Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Project number
Please insert the reference as indicated in your agreement: Postmark/Date of receipt
GEAI TD-IE-13-E3-2013-R3
Democratic Energies
The beneficiary allows the European Commission, the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency and the National
Agencies to make available and use all data provided in this report for the purposes of managing and evaluating the Youth in
Action Programme. All personal data collected for the purpose of this project shall be processed in accordance with Regulation
(EC) N 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing
of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies.
Data subjects may, on written request, gain access to their personal data. They should address any questions regarding the
processing of their personal data to the Agency (National or Executive) in charge of the management of their application. For
projects selected at national level, data subjects may lodge a complaint against the processing of their personal data with the
authority in charge of data protection in their country at any time. For projects selected at European level, complaints may be
lodged with the European Data Protection Supervisor at any time.
The beneficiary declares having informed the promoters and participants in its project on the provisions and practices
regarding data protection applied under the Youth in Action programme.
Beneficiary
Name, stamp (if applicable):
Legal representative
Name in capital letters: Mr. Edward Mitchell
The project:
promotes young peoples active citizenship in general and their European citizenship in particular;
develops solidarity and promote tolerance among young people, in particular in order to foster social
cohesion in the European Union;
fosters mutual understanding between young people in different countries;
contributes to developing the quality of support systems for youth activities and the capabilities of civil
society organisations in the youth field;
promotes European cooperation in the youth field.
Please, indicate and explain the reasons for eventual changes between your initial application and
the activities finally implemented, e.g. composition of partner promoters and/or participants, duration
of the Activity, Activity programme
Original Planned activities
The working methods will be twice monthly interface meetings with the groups. There
will be video chat once a month with youth representatives of each group, and the
Polish groups. The groups will be flexible enough to change plans and meet in
another town or venue to co incide with a presentation or event that is pertinent to this
project. Achieved
The planned activities and working methods will contribute to the process of non
formal learning and to the promotion of social and personal development of the
young people involved in the project as the project will include mobility, - travel from
Poland to Ireland and Brussels (to the EU), and travel from Ireland to Poland and
Brussels. The project will involve the youth creaating a level platform from which
they can engage with community, political, civic, and European decision and policy
makers, as well as people leading NGOs in Ireland and Europe. Achieved
Methodologies for exploring and sharing relevant issues in the two countries agreed.
Achieved
Participants build relationships and share information through email, Skype etc.
Achieved
National seminars to explore national and EU decision-making structures
Achieved
Questionnaire for MEPs and candidates leading up to EU election designed, sent and
analysed Achieved
Visit to partner organisation in Poland. Exploration of the situation and policies there
Achieved
Visit to partner organisations in Ireland. To include meeting with Local Authority
members, local TDs, visit to Leinster House and meeting with Minister or department
representative
Partially achieved. The Irish participants had the opportunity to visit partner organisations in
Ireland, including having interviews with people taking part in the campaign against fracking. During
the residential in Ireland, the participants met with local representatives from Leitrim, but a visit to
the Dail was not possible since the Dail was closed the week of the residential.
Visit to Brussels, discussion of decision-making structures and energy policies with
Commission and MEPs Achieved
Exploration of petition process, design of new petition Not achieved. Our information
was that the whole petition process is complicated and, given the capacity of our participants, it
was decided that this would not be possible
Final Conference in each country, presentation of results of questionnaire, report on
Petitions, presentation of findings of the project. Achieved. Instead of running a full
conference, we piggy-backed on to another event organised by MARDI which included the
Premier of an international anti-fracking documentary by the youth Director, Jolynn Minaar, with an
introduction by our youth to the project. The audience were invited and included some local
councillors, and leaders of community and youth projects. The showing of the documentary took up
half of the evening and after that, the participants had the opportunity of presenting the Democratic
Energies project to all attendees and had a discussion on their experience. This was a good idea
as it disseminated the project, gave our participants experience on presenting the project and was
very cost effective..
Part of the presentation used the Forum Theatre methodology - one of the participants dressed up
as Moorman, CEO of Tramboran (the company wishing to frack Leitrim and Fermanagh) and had a
debate with others (who took the part of the protesters) on the relative benefits and risks associated
with fracking! This was very successful in bringing the issues to the fore in an unusual and
accessible way.
