Between August 16th-31st 2021, we participated as partners in the projects "Youth’s Perspective on Employment" and "On the way to school” projects funded by the Erasmus + program.
Key Action: Mobility projects for young people, the theme being employability among young people, respectively education
Thanks to the organization „Ankara Eğitim Gönüllüleri Derneği - Education Volunteers of Ankara” which facilitated these partnerships.

The young people selected as participants in these projects were the volunteers most involved in the actions of elaboration of the questionnaires, their application and interpretation within the Advocacy Activity for the vulnerable groups of young people and women of the project. „From Pupil to Employee: Advocacy and Training for Youth and Women at Risk in the County of Dolj” implemented by Adina Stiftelsen Foundation with the financial support of the Active Citizens Fund Romania, programme funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021.

Minodora, Georgiana, Mihaela, Adriana, Marian and Adrian were eager for new experiences, despite the restrictions and health insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and during the preparatory sessions they expressed their expectations and fears they felt, and prepared the information they wanted to share with the other participants from Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, Northern Macedonia, Poland, Greece and Bulgaria.

On August 15th, our brave young people embarked on the summer adventure. The road to Çankırı, the city where the first project took place, was long and tiring, but the energy and enthusiasm to meet new people and experience a different culture helped them get through the many hours spent on the bus more easily.

The culture shock was quite high, but our young people managed to adapt quickly, being helped and guided by the project coordinators.

The non-formal activities carried out every day, had as main purpose the communication and the active participation thus creating the perfect framework for intercultural learning experiences and personal development.

The role-playing games that had as subject the employability among the young people, brought to the fore the problems that young people face when they want to get a job.
Common problems identified: lack of internships, low number of jobs, inconsistency of subjects learned during the years of study with real needs in the field of work.

The Romanian participants being directly involved in mapping and conducting research on the issue of social exclusion and unemployment among vulnerable groups of young people and women in the communities where the foundation operates, made a detailed presentation that was held in front of all participants.

The second project, carried out between August 23-30, had as is main theme education, the focus being on early school leaving and the freedom to study, both in the country and internationally.

Our team presented the projects carried out by the foundation emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach and integrated educational support in order to support children and young people throughout their education from preschool to graduation and integration into the labor market.

At the end of the workshops, the participants concluded, the main methods to prevent early school leaving are: promoting the benefits of education / why it is important to be educated, supporting young people through teachers and volunteers, state involvement through various programs / workshops / youth centers, through which young people should be motivated to continue their studies. We were pleasantly surprised to see that our foundation has already identified all of these issues and is working on them.

The intercultural evening was another opportunity to show to the participants and coordinators the wonderful Romanian culture.

Another important component of the two projects was the visit of as many special locations nearby, and fortunately, on the list of these locations, was Cappadocia, a region that can be likened to an open-air museum, where you learn about history, religion, spectacular rocks, volcanoes, caves, and about underground cities.

How do our participants describe this experience?

Mihaela: My experience in Turkey was unique. It was the first time for me when I left the country, and also the first time I participated in an Erasmus + project. I am very happy that I managed to meet so many new and interesting people and find out more about their cultures. I am very grateful to the Adina Stiftelsen Foundation, and to the coordinators of the Erasmus projects in Çankırı, respectively Kahramanmaraș: Yasir, Enes, Furkan, Ali and Yalcin.

Georgiana: My experience in Turkey in a few words ... Hmm, it's hard to put into "a few words" two weeks that passed extremely quickly, but that made you feel like a real local who haggles over plates and magnets the refrigerator.
I was lucky enough to participate in two special Erasmus + projects that gave me the opportunity to meet new and beautiful people from seven other countries (Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, Northern Macedonia, Poland, Greece and Bulgaria), who in turn have come equipped and ready to color the projects in their own cultures, so I can say that I came back with a diverse colorful experience and many beautiful memories, including wonderful cultural evenings with dances and good food, multinational expressions, discussions about the beautiful parts and the least beautiful of our countries. Overall, it was a period that is not easily forgotten and that I would always like to repeat.

Minodora: How were the 2 weeks in Turkey with Erasmus + projects? WONDERFUL!
I met many special participants from 7 completely different countries with whom I had a lot to discuss.
I am very glad to see the Turkish friends I missed a lot and I hope to see you again soon.
Participating in Erasmus + projects I had the opportunity to discover other cultures, to visit various wonderful places in Turkey that host people full of warmth and love.
It was an unforgettable experience, which I would repeat anytime.

Adriana: Turkey is a unique experience because you get to communicate with different people, each using their own language and yet somehow managing to understand each other in one way or another. It is a culture full of hospitality, where wherever you go you may receive a cup of hot tea or sweets, all accompanied by many smiles.
The opportunity to participate in two Erasmus + projects in Turkey was a real joy. In these projects, we had the chance to meet different people from several countries - Northern Macedonia, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Bulgaria and Turkey - and to make a lot of new friends.
Through each activity carried out within the project we were able to get to know the other participants better or even discover new things about ourselves.
In the end, it was an unforgettable experience, with a lot of adventure, fun and new experiences.

Marian: For me, the two Erasmus + projects were an unforgettable experience. Interacting with other participants from other countries has opened my eyes to the different cultures around us and I hope to be able to be part of such projects again in the future.

