Gradimo mostove: Erasmus+ projekt v Sloveniji

V svetu, polnem sovražnosti in delitev, ljudje potrebujejo priložnosti, da se združijo pod skupnim simbolom. In kateri simbol bi bil boljši za združevanje kot zastava Evropske unije preko programa Erasmus+? Medtem ko mnogi okoli sebe gradijo zidove, projekti Erasmus+ ponujajo edinstveno priložnost za povezovanje z ljudmi iz vse Evrope, učenje o kulturi, raznolikosti, sprejemanju, manjšinah in še veliko več skozi neformalno izobraževanje.

Eden takšnih navdihujočih projektov, ki je potekal v Sloveniji, se je imenoval Gradimo mostove. Kot že ime nakazuje, je bil cilj projekta zbližati ljudi skozi umetnost, ustvarjalnost in skupne izkušnje.

Udeleženci iz sedmih različnih držav — Slovenije, Madžarske, Estonije, Romunije, Portugalske, Poljske in Hrvaške — so se zbrali, zastopali različna ozadja, prepričanja in družbene sloje. Projekt je bil osredotočen na solidarnost z ljudmi, ki se v vsakdanjem življenju soočajo z diskriminacijo in marginalizacijo, vključno z brezdomci, starejšimi in različnimi manjšinskimi skupinami. Namen projekta ni bil le učenje o vključevanju, ampak tudi zagotavljanje novih priložnosti za manj privilegirane.

Eden glavnih namenov projekta Gradimo mostove je bil ozaveščanje o privilegijih, ki jih mnogi med nami jemljemo za samoumevne. Skozi razprave smo se pogovarjali o izzivih, s katerimi se soočajo marginalizirane skupine v naših državah, kar je obogatilo naše razumevanje in nas spodbudilo k dejanjem. Obiskali smo več zavetišč za brezdomce in domov za starejše, kjer smo plesali, peli, ustvarjali umetnine, kot so akvariji in zapestnice prijateljstva, ter se vključevali v iskrene pogovore. Te dejavnosti so udeležencem omogočile globlje razumevanje težav, s katerimi se te skupine soočajo, kar je izkušnjo naredilo tako bogato kot tudi ponižno.

Poleg tega smo imeli priložnost obiskati Radio Romic, kjer smo se seznanili z zgodovino in pomenom Romskega ljudstva in njihovega jezika. Običaji in način življenja romske skupnosti so naše udeležence globoko navdušili ter spodbudili novo spoštovanje in občudovanje njihove kulture.

Ko smo se seznanili s socialnimi izzivi, smo začeli delati na končnem izdelku projekta. Udeleženci so bili razdeljeni v sedem ustvarjalnih skupin, od katerih je vsaka imela edinstveno nalogo.

• Video skupina je pripravila uvodni video projekta, ki je predstavil cilje in delo organizacije.
• Gledališka skupina je razvila in izvedla igro o iskanju skupnih točk in kako dobra komunikacija reši dan.
• Umetniška skupina je ustvarila čudovita umetniška dela, ki so na svoj način interpretirala temo projekta.
• Podcast skupina je posnela več zanimivih pogovorov o različnih temah, povezanih s projektom.
• Novinarska skupina je sestavila podrobno brošuro, ki ponuja ključne informacije o projektu, dostopne vsem.
• Šiviljska skupina je reciklirala donirana oblačila iz mladinskega centra, jim vdihnila novo življenje in oblikovala kostume za gledališko skupino.
• Skupina za družbena omrežja je skrbela za spletno prepoznavnost in predstavitev projekta na različnih platformah.
• Fotografska skupina je dokumentirala celoten projekt in pripravila razstavo za javnost.

Skupaj so te ekipe trdo delale in ustvarile smiselne in trajne izdelke, ki so odražali srce in dušo projekta Gradimo mostove. Končni rezultati niso bili le impresivni, temveč tudi globoko ganljivi, kar je pustilo pomemben pečat na vseh udeležencih.