REPORTING OBLIGATIONS (Please consult your agreement before elaborating this report)
The final report should be submitted within two months following the end date of the project.
The final report includes one narrative section on the carrying out of the project, and one financial part. The beneficiary must
fill in both parts. Failure to accomplish the reporting obligations entitles the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive
Agency or the relevant National Agency to demand full reimbursement of sums already paid.
All costs must be fully justified with copies of travel tickets and/or invoices or acceptable accounting receipts. Achievements
must be described in detail in the narrative report. A signed list of all participants must be enclosed with the report, as well as
the final calendar and the daily timetable of the Activity.
Person authorised to sign the contract on behalf of the beneficiary (legal representative)
Family name (Ms/Mr) Mr. Mitchell First name Edward
Position/function Secretary
Distribution by
Total number of Distribution by age group
Country of residence gender
young people
Male Female 13-14 15-17 18-25 26-30
Ireland 10 6 4 8 2
Poland 10 7 3 1 3 6
TOTAL 20 13 7 1 11 8
Gender Country of
Name Function
(M/F) residence
Aedin McLoughlin F Ireland Coordinator
Liam Breslin M Ireland Secretary and Youth Leader
Alicia Rybicka F Ireland Facilitator
Meg Rybicka F Ireland Promoter
Rosa Wypyska F Poland Promoter
Wanda F Poland Promoter
Art Coonaghan M Ireland Facilitator
TOTAL 7
Please enclose with this report the products developed during the project (video, photos, website, etc.) and information on
how these were disseminated.
Description of activities
Please give a general description of the project. Indicate the implemented activities, the working methods used and how the
partners were involved.
Please attach the final calendar and the daily timetable of activities.
A number of seminars in both countries to build relationships between participants and explore the
issues that were at the core of this project.
Visit to each others countries and experience social, political and learning opportunities, delivered
in a way that encouraged creativity and challenged stereotypes.
Some of the participants visited Brussels and experienced first hand the operations of the EU
Parliament and how lobbying is an important feature of environmental organisations in Brussels.
In Poland, the seminars were held in Libiaz, in a community facility that was convenient. At one
stage of the project, the participants expressed their lack of enthusiasm for the venue and it was
decided to hold one Seminar in Krakow, which would give the participants an added value of being
able to sightsee and shop! This was done to keep the project momentum going.
During the residential in Ireland, the participants stayed in a hostel in Bundoran. This was very
satisfactory and there were no big problems with the accommodation. Bedrooms were dormitory-
style and there was a big kitchen and two living rooms where sessions could be held during the
week. Bundoran was a good venue as it offers many different activities that the participants could
enjoy, including surfing and paddle-boarding.
At first, the Polish participants found the food very strange - it was locally prepared and included a lot
of Italian-style and herby dishes, but by the end of the week they were used to it. Both vegetarian
and meat options were offered and the standard of cooking was very high.
The residential in Poland was more basic. The participants stayed in accommodation that was based
in very isolated woods and not very accessible to shops. The Irish participants didnt like the Polish
food at all! This was a bit of a problem, as was the unreliable hot water. However, they had good fun
and all agreed that the trip was excellent and they learned a lot. The two residentials certainly had
the effect of building friendships and the two groups communicated extensively using Facebook and
Skype.
Language
English was the project language and the Polish groups were delighted to get the opportunity to
practice their English. Some participants had limited knowledge of the language and for them, it was
difficult to communicate and to join in discussions (which were many). The Polish leaders acted as
interpretors when they could and were available constantly to assist participants who wanted to say
something that was beyond their competence.
The Polish group had some special language training before they came to Ireland, especially in the
areas being addressed by the project. Thus the group had vocabulary for climate change, oil and
gas extraction and global warming. They also had prepared a presentation of Polish landscape and
culture before the Irish residential and presented this during a Polish evening in Bunforan. This was
completely done by the partivcipants and no doubt was a great way to improve their language
competency and self-confidence.
Music was used to overcome language boundaries. Polish and Irish (English) songs were learned by
both groups and much laughter ensued at mixed up pronounciations and words! A couple of
participants turned out to be good guitar players and they entertained the rest.
