Dates: 14th-23rd July 2025
Location: Pińczów, Poland

The ACT NOW project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, is an initiative designed to promote awareness, compassion, and tolerance in youth work. It brings together youth workers from diverse backgrounds to discuss and learn effective strategies for combating discrimination and fostering inclusive societies. The project focuses on addressing issues such as gender, ethnicity, body image, religion, and social exclusion. The program will offer comprehensive training in non-formal education methods, equipping participants with the practical tools necessary to engage young people in these critical conversations. Through workshops, group activities, and collaborative learning, the project empowers youth workers to become active agents of change in their local communities.

Eligibility Criteria
The ACT NOW project is open to youth workers, educators, trainers, and facilitators who are committed to combating discrimination and promoting inclusivity. The following criteria apply:

– 18+ years old (No upper age limit)
– Participants must be from one of the partner countries:
– Poland
– Italy
– St. Maarten
– Portugal
– Hungary
– Croatia
– **Active involvement in youth work** (professionally or as a volunteer)
– No prior experience in Non-Formal Education (NFE) is required, but participants must be eager to learn and apply innovative educational methods.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the training course, participants will be equipped with:
– Knowledge of various forms of discrimination (gender, ethnicity, body image, religion) and their impact on youth.
– Practical skills in designing and delivering non-formal education sessions that engage young people on topics like diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
– Confidence to facilitate discussions about discrimination, stereotypes, and inclusion in diverse youth groups.
– Ability to integrate anti-discrimination strategies into regular youth work practices and organizational approaches.
– Enhanced intercultural communication skills and ability to create inclusive environments for youth.

Trainers
– Katka Schrager: Katka is a highly experienced trainer and teacher specializing in Non-Formal Education (NFE). She holds an MA in general education, along with diplomas in biology, natural science, English language didactics, and pedagogical therapy. Currently working in an alternative school in Warsaw, Katka has implemented many Erasmus+ projects across Europe and is a PhD candidate focusing on NFE projects that raise awareness against discrimination.

– Jasmin Prišć: Jasmin has a background in English Language and Pedagogy and has developed a deep interest in NFE. He has worked with youth and children in various pedagogical settings and actively participates in local youth activities. Jasmin is passionate about non-formal methods such as drama, games, and role-playing, and volunteers at various sport events in Croatia. He is also an experienced Erasmus+ trainer.

Accommodation
The participants will be staying, eating, and learning at Sabat Bełk Agrotouristic Guest House located in Bełk, near Pińczów in the Świętokrzyskie region of Poland.
The accommodation is simple but comfortable, and it is not a hotel. Rooms will be shared by 2-3 participants, and some rooms have shared bathrooms. Alternatively, participants may stay in huts designed for 4-5 people. The venue is situated in a peaceful, rural setting, ideal for fostering group interaction and learning.

Travel Reimbursement
Travel expenses to and from Poland will be reimbursed in accordance with the Erasmus+ funding rules. The reimbursement amounts are based on travel distances from the participant’s home country to Pińczów, Poland.

– 50 EUR – Poland (for green travel options)
– 210 EUR – Hungary
– 309 EUR- Italy, Croatia
– 395 EUR- Portugal
– 1500 EUR- St. Maarten

Important Travel Information:
– All participants will be picked up from the **Main Bus Station in Pińczów** (Legionistów 26 street) at 6 PM on 14th July 2025.
– On the last day, 23rd July 2025, participants will be returned to the bus station in Pińczów at approximately 9:00-9:30 AM.
– The travel to the venue cannot be done independently since there is no public transportation to the accommodation. A shuttle bus will be arranged, with a **15 EUR** deduction from each travel reimbursement to cover transportation from Pińczów to the venue.

How to Travel
To ensure a smooth travel experience, participants are advised to:

1. Consult the organizers before purchasing tickets**. Do not buy your tickets before approval from the project team.
2. Travel to Pińczów:
– From Warsaw: Take a train from Warsaw Central Station to Kielce, then transfer to a mini-bus to Pińczów.
– From Kraków: Take a mini-bus from Kraków MDA Bus Station to Pińczów.
– From Katowice: Take a mini-bus from Katowice International Bus Station to Pińczów.

Detailed travel schedules for trains and buses are available on the official websites.

Intercultural Night
Participants are invited to showcase their culture during the **Intercultural Night**. You can bring:

– Videos, pictures, and postcards of your country’s landscapes, cities, or historical sites.
– Anecdotes, funny stories, or performances (songs, dances, or mimes) related to your country’s culture.
– Traditional food and other gastronomic specialties to share with the group.
– Information about your sending NGO to introduce the organization you’re representing.

What to Bring
Make sure to bring:
– Valid travel and medical insurance (e.g., European Health Insurance Card). The host will not cover personal health expenses.
– Passport/ID  and all **boarding passes, travel tickets, and invoices**.
– Towel
– Warm clothes, as the weather in Poland can be unpredictable.
– Pen, pencil, and notebook for note-taking.
– Goods for the intercultural night, including any cultural items you’d like to share.

Note that the closest store is about 7 km away, so it’s better to bring anything you might need.

Emergencies
For emergencies, the international emergency number is 112.
Specific local emergency numbers include:
– Police: 997
– Fire Department: 998
– Ambulance: 999

Host Organization:
– CreActive- Email: creactive.online@gmail.com Phone: +48 692 211 041

Partner Organizations are from Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal

Application form is available HERE