity,
b) to promote active participation of youth in local communities.

Main content for the first three training days will follow the same pattern throughout all the training visits. In each training one day is reserved for the host country’s YMCA to share about their context, work and methods with the group.

We are taking extra steps to ensure everyone’s safety during the training. There are no longer any restrictions in place regarding Covid19, but we are encouraging all participants and trainers to wear a face mask. In addition we follow the usual protocol of washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, keeping our distance to others etc. We encourage everyone to take measures already before training by avoiding unnecessary contact with others before traveling.

Please note:
- All participants should have a full vaccination certificate or active certificate of recovery.

If you wish to have more information about the practical side or our Covid19 policies, please contact [email protected].

The application process for Finnish participants is still open! Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVoxf53uW5hu13573jHp6tcewA60aB-ZgLcmkl_YdLRda54Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

Diversity is a fact, Inclusion is an ACT!
The ACT Project is co-funded by European Union Erasmus+ program.

Suomen YMCA
Helsingin NMKY
Σχολή Στελεχών ΧΑΝΘ - Youth Leadership Training School
YMCA Lebanon

Don’t wait for things to happen. Make them happen
Inclusion is an Act ✌️ 🤝



Suomen YMCA
Helsingin NMKY
Σχολή Στελεχών ΧΑΝΘ - Youth Leadership Training School
YMCA Lebanon
YMCA Lebanon - Empowering Youth

Intercultural competence training session 📍
How does culture affect me?📖
Intercultural communication📣
Group dynamics🏃‍♀️🏃
From stereotypes to inclusion👐



Suomen YMCA
Helsingin NMKY
Σχολή Στελεχών ΧΑΝΘ - Youth Leadership Training School
YMCA Lebanon
YMCA Lebanon - Empowering Youth