Role play or acting was also used as a non-formal learning tool. The Focus Theatre model was used
to get discussion going. One young participants dressed up as an oil/gas explorer and the rest had
to oppose this plans and be able to counter his arguments in favour of exploration. This format was
also used during the Irish conference.
Improvements
Youth in Action programme Sub-Action 1.3 - Youth Democracy Projects Page 15
Financial aspects
Please describe your experience with additional funding for this project (in addition to the Youth in Action Programme grant).
Include information if you had difficulties in your efforts to secure this additional funding.
The requirement for 25% match funding was a big problem throughout this project. Indeed, GEAI
would hesitate before it would take on another Youth Democracy project for this reason. The
organisation is growing and has a lot of commitments and therefore could not raise sufficient cash to
enable the project to spend the full amount it had committed to. Several money-saving measures
were taken. Travel expenses were to a large extent funded by the organisers. Catering was carried
out by willing (and qualified) members of both organisations rather than getting in professional
caterers. The Irish conference piggy-backed on to another event, which did not cost us anything. At
that stage we had run out of money and could not foot the bill.
The GEAI cashflow situation was made precarious by the delay in EVS funding for our three
volunteers and so, the last two months of the project were not as they should have been. Financial
resources that was initially intended to be used for the final activities of Democratic Energies had to
be spent on the EVS volunteers. This could not have been foreseen and was a shock to our
organisation. We managed the situation well but it brought home the fact that small organisations
have to be very careful in choosing their financial commitment and exposure. Unfortunately, MARDI
is equally small and both of us had a bad time for some months.
Our Polish partners were equally distressed. Initially, they had not realised that ALL costs, including
accommodation costs, were funded at 75%, even though they had been told and it was in their
contract. Obviously, there were some communication/language issues here. They were used to
Youth Exchanges, but this was also their first youth democracy project. This misunderstandfing led to
difficulties in our relationship for a while, but they decided to go with what they had signed up to do
and in the end had a really good project and were very pleased with the result. Unfortunately,
because of the cashflow difficulties, their final conference and final meeting were delayed until we
could assure them that their costs would be covered.
A big problem for all partners is that the participants come from area that are disadvantaged and
there is no spare cash around. Even to ask for some contribution towards expenses was difficult for
some participants and there was no way that they could contribute 25%.
A big learning curve was experienced by all partner organisations during this project. We are happy
that we have survived it and have had a good project. They participants loved it and gained a lot
from it; we did not involve them in our financial difficulties. It has taught us to to careful about what
we choose to do in the future. Also, not to rely on funding coming in exactly when we expect it!
It was important that participants were genuinely interested in the environment and open to learn
more about the issues that were to be addressed by the project sustainable energy choices,
issues around fracking, political involvement, how the EU works and willingness to get involved in
the democratic process. In the event, MARDI had an existing network of young people who knew
each other and had been involved in previous projects. It was not difficult to recruit participants
from this network. GEAI had links with Lough Allen Vocational School who had a group of young
people who came from disadvantaged backgrounds and had not participated in such a project
before. The challenge was to involve such young people and to integrate them with the other
group.
Two first two meetings of the project focussed on getting both groups to get to know each other and
to mix. This was done reasonably successfully. By the time the Polish group came to Ireland, all
project participants knew each other well and were able to jointly participate in project activities.
In Poland, the situation was less complex. Both organisations worked with young people as an
essential element of their work and had already a pool of young people to choose from. In their first
meetings they focussed on raising the capacity of the participants, with presentations about climate
change and fracking; and also some work on the English language, which they were all anxious to
practice before they came to Ireland. They were very excited about the project, which they saw as
an amazing opportunity to visit Ireland and to learn more about Europe.
The Polish organisation used their staff as youth leaders and also engaged facilitators for their
meetings. This went well both groups were very pleased with the facilitators in general and there
were no problems there.
The thematic concept of the Democratic Energies project focused on the participation of young
people in mechanisms of representative democracy. The activities include exploration of decision-
making processes at local, national and EU level; engagement with EP candidates through the
development and administration of a questionnaire and exploration of their policies; and
encouraging the expression of the participants' opinions through voting at the 2014 elections.
