DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITIES

YouNet is an association that has been active for years in promoting local and European volunteering, active citizenship and intercultural dialogue. The organisation develops and coordinates youth and non-formal education activities (language tandems, training courses on Europe, awareness-raising activities in schools, thematic workshops) as well as socio-educational, cultural, environmental, sporting and recreational initiatives, often in peripheral, rural or disadvantaged areas. The activities aim to promote awareness of European values and opportunities, youth participation and solidarity, while strengthening young people’s sense of belonging to the European project.
In collaboration with local authorities and secondary schools, YouNet organises training activities on the European dimension, the functioning of institutions (including through simulations), intercultural dialogue and international volunteering, as well as on topics such as non-discrimination and sustainable lifestyles. The aim is to foster meaningful dialogue among young people, increase their democratic involvement and improve the mechanisms for their participation.
In this context, the involvement of ESC volunteers plays a central role: they bring a “piece of Europe” to local communities and become ambassadors for volunteering among their peers.
The volunteers’ activities focus on volunteering, EU promotion, active participation, intercultural dialogue and social inclusion, with a particular focus on young people with fewer opportunities. The culture of solidarity is the common thread, divided into three dimensions: European solidarity (exchange and cooperation between young people of different nationalities), intercultural solidarity (activities with and for young migrants or young people of foreign origin) and social solidarity (initiatives for young people with socio-economic difficulties or experiences of exclusion).

Volunteers will be supervised by tutors and staff and will support the organisation in local and communication activities. Tasks may include:

• planning and managing language tandems;
• preparing content and games for European awareness and information workshops in schools and youth centres;
• supporting simulations on the functioning of European institutions;
• preparing and promoting outdoor education activities;
• logistical organisation and support for European festivals and initiatives (e.g. Europe Day, European Day of Languages, Lux Prize screenings);
• contacts and promotion for orientation and information events (BeMatricola, Career Day, volunteering fairs);
• design and organisation of activities for the “Conversazioni d’Europa” (Conversations of Europe) exhibition in collaboration with Europe Direct;
• promotion and networking for Erasmus+, ESC and other European opportunities;
• creation of content for digital communication (social media, website, information materials, photos, videos);
• participation in research and analysis for new communication strategies.

Volunteers will also be able to develop cultural projects based on their skills and interests, with constant support from the tutor. In previous years, for example, workshops on photography, body painting, cultural walks, guided tours and online activities during the pandemic have been organised. Italian language courses with a non-formal approach are also planned, in collaboration with the University of Bologna.

The role of volunteers will be progressively tailored to their skills and aspirations. After an initial familiarisation phase, they will be able to take on various roles:

• event planning, contributing to conception, logistics, promotion and networking;
• analysis and research, to evaluate the effectiveness of activities and adapt them to target groups;
• communication and media management, preparing content and graphics, updating social media and websites;
• group management, supporting reception, ice-breaking, team building and evaluation.

The activities will be accompanied by continuous training using non-formal methodologies and peer-to-peer education. The use of Youthpass will allow volunteers to enhance the skills they have acquired and strengthen the European dimension of the programme.