Grapes of Wrath Erasmus Project

Project Title

Grapes of Wrath

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 : Capacity Building for youth in ACP countries, Latin America and Asia

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Encourage social inclusion and equal opportunities in sport

Project Summary

Grapes of Wrath (GoW) was a capacity building project for youth workers that aimed to explore and deconstruct patterns of psychological and social tension between in-groups and out-groups with particular reference to migrant communities in the EU. More specifically, GoW attempted to promote intergroup contact by conveying the agony of outsiders and inspiring empathy, using the art of movie making as a tool for communication. The story of the Joad family from “The Grapes of Wrath”, 1939, the classic inter-war novel of John Steinbeck, and the revolutionary songs of Woody Guthrie about peace, equity and freedom were the starting point for developing a state of the art training module about inclusion using non-formal education.Needs AnalysisGoW started from empirical evidence and collective reflection of the partner organizations pointing to misinformation as a main impediment for effective tackling the rising inflow of African migrants in the EU. Misinformation refers to perceptions of citizens in host societies about migrants’ needs and to expectations of citizens in origin communities about the actual prospects in destination countries. It leads to stereotypical images that obstruct meaningful contact and, thereof, integration of migrant population in host communities. In turn, this results in low quality of life of migrants through social discrimination, unemployment or precarious labour and unequal access to state resources (education, healthcare etc.). However, the reconceptualisation of migrants’ role is equally crucial for addressing EU’s own multiple crises –political (rise of extremism), economic (inequality across and within MS) and social (demographic deficit).Aims & ObjectivesGRAPES OF WRATH aimed to enable contact between migrants and hosting communities in the EU and to foster informed decisions of potential migrants in African countries regarding the trip and life in Europe. In specific, it managed to:1. Raise awareness of hosting communities in partner countries about migrants’ stories and perceptions;2. Foster deeper understanding about the process, reasons and psychological impact of migration;3. Tackle needs of origin communities, thus, contributing to containing irregular migration;4. Encourage socioeconomic development of both origin and destination countries.Activities & MethodsAll project activities were based on non-formal education and informal learning. The project implemented 7 mobility activities (2 training courses and 5 study visits including field research) involving 72 participants, the production of a documentary film, 15 local events and one final international event. The main learning methods were experiential learning, learning by doing, peer learning, task based learning, learning through arts, observation and job shadowing.DeliverablesAs part of the GoW, a training module of non-formal learning, a documentary film about African migrants’ journey and life in the EU, and a report were delivered.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 149529,36 Eur

Project Coordinator

INTER ALIA & Country: EL

Project Partners

• PRISM – PROMOZIONE INTERNAZIONALE SICILIA – MONDO
• SEDARVP GHANA
• ARKADIKO KENTRO ELLINIKON MESOGEIAKON VALKANIKON SPOUDON KAI EREUNON
• RESOURCE HUB FOR DEVELOPMENT
• FEDERATION DIMBAYA KAGNALEN