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Supported by Erasmus + Programme

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Open Digital Europe

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Out of the Box International develops a tailor made open data model and policies based on open digital environment which is transparent, accountable and secured.

Social Businesses

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Out of the Box International works with already existing hubs, various local and national stakeholders and social entrepreneurs in order to further develop and promote successful social entrepreneurship policies and practices.

Solidarity Europe

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Out of the Box International delivers expertise in the field of cohesive policies by using cross-sectorial approach and non-formal  education, in a global perspective.

European Project

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Out of the Box International  works further to enhance current cooperation in South East Europe region and actively supports the integration of all European countries in common European project.

EUROPEAN LIVING LIBRARY FOR YOUNG CITIZENS

April 11, 2023

During the past 3 years, Out Of The Box International has been actively involved in the implementation of a project “European Living Library for Young Citizens”. The project was supported by Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union and executed by an international consortium led by an International network CONNECT International (Belgium), and comprised of NGO Libero (Serbia), NGO Backslash (Spain), NGO TiPovej (Slovenia), NGO Interkultura (N. Macedonia), National Association of Youth Offices (Serbia), NGO Out of the Box (Belgium), Alumni Mandoulides (Greece), Municipality Quart de Poblet (Spain), Municipality Butel (N. Macedonia), City of Bijeljina (Bosnia-Herzegovina), and Public institute Young Dragons (Slovenia).

The main goal of the project was to bring European living libraries to various cities around Europe and involve citizens from all socio-economic groups in lively discussions on the future of Europe and the values that define it, thus contributing to the dismantling of barriers, prejudice, and stereotypes between them. The European living library represents a non-formal educational methodology in which readers interact with books that are actually people with unique identities and life stories ready to be shared with everyone who shows a willingness to listen. The living books that were involved in the project are representatives of four thematic units of people that are often facing discrimination or whose voice is not heard enough – migrants, the elderly, young people, and women.

The “European Living Library for Young Citizens” has visited six cities around Europe, including Thessaloniki, Bijeljina, Skopje, Valencia, Ljubljana, and Belgrade. The citizens of these cities, being of all ages, genders, and backgrounds were eager to “rent” our books and have fruitful discussions with them. These activities also enabled the representatives of municipalities and civil society organizations involved in the project to link up and arrange future cooperation on transnational actions and projects.

The main product of the project is a series of educational films where the living books share their opinions, views, and values. These films will be distributed to schools, youth centers, public institutions, and online so everyone will be able to learn from the stories of our living books. The full-length version of the film can be accessed by following this link.

You can learn more about the events organized within the project by accessing this PDF.

 

Why Out of the Box International

The seemingly ever-lasting depression of European economies has shaken the very foundations of many European societies. The shear rate of unemployment in Europe and the omnipresent environmental crisis coupled with the often frustratingly slow process of decision making in the EU, are calling for civil society actors to step in and fill the void.

In the aftermath of the 2008. economic crisis, the apprehension of falling under the spell of apathy of economic depression across the continent has not been easy to shake off. However, pinpointing the culprits for the current state of affairs on any particular EU decision maker is not the answer. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the current approach to the economic and environmental crisis hasn’t yet shown the affected citizens the light at the end of the tunnel.

As representatives of the civil society we feel the need to make our voice heard in the midst of the current debate on economic crisis. Being a social enterprise we offer new and feasible ideas in education and community work, creative cross-sectorial cooperation among different actors and strong networking coalitions to turn these dire economic challenges into possibilities through social entrepreneurship initiatives which aim at benefiting wide range of citizens, particularly vulnerable groups and those affected by the economic crisis.

Social entrepreneurship is a simple concept that has been put into practice by civil society actors for the benefit of a specific social group or people, and this is precisely what we want: to create projects and initiatives with fresh ideas in different policies, educational programs or tools, support businesses, empower cultural initiatives and offer different solutions to individuals, corporate bodies, everybody who believe that we can have more Creative, Innovative and Cohesive Europe.

 

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