The Flute: Remote Tandem Backpacking

<< Background >>The overarching motivation and reason for applying for the project was MMCCglobal's (lead-organisation's) wish to engage young Europeans in its activities in Afghanistan and planned expansion to more countries in the global south. As a result of Covid-19, travel had become limited which changes the way youth connect to the world. As travelling contributes to developing youth identity , strengthens self-esteem and opens the minds and souls of young people, and with the limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the idea behind the project essentially was to give young people a digital alternative and to thereby mutually explore if and how it is possible to connect, travel, learn and become virtual friends with young peers in countries often forgotten. << Objectives >>The objectives of the project were:- to stimulate the interest and curiosity of European youth about other cultures and lives of their peers around the globe, through a remote exchange program- to encourage young people in Europe and beyond to be part of initiating positive change- to provide tools and methods to create and facilitate opportunities for young people to develop social skills, sense of belonging in the global society and to enable them to grow to their fullpotential- to strengthen the capacities of young people to have meaningful active and productive communication for mutual understanding through the production of digital and artistic contentsThe project will directly involved 20 European youth & a number of peers from 4 countries in the Global South (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Yemen, Ethiopia) in a global youth network able to share competencies and ideas with a peer-to-peer dynamic and to activate talents, resources and capacities.<< Implementation >>The main activities in the project included:-TPM1, the project take-off meeting, held in Hundested, Denmark-Invitation-1 for youth to be trained to be trainers-Mobility No.1: A Training Course (training of trainers) that took place in Landberg, Southern Germany, -Invitation, selection and registration of youth for the 4 (online) country- and travel groups-Connecting with focal points and their selected teams of youth in the associated countries -Create digital ID book for and with participating youth -Developing and preparing digital platform and –forums for the youth to meet, exchange, interact and later exhibit the result of their travels-Preparing content for the webinars-Webinar-1: Introduction of countries and participants-Webinar-2: Theme: Coffee & Tea-Webinar-3: Theme: Art-Webinar-4: Theme: Peace-Remote (online) Backpacking – online interaction between the webinars-Organize souvenirs to be sent to Europe-Invite and register additional new participants for the live Youth Exchange-Mobility No. 2: A Youth Exchange in Berlin-TPM-2, partner status meeting in Hamburg – incl an extra youth exchange and workshop for the German youth participants-Creation of digital exhibitions including select and prepare content and materials-Improve website and design this to be the host of the digital exhibition-Multiplier Event No 1: In German -Multiplier Event No 2: In Danish -Multiplier Event No 3: In Dutch-TPM-3, Final partner meeting in DenmarkPhotos and videos of all activities implemented are available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/w3f9jpfqmav0ky1sd0wl2/h?rlkey=i4cr41v335nbi48fxlexc8d9w&dl=0<< Results >>-TPM1, the project take-off meeting, held in Hundested, DenmarkOutput: Partners got to know each other, Detailed timeline, Participant profile developed, Mobility-1 (TTL-1) schedule draft, Management monthly meeting plan agreed-Invitation-1 for youth to be trained to be trainersOutput: 13 youth selected for TTL-1 – Training of trainers in Landsberg (incl 3 online participants)-TTL-1/Mobility No.1: A Training Course (training of trainers) in Landberg, GermanyOutput: 13 trainers (incl 3 online participants) trained and introduced to travel buddies in associated countries. Cultural sensitively training provided. Plan for invitation of travel participants developed by the youth. Team-keepers (country responsible youth) selected and responsibilities divided among the youth. Communication plan including modes of communication and structure of the platform developed and agreed-Invitation, selection and registration of youth for the 4 (online) country- and travel groupsOutput: Total 13 youth (+5 organizers) registered for each up to two country- and travel groups-Connecting focal points and their selected teams of youth in the associated countries Output: Contact established between European travel groups and their travel buddies -Create digital ID book for and with participating youth Output: Digital ID book developed and created-Developing and preparing digital platform and –forums for the youth to meet, exchange, interact and later exhibit the result of their travelsOutput: Website domain: theflute.org obtained and framed to be the digital base for the project. Multiple SoMe groups active and connecting the youth. -Preparing content for the webinarsOutput: Invitation with dates and subjects for all webinars -Webinar-1: Introduction of countries and participantsOutput: The project idea plus Youth, Countries and Travel buddies introduced-Webinar-2: Theme: Coffee & TeaOutput: Coffee and Tea traditions in all 4 countries introduced-Webinar-3: Theme: ArtOutput: Various arts and artistic expressions in the 4 countries introduced-Webinar-4: Theme: PeaceOutput: Meaning of Peace exchanged among all participants in both Europe and associated countries-Remote (online) Backpacking – online interaction between the webinarsOutput: Youth got to know each other, learned from each other and became friends-Organize souvenirs to be sent to EuropeOutput: Souvenirs (from Afghanistan and Ethiopia) received in Europe. Cultural learning about logistic challenges and consequences of conflicts obtained.-Invite and register additional new participants for the live Youth ExchangeOutput: Total 32 participants registered for the Berlin exchange-TTL-2 (Mobility No. 2): Youth Exchange in BerlinOutput: Youth learned from each other. Frame for design of digital exhibition developed, Culture and Food of the four countries (Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and Ethiopia) introduced.-TPM-2, partner status meeting in Hamburg – incl an extra youth exchange and workshop for the German youth participantsOutput: Project status conducted and plan for remaining project period and -activities developed. Digital exhibition and website (both in progress) reviewedOnline Event conceptualized by the German youth invited for the meeting. -Creation of digital exhibitions including select and prepare content and materialsOutput: Digital exhibition with 4 country doors to rooms with interactive elements -Improve website and design this to be the host of the digital exhibitionOutput: Website ‘changed’ to become a ‘House of Flute’ and host of the digital exhibition-Multiplier Event No 1: In GermanOutput: 100 Germans in all ages introduced to the Flute project and all its contentThe team of young German participants who organized the event gained amazing skills -Multiplier Event No 2: In Danish Output: 80 Danes, majority youth, introduced to the Flute project and all its contentContact for potential future collaboration with a boarding school established-Multiplier Event No 3: In DutchOutput: 45 Dutch people enjoyed an amazing cultural live and online event and were introduced to the Flute project and all its content.-TPM-3, Final partner meeting in DenmarkOutput: Project successfully completed