The young people experienced the concepts and practice of representative democracy and active
citizenship through their engagement with national and EU political systems; they explored the
decision-making process; they visited national and EU government establishments and met national
and EU decision-makers; they were facilitated to get into dialogue with decision-makers at all levels
- local, regional, national and European.
Please explain if and how the following aspects have been tackled in your project:
young people's positive awareness of other cultures,
dialogue and intercultural encounters with other young people from different backgrounds and cultures,
prevention and fight against prejudice, racism and all attitudes leading to exclusion,
sense of tolerance and understanding of diversity.
Please indicate which activities made the greatest contribution to the intercultural learning of the participants.
both residentials made the greatest contribution to the intercultural learning of the
participants
the trip to Brussels and the EU greatly enhanced the young peoples perception of
themselves as Europeans
the informal time out during the first residential in Ireland brought greater intercultural
learning and understanding of each others cultures, which was enhanced during the
residential in Poland.
Reflective practice evaluation was carried out with our own groups, and with the Polish groups at
every meeting during the project. This method of evaluating the progress and learning cycle of the
youth proved very effective, as each member of the project was able to express and question the
learning, the objectives and the outcomes in a natural and in formative manner. The evaluations were
both writtenand verbal, and engaged the youth in moving ahead with the project. Evaluations during
and after each residential and study visit were particularly important, as the participants, leaders and
organiserstruly learnt from each other, and using reflective evaluation methodology meant that all
critique was used for progress and positive change.
The final evaluation meeting took place over a full day in both Ireland and Poland. The project was
evaluated over its life cycle, with some surprising conclusions and learning outcomes. A firm
conclusion reached by all of the youth is that to "Be the Change", they will have to truly engage at all
levels of European active citizenship, democracy, and the democratic process, in order to ensure a
youth voice at every level of the EU.
We will build on our experience of this project to carefully examine our aims and objectives of expanding our
work with youth with fewer opportunities, and those in the NEETS category, to apply for projects within
ERASMUS + that are within our capacity as an organisation, and our interests.
The multiplying effect and sustainable impact in a long term perspective, are being explored by the
promoters, with a KA1 action being actively discussed between 2 of the promoters, and a youth exchange to
be held in the Netherlands. The core principles of the project have been used by the Polish group and their
partners in applying for a youth exchange for the February 2015 deadline, and a training course over the
next few deadlines as spin off projects. MARDIs Turkish partners are writing a training course around the
learning outcomes of this project.
The follow up of this project is to be discussed at length between the partners, as the new Erasmus +
programme is in place, with many changes from the YIA programme.
Mobility of the young people has always been an issue in rural areas such as ours, but our combined youth
groups have certainly broken the ice on travel between Poland and Ireland, with at least one of our youth
members taking up a university placement in the Netherlands, as opposed to Dublin, as a direct result of his
experiencing enhanced mobility through this project, and gaining enough self belief to leave Ireland to study
in Europe.
The dissemination of this project reached hundreds of youth via stands, displays, dissemination conferences
and events, and through social media and new media.
Continuous contact with the promoters is being maintained, as the networking opportunities that exist
between established groups with long prior experience of the YIA programme, and many good contacts is
invaluable.The partner groups have good experience of EVS, youth exchanges, training courses, and
mentoring.
We will build on our experience of this project to carefully examine our aims and objectives of expanding our
work with youth with fewer opportunities, and those in the NEETS category, to apply for projects within
ERASMUS + that are within our capacity as an organisation, and our interests.
how your project provided clear promotional added value for the Youth in Action
Programme.
The project tackled a difficult subject, which is how to engage youth with political decision making
from a bottom up approach, as opposed to building a project in which the youth passively participated
in.The
youth experienced first hand the difficulties of engaging with the European Political System, to
ensure that their voices and concerns be heard and acted upon. The youth visited Brussels and met
with NGO's, decision makers, and an Irish MEP, which gave the project, and the YIA programme,
great promotional added value, as most of the Politicians contacted had not heard of YIA! Each
participant on the project was offered Youth Pass, which gives the now Erasmus + programme added
promotional value, as these youth will include Yout h Pass in their CV's for jobs, college, volunteering.
