“The Four paws” Mission Erasmus Project

Project Title

“The Four paws” Mission

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 : Strategic Partnerships for youth

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Social dialogue; Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation

Project Summary

Polish youth, through Animal Rights Coalition comprising lots of associations and individuals fighting for animal rights, made contacts with Turkish youth, thus shaping a group consisting of 24 people aged 15-25. The youth representatives are eager fans and defenders of animal rights, volunteers, social activists and workers, with leadership and interpersonal skills. They are often involved in various social campaigns to defend animal rights. Both groups exchanged their observations constituting the context and foundation of the above project idea. They are in constant touch through social media. Participants are youngsters who often take some actions on their own initiative, they are oriented on international cooperation in favour of animal rights, and they have some experience in taking care of homeless animals. They are sensitive to animal abuse and cruelty. They are also pro-ecological social activists, for whom using waste for social purposes and the condition or cleanliness of their surroundings, are the way for publicising their own values. On the basis of survey questionnaires conducted by youngsters in both countries, the needs in the areas of animal rights, shaping civic attitudes and promoting pro-ecological practices, were thoroughly diagnosed. The idea of exchange of good practices and experiences is going to hugely impact the whole society.

The following project goals were defined:
• developing a sense of entrepreneurship among young people and their active participation in social life
• strengthening a sense of initiative among young people, especially in social areas
• social inclusion
• reinforcement of interaction between research studies and practice applied
• tightening the synergy and European cohesion while covering socially important issues
• popularizing voluntary service among youth
• international dialogue

The project includes the following activities: promotion and dissemination of project results, 2 transnational project meetings, local activities (in the scope of social competence and practical skills), 4 virtual project meetings, 2 youth exchanges (in Poland and Turkey), 2 conferences (multiplier events), and project management within bilateral cooperation.

Methodology applied: demonstration, multimedia presentation, problem-solving methods, activating methods, kinaesthetic methods, brain storm, discussion panels, “aquarium”, comparative methods.

Results:
• construction of 20 kennels for homeless dogs/ cats; kennels made of plastic bottles in public open spaces as an alternative form of using waste
• 5 video materials – making-off from particular project stages
• 48 Youthpass certificates

Intangible results: increase of social awareness in the field of animal rights, increase of ecological awareness, strengthening a sense of responsibility for animals, shaping pro-European and pro-ecological attitudes, greater sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, greater social inclusion of youth, youth activation and involvement in voluntary services, greater synergy of partner countries for sustainable Europe.

The project will have a local, regional, national and international impact. Description: Continuation – Impact.
Additionally, the project partnership can guarantee durability and longevity of the results through:
• promotion activities run among organizations operating in the field of non-formal education, shaping entrepreneurship, creativity and critical thinking among youth
• maintenance of the extent of project influence on the initiating group through showing them the right direction of further social dialogue with decision-makers and through highlighting the social importance of their initiative on the international stage.

Thanks to this amazing idea being a solution to the problem in the country full of abandoned animals, we believe that youth will initiate and construct another kennels or shelters to protect and take care of animals. Besides, such an initiative will surely encourage young people to make similar things, such as: construction of pro-ecological water containers, street animal feeding, construction of nests or birdfeeders, or just running powerful animal campaigns.

Furthermore, greater social entrepreneurship or ecological awareness account for values deeply and durably embedded in a young person’s consciousness.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 30482 Eur

Project Coordinator

Fundacja Instytut Re-Integracji Spolecznej & Country: PL

Project Partners

• Tokat Ekonomik Kalkinma ve Meslek Edindirme Dernegi