EUnique

European Union is nowadays at a crossroad, divided between the need to remain faithful to its core democratic values and freedoms, maintaining an area of freedom and justice and the need to protect its citizens against the new terrorism and the rise of nationalistic leaders and parties that require less Europe and more power back to the nation states. In many European countries public discontent against traditional political parties is rising, and at the same time there is a growing consensus for anti‐establishment protest movements with populist undertones. In this cauldron of discontent, certain politicians are flourishing and even gaining power by portraying rights as protecting only the terrorist suspect or the asylum seeker at the expense of the safety, economic welfare, and cultural preferences of the presumed majority. They scapegoat refugees, immigrant communities, and minorities. Nativism, xenophobia, racism, and Islamophobia are on the rise.

Europe has always struggled with conflicting visions of its identity, of a unifying idea that will erase national particularities, a generous idea with such irreducible values. We are witnessing now, after a long process of integration, a return to instinctive national sentiments. In the face of fear, people want to feel safe; hence a leader who can promise security and protection is gathering the popular support.

This is why EU commission and European leaders have decided to meet on 17 November 2017 in Gothenburg to discuss the future role of education and culture in strengthening the sense of belonging together, European identity and being part of a cultural community. So, the reflection about the future of our Union also entails a reflection on the strength of our common identity. Having all this in mind, the desired impact is to strength the sense of belonging together in order to prevent the flaring-up of populism and xenophobia and the risk of violent radicalisation. Consequently, the main aim of “EUnique project” is to equip youth workers with competences and methods needed for transferring the common fundamental values of our society in their local
context, particularly to the hard to reach young people.

The project will use non formal learning methodology including methods such as: ice breakers, energizers, name games, reflection groups, working into intercultural subgroups, facilitated discussion, creative presentations, simulation, case study, and
debates.

The project will involve 14 participants, 2 for each of the Partner Countries and 4 for Spain between 18-35 years old. The project is implemented by 6 organisations and financed by the European Commission through Erasmus+ programme.

For the participants’ selection the following criteria will be taken into consideration:

• Mix of existing and experienced youth workers but also youth workers who are new or newish to the topic;
• Demonstration of social sensibilities (socially active youth workers/leaders with a role in local communities and interested in transferring the common fundamental values of our society in their local context);
• Experienced or interested in working with Erasmus+ programme;
• The participants will have the following tasks:
  – To complete the Participant’s mobility report sent by EU
  – Make at least one publication or article, presentation or other/online (on  organization website, Facebook or other social network)
  – Everything else that you could do or organize as a dissemination of the project  will be warmly welcomed and appreciated from us.
• We encourage participants of all eligible ages to take part in our project.
• Regarding gender balance, we shall take care that the proportion of females and males participating to be close to 50%/50%.
• The main selection criteria will be participants’ motivation.