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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.

The Covid-19 outbreak has affected all social segments, especially vulnerable social groups, with consequences that need to be addressed to mitigate their long-term effects. Engaging youth, whose prospects and mental well-being have been affected the most, is key to support the recovery of EU’s social fabric after such an unprecedented crisis which has strongly impacted societies across the globe. Before the outbreak, more than 50% of young Europeans perceived themselves as socio-economically marginalized based on geographical or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, etc. Already excluded from democratic life, youth now faces a higher risk of misinformation and infodemics as an obstacle to their civic participation. Conversely, a sustainable post-Covid-19 scenario requires the engagement of all sectors of society, particularly youth, whose engagement can provide great support to many other vulnerable segments of society (elderly people, people with special needs, children, students etc.), e.g. by sharing correct information or volunteering.

Youth’s engagement can also be very effective to encourage the adoption of more sustainable lifestyles in the local community, at a time when attention to the environment is becoming more important than ever to ensure the health and well being of all living beings.

With a view to enhancing young people’s preparedness to respond to such social emergencies, the action addresses these challenges by promoting youth inclusive participation in EU’s civic life, networking among youth, stakeholders and policy makers, and fostering youth’s sense of belonging to both their local community and the EU, by supporting their project ideas to contribute to the reconstruction of inclusive and greener societies.

The project REBUILDing society through youth engagement will empower youth organisations/informal groups of young people, and underrepresented young people and enhance their democratic participation, dialogue, civic engagement and networking at local and EU level to support the rebuilding of inclusive and greener societies able to better adapt and respond to the challenges of Covid-19 emergency. The action will first map social solidarity and environmental/green lifestyle initiatives carried out by youth organisations/informal groups during and in the aftermath of the crisis, and strengthen their capacities by stimulating an exchange of good practices and developing local and transnational networks, set-up through the arrangement of local round-tables and a Youth-net forum, bringing together 48 members from local networks in 6 implementation countries. Building on the good practices presented as Webzines and on the REBUILD Toolbox & Youth Manual, 168 underrepresented young people will be trained in project design and implementation and awareness-raising campaigning to foster innovative forms of civic participation. Young people divided in teams and guided by Youth Ambassadors will be directly involved in implementing their own initiatives, and in promoting them through the REBUILDCampaigns during National Contests. A winning team will be selected in each country during Local Festivals reaching out to 100 participants per country. The involved young people will engage in dialogue with foreign peers during Online Thematic Fora, an online mobility addressed to Youth Ambassadors, and during the International Youth Summit, which will be attended by Youth Ambassadors, winning youth teams and local network representatives, and during which the Strategy Paper containing policy recommendations will be presented to EU policy makers and stakeholders. REBUILD will thus connect different youth stakeholders, fostering their sense of belonging to the EU and giving them a voice in the creation of more inclusive and greener societies.

The project will be implemented by 7 partners from Italy (CESIE), Martinique – France (D’Antilles & D’Ailleurs), Greece (KMOP), Spain (AIIJ), Lithuania (Active Youth Association), Cyprus (CARDET) and Belgium (OTB). 

The project is co-financed by the Erasmus+ KA3 European Youth Together Programme of the European Commission.

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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