Adrian: For me, the Erasmus + experience meant getting out of the ordinary. During these two weeks I was put in totally new situations that I had to learn how to manage "on the go". Just as I described to Yasir, one of the facilitators of the two projects, this experience opened my eyes, and showed me how different, but at the same time, how similar we are, regardless of our roots. This is just the beginning for me when it comes to Erasmus + projects. I can't wait to experience the next one.

How do you think our thematic workshops started? The natural way to go - with smiles, emotions and great openness. The participants, the volunteers and the team got to know each other, became friends in the blink of an eye and thus spent wonderful moments together, creating a very good start to a road that looks beautiful and very useful for each of them.

We therefore started the thematic workshops within the project "From student to employee: Advocacy and training services for young people and women at risk in Dolj County", for young people (V13 program) and women (EMPO program). Dozens of young people and women have actively participated in creative workshops, professional development, sports or the development of basic digital skills. Relationships were created almost instantly between the participants, the team and the volunteers, thanks to the openness they all showed. Not only that, but also, there was a lot of involvement from all participants, because within these thematic workshops they experienced continuously and at a high level what they lack in the social interactions they have in everyday life. It is about the fundamental needs of the human being, such as the need for attention, manifested by being seen, heard, but also listened to, by being appreciated because you are human and hence you have an unconditional value. The reactions of the participants showed us that the road we are on is a good one, and the approach is the most appropriate.

We are just at the beginning, but we start with enthusiasm and confidence that we will learn many useful things together, experientially, all creating a cohesive and harmonious group: us, the foundation team, our volunteers and, of course, the project participants. So far, we have been joined by volunteers from different fields, with different specializations, but all inspired and guided by the same desire to change people's lives for the better, which leads to changing the world. We are glad that they are with us and we thank them wholeheartedly for their valuable contribution.

Because we want the atmosphere in Adina Home to be familiar, relaxed, natural, we have chosen the first workshops to focus on the interpersonal relationships between volunteers and participants. Because all our workshops have a highly participatory component, the activities of each workshop are decided by mutual agreement by all the actors involved. By choosing this mode of action, we offer participants a deep sense of trust, we want them to feel listened to, understood, valued. We believe that this is the only approach by which they can be encouraged and supported to set out on their best path.


At the workshops dedicated to women (EMPO), they shared with confidence and ease the experiences and difficulties they encountered both in their personal lives and in their search for a job. Most have secondary education and got married early. They had to give up their dreams, their aspirations, giving all their energy and attention exclusively to the family: spouses and children. The brave Carmen raised her hand and said with a sigh: "I, even at this age, am ready to start a new path, even to go to college. My child made me see things differently, and my husband's unconditional support gave me confidence that I can succeed."

At the workshops dedicated to young people (V13), they talked freely about the difficulties they encounter, about the problems each of them faces, but also about the generation they belong to and about their ability to overcome these obstacles. They also talked about their interests, about trades/jobs for the future, and also about what hobbies they have. All this happened during the creation and sports workshops, in an atmosphere full of confidence and openness, one that young people do not have much opportunity to enjoy in everyday life. Impressive and extremely emotional was Valentin's frankness: "It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that I do something good too! I usually only hear that I'm not good at anything."

There are not enough words to thank the volunteers who made first workshops a great success. Our volunteers are teachers, a member of the Advisory Committe of the "Home Start" program, as well as a former beneficiar of the Educational program - an invaluable presence, an extraordinary example of success. They opened up to the participants, shared their experiences and gave them confidence, showing them that people care about people. The message sent by the volunteers and very well received by young people and women alike was that we all mirror each other and it is natural to support each other, we are all human, so we have nothing to fear.

Project implemented by the Adina Stiftelsen Foundation in partnership with Adina Stiftelsen Bergen and Stiftelsen Kirkens Bymisjon Bergen, with the financial support of Active Citizens Fund Romania, a program funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the 2014-2021 EEA Grants.

Do you want to make a positive change in the community? 

We are waiting for you in our team of super volunteers, to share your experience with our young people, to teach them new things, to inspire them and to help them develop their skills and competencies. 

Complete this short questionnaire

Over the next 19 months, the Adina Stiftelsen Foundation will conduct a series of thematic workshops, within the project "From student to employee: advocacy and training services for young people and women at risk in Dolj County". This project aims to increase employment opportunities by supporting the active participation of at least sixty young people aged 13-24, and at least forty women from Fărcaș, Goiești and Șimnicu de Sus communes in Dolj County.

The project is implemented by the Adina Stiftelsen Foundation in partnership with Adina Stiftelsen Bergen and Stiftelsen Kirkens Bymisjon Bergen with the financial support of Active Citizens Fund Romania, a program funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021

Between June 28th and July 2nd, 2021, we will open the doors to all those who want to visit Adina Home and find out as much information as possible about our super project „From Pupil to Employee: Advocacy and Training for Youth and Women at Risk in the County of Dolj”.

MAPS

We invite you to meet our team, to visit the rooms where the project activities will take place, to share details about what we are going to do in the next 19 months and, of course, to answer your questions.

In order to comply with the sanitary protection measures, please call before coming to no. 0757208008.

Project implemented by Adina Stiftelsen Foundation, in partnership with Adina Stiftelsen Bergen and Stiftelsen Kirkens Bymisjon Bergen with the financial support of the Active Citizens Fund Romania, programme funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021.