Youth on the Heritage Path Erasmus Project

Project Title

Youth on the Heritage Path

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Cultural heritage/European Year of Cultural Heritage

Project Summary

The main objective of the YOTHPath project was to discover the cultural similarities between the partners, as an understanding of other cultures increases intercultural dialogue and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life, such as non-discrimination, tolerance and empathy, which are basic values of European citizenship.
Throughout the project process, students from participating schools from six countries sought to reach the international ICH of humanity through interaction with their peers in different countries.
Considering the UNESCO list of ICH, we decided which countries had oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe, or the knowledge and skills to produce similar traditional crafts. With the help of the e-twinning portals and School gate away, we contact schools with similar age groups, including interests, needs and corresponding school subjects.
Six Training and Learning Teaching Activities were carried out as foreseen in the initial design of the project. However, the arrival of the pandemic forced us to request the postponement of the execution for another 12 months in the hope that the missing mobilities could be face-to-face, which is why the project ran for 36 months. During the period when the project was stopped at the height of the pandemic, the partners organized a walk in each of their countries on the Europe day in order to keep alive the spirit of the project and the connected partners. Three LTT thematic activities under the ICH themes were decided during the ICH theme selection workshop at the first LTT. Students from participating schools gave presentations and demonstrations on the implementations of the ICH element in relation to the theme and a cultural feast was organized by the host countries showing the similarities between the cultures of these six participants. Regarding the thematic activities of the last LTT in Italy, with the theme Food and Beverage, the planned activities were all carried out in virtual mode, since the duration of the pandemic made it impossible to travel to that country in safety. It is also important to mention that for this mobility, the project coordinator suggested to the partners the creation of an activity not foreseen in the initial project design: a gastronomic tour of each country. All partners joined and it was considered that the project stood to gain from this improvement.
A logo and poster competition, Erasmus Wall, “E-wall”, e-pal matching among students, thematic photography exhibition “Yours is Mine, the thematic documentary“ Once upon a time”, thematic workshop, Thematic ICH Parties, the ICH Thematic Booklet and the magazine “Youth on the Path of Heritage” were the project’s activities.
Cross-curriculum materials, learning and teaching resources, different types of research will be used during the project period. Training materials for teaching small-scale learning, peer work, classroom management methods, brainstorming methods, critical thinking, and problem-solving methods will also be used to achieve greater impact.
The people in the region who were inspired by our project will behave better and be non-discriminatory towards immigrants and refugees, and this will contribute to social inclusion and the happiness of our societies. Tourism and traditional artisans indirectly benefited from ICH’s awareness and curiosity at home and in different countries.
In the context of national and European levels, the YOTHPath project contributed to values such as non-discrimination, tolerance and empathy that are basic values of European citizenship, facilitating European cooperation in collaborative methods.

Project Website

https://sites.google.com/view/youthontheheritagepath/home

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 159113 Eur

Project Coordinator

Agrupamento de Escolas de Frazão, Paços de Ferreira & Country: PT

Project Partners

• Duzce Cumhuriyet High School
• Liceo Scientifico Statale “G. Galilei”
• Liceul Auto “Traian Vuia”
• Kauno rajono Raudondvario gimnazija
• Instituto Educación Secundaria La Rosaleda