The international youth exchange in Ukraine is the first stage of the bigger project“Splashes of Diversity”, where youth workers and youth from different cultural backgrounds will meet and experience non-formal and informal learning in intercultural environment.

The project’s main focus is youth with fewer opportunities and different cultural background.

During the youth exchange in Ukraine we will discover about the definition of culture in general, learn about participants’ cultures and intercultural communication. The final activity of the youth exchange will be theatre production which participants would have to create by themselves and to present to the local public.

Second part of the project is youth exchange in Latvia which will take place on March 2017. It will be dedicated migration and inclusion of asylum seekers. The final product of the youth exchange will be photo exhibition about migration and diversity which participants will present to the local public.

It is expected that some of participants will take part in both youth exchanges, so the knowledge transfer will be provided.

– to raise awareness and understanding of other cultures and countries;

– to promote diversity, intercultural dialogue, tolerance between young people from different countries and coming from different backgroungds;

– to expand their knowledge on the notions of multiculturalism, acceptance and tolerance;

– to provide young people with fewer opportunities with international mobility;

– to share experience and encourage new youth initiatives;

– to facilitate international exchange, networking and cooperation.

This is the draft of the programme, but it’s flexible and everyone can contribute. The programme of the youth exchange will be facilitated by all the project team, group leaders and participants. It is expected active participation from everyone to make this youth exchange a great experience!

– young people of 18-25 y. o. (some can be older up to 30 y.o.);

– coming from Georgia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Moldova and Ukraine;

– personally interested in the topic of intercultural learning, ready to share and gain new experience;

– motivated to take active part in the project;

– motivated to share the experience gained during the project in their communities and use the obtained knowledge on practice.

Accommodation: the participants will be lodged in rooms for 3 people in the bungalow park “Slavna” (Sumy region, Okhtyrka area).Food: you will have three meals and two coffee-breaks a day. Please, inform about your food habits and needs (fast, vegetarian, vegan etc).

Working language: English.

Internet Access: free wifi is available at the venue.

Plugs: the type of the plugs in Ukraine is European. Make sure that you have adapters for your electrical devises.

What to bring with you:

• “Standard youth exchange equipment”: an alarm clock, any dictionaries you might require, music, musical instruments, comfortable clothes, personal first aid kit, swimming suite etc;
• Additionally we will inform you about the things which you need to prepare and bring for the programme elements.

Participants from all participating countries do not need visa to Ukraine. Please, do not forget your international passports!While crossing the border you might be asked to provide information about the hosting organization:

Center for Euronitiatives

22 Naberezhna r. Strilky Street

40009, Sumy, Ukraine

+38 (0542) 79-86-68

Participants from Ukraine: bring your national IDs (national passport, driver license or student ID card).

The day of arrival to Ukraine: 1 December 2017The day of departure: 10 December 2017

How to get to Ukraine:

The closest airport to the venue is Kharkiv (HRK). But there are not many flights, so it may be more convenient for you to fly from Kyiv: Boryspil (KBP) or Zhulyany (IEV).

We will organize your trip from the airport to the venue:

1) If you fly to Kharkiv: the trip will take around 2-3 hours (250 UAH ~ 9 EUR, one way);

2) If you fly to Kyiv: the trip will take around 6-7 hours (300 UAH ~ 11 EUR, one way).

If your group will be coming by private bus please inform us about your approximate arrival time to the venue.

Ukrainian participants, please plan your trip to Sumy. The trip from the venue to Sumy is around 2 hours (180 UAH ~ 7 EUR, one way).

Group leaders: before buying any tickets for your groups, please contact Larisa Kondratenko (larisa.kondratenko.cei@gmail.com) and provide her information about your group travel plans (means, place of arrival, timing, prices). She will consult you about the best travel solutions and will help you to arrange your trip to the venue.

The organizers will reimburse 100% of participants’ travel costs from your home city to thevenue within the limits defined by Erasmus+ program.Maximum amounts to be reimbursed (EUR):

Georgia – 275

Greece – 275

Italy – 360

Latvia – 275

Moldova – 275

Ukraine – 20

Reimbursement of the travel costs will only be done after submitting all original tickets, receipt/invoices, boarding passes and later sending of the return documents and boarding passes. Save the boarding passes from your airport check in as well. Please, be aware that in case you loose any invoices or tickets we will not be able to reimburse the cost. Reimbursement will be done in EURO, regardless of the currency indicated on your ticket and receipt/invoice according to the official currency exchange rate of European Commission.

! Note: in case of higher travel cost, you will need to cover excess yourself.

Important: the reimbursement of travel costs for participants will be done via bank transfer to the bank account provided, upon presentation of all required original travel documents.

Group leaders: you are welcome to consult with us before purchasing the tickets for your group. Please make the copies (better scan or photo) of all the tickets and invoices before your arrival to the youth exchange. Email those to Larisa Kondratenko (larisa.kondratenko.cei@gmail.com).

A group leaders are responsible to provide a health insurance to all participants who does not have it. All participants are strongly advised to purchase private travel insurance, as the costs of private health care in Ukraine are high.

The national currency in Ukraine is Ukrainian Hryvnia. Euros and US dollars can easily be exchanged across Ukraine

In December in Sumy region is usually cold weather. It could be snowy. Average temperature on the dates of the youth exchange will be around 0 – -5 degree Celsius.Please check the weather forecast before coming and make sure that you have an appropriate cloth.

Youth exchange will be conducted in the resort in Sumy region situated near Okhtyrka town. Within the programme it’s planned to have trips to Sumy and Okhtyrka.

Sumy is in north Ukraine is situated between Kharkov and Kiev, the country’s two biggest cities. With a population of around 300,000 the city hosts its own cultural life, has several universities and is the economic centre of the Ukrainian Province called Sumy Region. Founded in 1655 Sumy is 361 years old, and combines great history with modern life. The central street, Soborna, after reconstruction in 2001, is an exact copy of the street’s image at the beginning of the twentieth century, and the centre of Sumy is dominated by three big cathedrals. Outside of the small old town the city consists of large apartment buildings built in soviet times. The city is very green, lies on both sides of the Psol River, and is surrounded by lakes and forests. A city of beautiful churches and historical sights, Sumy also has a wide choice of the restaurants, cafes, and nightclubs.

Hello. Доброго дня. (DO-bro-ho dnia’)Hi. Привіт. (prih-VEET) [informal] Вітаю. (vee-TAH-yoo) [formal]

How are you? Як справи? (yak SPRA-vy?) / Як ty? (yak ty?)

Fine, thank you. Добре, дякую. (DOH-breh, DYAH-koo-yoo)

Please. Будь ласка (bood’ LAH-skah)

Thank you. Дякую. (DYAH-koo-yoo)

Yes. Так. (tahk)

No. Ні. (nee)

Do you speak English? Ви розмовляєте англійською? (vih roz-mow-LA-yeh-teh an-HLEE-skoh-yoo?)

• Kulturas biedriba “Alternativa Realitate” (Latvia);
• Center for Euroinitiatives (Ukraine);
• Institute for Democratic Changes (Georgia);
• Sindesmos Sistima Kai Genia (Greece);
• YOUth Connect (Italy);
• Europe without Borders ADVIT (Moldova).

The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of European Union.

Anna Kovbasyuk – coordinator of the project from hosting organization Center for Euroinitiatives, info@eu.sumy.ua

Irina Kurpniece – coordinator of the project from applicant organization Kulturas biedriba “Alternativa Realitate”, tesstemona@gmail.com

Larisa Kondratenko – logistic support of the project from hosting organization Center for Euroinitiatives, larisa.kondratenko.cei@gmail.com