INFO-PACK: YE “Splashes of Diversity”, part 2 (LATVIA, 01.-10.03.2018.)

The international youth exchange in Latvia is the second 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 first step – youth exchange in Ukraine at December, 2017 we discovered about the definition of culture in general, learned about participants’ cultures and intercultural communication. The final activity of the youth exchange was theatre production which participants had created by themselves and presented to the local public in the school of Okhtyrka city, Ukraine.

Second part of the project is youth exchange in Latvia which will take place on March 2018. 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.

A draft of the programme will be added soon. 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. with fewer opportunities (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 3-5 people in the adventure park Dimantu kalns (Rembate, Lielvarde region, Latvia).

Food: you will have three meals and two coffee-breaks a day. Please, inform about your food habits and needs (vegetarian, vegan etc).

Working language: English.

Internet Access: free wifi is available at the venue.

Plugs: the type of the plugs in Latvia 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, personal hygiene stuff etc;
• Additionally we will inform you about the things which you need to prepare and bring for the programme elements.

Participants from Greece, Italy do not need visa to Latvia. Please, do not forget your international passports!

Participants from Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia with BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS do not need visa to Latvia. If you don’t have biometric passport, you can get it now before coming to Latvia, otherwise you have to get visa in nearest Latvia embassy in your country based of our invitation. In that case we will need your personal dates as soon as possible to get visas in time. Groupleader has to collect personal dates of participants for visa and send it to coordinator of the project Irina Kurpniece (email: altreality@inbox.lv)

More information about visas to Latvia please see here:

http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/consular-information/countries-whose-citizens-may-enter-latvia-without-a-visa

!!! Please note that foreigners entering and residing in the Republic of Latvia must have a valid health insurance policy, which guarantees the covering of expenses related to health care in the Republic of Latvia, including the transportation back to the country of residence in the case of serious illness.

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

Health insurance

 

While crossing the border you might be asked to provide information about the hosting organization:

Kulturas biedrība “Alternatīvā Realitāte”

Daugavmalas 34-27, Saulkalne, Salaspils pag., LV-2117

+371 22189430, +371 29467064

 

The day of arrival to Latvia: 1 March 2018

The day of departure: 10 March 2018

How to get to Latvia:

The closest airport to the venue is Riga airport (RIX) (approx. 1 h 30 min from venue).

We will organize your trip from the airport to the venue (~ 10 EUR one way). You don’t have to pay for it, we do it by ourself.

Transfer from Riga to venue (Riga time) at March 1st:

12:00 Riga, Lielgabalu street 4 (square area) (see map)  – we collect 3 of Greek group (Nagia, Dimitra, Nikos – arrived at Feb 28), Daniel Di Edoardo (IT), 5 of Moldova group (Anastasy, Maria, Mariana, Daniel, Irina – arrived at Feb 28) and 2 of Latvia group (Julia, Natalia)

14:30 Riga airport – we collect 5 of Italy group and 2 of Latvia group (Den, Alex)

18:15 Riga airport – we collect 1 of Moldova group (Gabriela), 3 of Greek group (Angelos, Vaios, Rexhina), 2 of Latvia group (Daniel, Polina)

Ukraine group is coming by private bus.

Georgia arrival time will be detailed soon.

 

Group leaders: before buying any tickets for your groups, please contact Irina Kurpniece (altreality@inbox.lv) 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 the venue within the limits defined by Erasmus+ program.

Maximum amounts to be reimbursed (EUR):

Georgia – 360

Greece – 360

Italy – 275

Moldova – 275

Ukraine – 275

Latvia – 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 Irina Kurpniece (altreality@inbox.lv).

The national currency in Latvia is EURO. Other currencies you can echabge in currency exchange points in Riga airport or in any Latvian bank.

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

Youth exchange will be conducted in the resort in Rembate near by Lielvarde city, about 1h 30 min drive from Riga. Within the programme it’s planned to have trips to Riga and Jurmala.

Riga is capital of Latvia. With a population of around 800,000 the city hosts its own cultural life, has several universities and is the economic centre of central Latvia region called Vidzeme. Founded in 1201 Riga is 817 years old, and combines great history with modern life. A city of beautiful churches and historical sights, Sumy also has a wide choice of the restaurants, cafes, and nightclubs.

• 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 Splashes of Diversity was financed with the support of European Commission’s “Erasmus+: Youth in Action” administered in Latvia by the Agency for International Programs for Youth. This publication reflects only the author’s views, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained there in.