Dissemination of the project took place at a series of meetings with environmental groups in the
licenced areas of Leitrim and Fermanagh, Antrim and Sligo. One youth leader, and 2 youth gave an
overview of the project at each meeting.The final disseminatioin meeting took place in the North Side
Community Centre in Sligo town, on October 27th, and attracted a good diverse audience. A film
was shown made by a young South African director, which tackled extreme energy extraction in both
SouthAfrica, the US, and Europe.
The project attracted several PhD students, one of whom is now considering using parts of the
project in his thesis, as a study on youth/community involvement in environmental activism and
awareness The learning outcomes of the project will be presented to youth services within Leitrim
County Council as an example of good practice in working with intercultural youth groups, and youth
with fewer opportunities. A final draft has been put together for a series of pieces to be put into the
local press in the New Year as a series on youth activism, citizenship and democracy.
Dissemination of the learning outcomes of the project have been sent to larger NGO's such as Food
and Water Watch Europe, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace Ireland and Transition Towns Ireland.
We have disseminated our project to diverse groups who are expressing their wish to find out more
about Erasmus Plus, and to participate in further projects.
The Irish group had a number of youth with different learning needs:
Two participants had severe dyslexia
One participant had ADHD
One participant had OCD/acute anxiety disorder
The nonformal learning and workshopping environment of the project was ideally suited to the learning cycle of
these participants.They were able to express themselves very well outside of a classroom environment, and
became more able to articulate their ideas and thoughts as the project progressedWe used art, song,
film clips, dance and drumming as mediums during the residentials for the youth to convey their messages
Number of young people with fewer opportunities directly involved in the project (out of the total number of participants
indicated in Part III, Table B of this form):
the objectives and the priorities of the Youth in Action Programme (please see the Programme Guide),
The general objectives stated in the Youth in Action Programme are to:
promote young peoples active citizenship in general and their European citizenship in particular
We achieved this during the Democratic Energies project through discussion about the
meaning of European citizenship, examination of the EU decision-making process and how
young people can get involved. The visit to Brussels was important in this regard.
develop solidarity and promote tolerance among young people, in particular in order to foster
social cohesion
The social dimen sion of the project enabled the participants from different cultural
backgrounds to form relationships and to work together. In addition, many of the non-formal
exercises carried out in the course of the project challenged perceptions and stereotypes
and promoted tolerance among the participants. An example of this was the organisation of
cultural evenings during residentials in which cultural differences were discussed and a
greater understanding among the participants developed, which led to greater tolerance of
differences.
in the European Union
foster mutual understanding between young people in different countries
Since Ireland and Poland were both involved, the visits to each others countries was very
important. As above, much of the non-formal learning and social occasions fostered mutual
understanding between the young participants and their leaders.
contribute to developing the quality of support systems for youth activities and the capabilities of
civil society, N/A
organisations in the youth field
promote European cooperation in the youth field. This project was promoted in local
schools and youth groups, thus encouraging other organisations to consider participating in
Erasmus+ in the future
6. Explore the petition process and the possibility to use this tool in the context of Youth Democracy
Partly achieved. The petition process was explored but, in the light of the experience of other
campaigning organisations, it was decided that the process was too complicated and beyond the
possibility of this project. It was an interesting thing to explore but the Brussels bureaucracy is
too complex.
The theme of energy choices and climate change is one that is very relevant to all young people.
All of the participants had a genuine interest in the environment and the future impacts of global
warming. The Irish participants also were concerned about the proposals for fracking locally and
the possible impacts on their environment and quality of life. The Polish participants initially had
little knowledge about fracking and its impacts but during the project their interest grew so that
they had the idea of carrying out a days local street action to raise awareness.
One of the important aspects of this theme is that it is global. Climate change will impact on all
countries and all peoples and the participants during the project learned a lot about how climate
change is affecting those who can least cope with extreme weather and who have contributed
least to carbon emissions or global warming. The young participants in this project will, without
doubt, be involved in decisions that can impact on emissions, e.g. use of fossil fuel, measures
that would reduce carbon emissions or increase energy efficiency, etc. One of the results of this
project is increased awareness by the participants of the role that each of us has to play in this
global crisis and the need for all of us to get involved.
the social and personal development of the participants (including non-formal learning objectives).