Projekt Gradimo mostove ni bil zgolj Erasmus+ aktivnost; bil je nepozabna izkušnja, ki je spodbujala solidarnost, ustvarjalnost in razumevanje preko nacionalnih in kulturnih meja. Za mnoge udeležence je bil to enkratna priložnost, ki jo bodo zagotovo cenili še leta. S tem projektom smo resnično gradili mostove—tako med seboj kot s skupnostmi, ki smo jim služili.

Partnerji v projektu:

SUPER TINERI (Romunija)

TRY theatre (Hrvaška)

Associação Nó Górdio (Portugalska)

Közgazdasági Politechnikum (Madžarska)

I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Henryka Sienkiewicza w Łańcucie (Poljska)

Pilv (Estonija)

Building Bridges: An Erasmus+ Project in Slovenia

In a world filled with hostilities and divisions, people need opportunities to unite under a common banner. And what better banner to unite under than the European Union flag through the Erasmus+ program? While many are building walls around themselves, Erasmus+ projects offer a unique chance to bond with people from all over Europe, learning about culture, diversity, acceptance, minorities, and much more through informal education.

One such inspiring project, held in Slovenia, was aptly named Building Bridges. As the name suggests, the goal of the project was to bring people closer together through art, creativity, and shared experiences.

Participants from seven different countries—Slovenia, Hungary, Estonia, Romania, Portugal, Poland, and Croatia—came together, representing diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and social classes. The project focused on solidarity with those facing discrimination and marginalization in everyday life, including the homeless, the elderly, and various minority groups. The aim was not only to learn about inclusion but also to provide new opportunities for people less fortunate.

One of the core purposes of Building Bridges was to raise awareness about the privileges many of us take for granted. Through discussions, we reflected on the challenges faced by marginalized groups in our own countries, which enriched our understanding and inspired us to take action. We visited several shelters for the homeless and homes for the elderly, where we performed dances, sang, created art such as aquariums and friendship bracelets, and engaged in heartfelt conversations. These activities allowed participants to gain a deeper appreciation for the difficulties these groups face, making the experience both enriching and humbling.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit Radio Romic, where we learned about the history and significance of the Romani people and their language. The customs and way of life of the Romani community deeply resonated with the participants, fostering a newfound respect and appreciation for their culture.

After familiarizing ourselves with the various social challenges, we began working on the final project. Participants were divided into seven creative groups, each with a distinct focus.

• The video group produced an introductory video for the project, showcasing the goals and the work of the organization.
• The theatre group developed and performed a play about finding common ground and demonstrating how good communication can save the day.
• The art group created beautiful artwork, interpreting the project’s themes in their unique way.
• The podcast group recorded several insightful discussions on different sub-topics related to the project.
• The journalism group put together a detailed brochure, providing key information about the project for others to read and learn from.
• The sewing group upcycled donated clothes from the youth centre, giving old garments new life while also designing costumes for the theatre performance.
• The social media group was tasked with ensuring the project’s online visibility, showcasing all the activities through various platforms.
• The photo group documented the entire project and curated an exhibition for the participants and the public.

Together, these teams worked hard to create meaningful and lasting products that reflected the heart and spirit of Building Bridges. The final results were not only impressive but also deeply moving, leaving a significant impact on everyone involved.

The Building Bridges project was more than just an Erasmus+ activity; it was an unforgettable experience that fostered solidarity, creativity, and understanding across national and cultural lines. For many participants, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they will treasure for years to come. Through this project, we truly built bridges—both between ourselves and with the communities we served.

Project partners:

SUPER TINERI (Romania)

TRY theatre (Croatia)

Associação Nó Górdio (Portugal)

Közgazdasági Politechnikum (Hungary)

I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Henryka Sienkiewicza w Łańcucie (Poland)

Pilv (Estonia)