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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.

TC GROUND: Green Re- connection in Urban Districts

July 29, 2023

The OTB participants at TC GROUND delivered by CESIE, had an extraordinary 8-day youth exchange taking place in the enchanting Eco Villaggio Solidale Fiori di campo in Maria di Cinisi, close to Palermo, Italy. From July 22nd to July 30th, 2023, this event brought together young minds from across the world to promote a greener, more connected urban future.

✨ Unveiling the Eco Villaggio Solidale Fiori di campo ✨

A place with a compelling history – once confiscated by the mafia but now proudly managed by the Cooperativa Sociale Libera – Mente Onlus since 2012. Just 10 minutes from the beach, it provided the perfect backdrop for fostering inspiration and nurturing connections with nature.

✨Championing Nature-Based Environmental Education✨

GROUND focused on enhancing the competencies of youth workers in nature-based environmental education. The goal was to inspire active participation, inclusion, empowerment, and engagement in disadvantaged urban areas. By harnessing publicly available green spaces, the participants aimed to (re)connect the youth with environmental concerns.

✨A Global Collaboration of Minds✨

OTB as a partner organisation of the project sent three inspiring young workers representing Belgium: Ángeles Madueño, Marta Moreno, and Enrique Martos. They joined 35 participants from 10 countries, including Italy, Iceland, Romania, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Sweden, France, and Luxembourg. Together, they created a diverse and dynamic community of change-makers.

✨Unforgettable Experiences✨

The journey was filled with enriching activities that transcended borders and cultures. Participants savoured the mouthwatering flavours of Sicily, relishing dishes like Pasta n’casciata, a Sicilian baked maccheroni preparation that comprises fried eggplant, ragù, and caciocavallo cheese. During intercultural nights, they shared their cherished traditions, fostering a sense of unity and understanding. In addition, a captivating highlight of the exchange was the trip to Palermo, the vibrant and unique capital of Sicily providing participants with first-hand experience of cultural diversity fueling the participants’ dedication to sustainable change.

✨Empowering Minds✨

From sharing good practices to engaging in transformative workshops, the participants found innovative ways to (re)connect urban districts with nature. The training equipped them with the knowledge, competencies and skills to inspire environmental stewardship and youth engagement in the green transition.

✨The OTB Verdict: Highly Recommended✨

Participants from OTB fervently recommend these youth exchanges, as they witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact on personal growth and professional development. From building resilience to adaptability to enhancing soft skills and competencies, TC GROUND leaves a lasting mark on all people involved.

 

Join us on the journey of a lifetime as we continue to empower youth workers, (re)connect urban districts with nature, and shape a greener and more inclusive future for our planet. Together, we can make a difference!

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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