This project was very important for all the participants. Coming from disadvantaged areas and some
with learning or other difficulties, it was a great opportunity for all of them to gain socially and
personally. They all agreed that they had benefited greatly from the project in self-confidence and in
communication skills. All had participated in activities and events that addressed their social
development travelling together, sharing accommodation, meals, activities etc. In addition, during
each Seminar, they participated in various non-formal learning activities and exercises that
addressed their social development interacting and communicating with others, including people
from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. During their socialising times, they were
enciouraged to mix, to get to know each other and to build relationships. This was successfully
done.
The non-formal leaning exercises also addressed their personal development. The trainers made
sure that all participants were included in what was going on and various media and methods were
used to ensure that all were able to participate. They were also enciouraged to take responsibility for
their own safety and progress. (During the residentials, each day different people volunteered to be
assistant eaders or take up some other role.) This resulted in increased self-confidence among the
participants. They were also encouraged to join in discussions, give short presentations of issues,
of culture, of cooking, etc, and affirmed in their right to have opinions.
Did you inform participants about their possibility to receive a Youthpass Certificate? X Yes No
How many Youthpass Certificates did you issue? 8
In case you issued one or more Certificates did you also fill-in the sections relating to descriptive parts of the Youthpass
Certificate (Individual activities undertaken) X Yes No
Please describe any other measures implemented to recognize and validate the learning outcomes of participants and
promoters involved in the project.
Additional information
Give any additional information, observations, comments or recommendations that may be useful for future projects as well as
to the European Commission, the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency or the National Agency. You may give
some indication of participants personal assessments of the project with the support of two or three individual evaluations.
Describe specific difficulties you encountered in implementing your project.
A. Costs
Final
Total amount
assessment
as accepted FINAL
(to be filled in
in your STATEMENT
by NA or
agreement
EACEA)
B. Income
Final
Total amount
assessment
as accepted FINAL
(to be filled in
in your STATEMENT
by NA or
agreement
EACEA)
B.1. EU Grant
1. Contribution requested from the Youth in Action Programme 38,406.00
B.2. Co-financing
2. Own resources (including partners) 6,000.00 6,193.39
C. Payments
Amount
Pre-financing payment already received from the Youth in Action Programme 30,723.01
Expected balance claimed 1,425.12
Travel costs
Please note: only cheapest means of transport/fares are subject to reimbursement. Also include the local transport. If
applicable, please separate clearly the different phases of your project (e.g. preparation, activity, follow-up, etc.) in the
specification column.
Number of Means
Specification Promoter From To Costs
persons of transport
Subtotal
Publication/translations/information costs
Please specify the costs for production and translation of information material.
Specification Costs
Production and delivery of questionnaire for EP candidates in both countries and 569.68
translation
Production of petition in Polish and English 0.00
Cost of design and printing a leaflet: "Beginner's Guide to Engaging with Europe". 110.00
Other publicity materials flyer, posters 250.00
TOTAL PUBLICATION/TRANSLATION/INFORMATION COSTS 929.68
Specification Costs
Specification Costs
TOTAL 3678.41
Specification Costs
Young
person (YP)
Female (F) Year of
N Family name, first name Date of arrival Date of departure Country of residence E-mail address OR other Signature
or male (M) birth
participant
(OP)
Youth in Action Programme Sub-Action 1.3 - Youth Democracy Projects List of participants
List of young persons and other participants (For more participants use copies of this page or extend the list with copy/paste of rows above.)
Activity title: Democratic Energies
Young
person (YP)
Female (F) Year of
N Family name, first name Date of arrival Date of departure Country of residence E-mail address OR other Signature
or male (M) birth
participant
(OP)
The European Commission, the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency and the National Agencies inform the participants that all data provided in this report will be used for the purposes of solely managing
and evaluating the Youth in Action Programme. All personal data collected for the purpose of this project shall be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) N 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council on
the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies.
Data subjects may, on written request, gain access to their personal data. They should address any questions regarding the processing of their personal data to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency or
the relevant National Agency. Data subjects may lodge a complaint against the processing of their personal data with the European Data Protection Supervisor at any time.
Youth in Action Programme Sub-Action 1.3 - Youth Democracy Projects List of participants