INFO PACK
“Florence Urban Jungle”
1st - 7th of April (8th the departure) – Florence (Italy)
21st - 22nd of January 2017 APV – Florence (Italy)
Dear participant,
The International Center of Southern Europe ICSE&Co. (Italy) and its partner:
- homo ecos: (Latvia)
- Asociación Cultural Muxelka (Spain)
- Lietuvos kuno kulturos akademijos turistu klubas "Altus" (Lithuania)
- SYTEV (Slovakia)
warmly welcomes you to take part in the Youth Exchange (YE) "Florence Urban Jungle" Florence, Italy.
We would like to thank your interest to participate in this YE.
We hope that you are looking forward to it as much as we are!
In the following pages of this document you will find basic information about the activity, its background and suggested programme, information on the venue and how to get there, travel reimbursement procedure, contact details and other useful links.
We wish you a safe journey to Florence!
Please read them carefully and don’t hesitate to ask us () if you have any further questions!
Looking forward to meet you / see you again! The YE team
THE BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THIS EXCHANGE
Through the opportunities which Erasmus+ offers, we create this project because it still believes in the necessity of working to promote learning opportunities improving as an individual and as a community.
Territorial analysis of European cities emerges that the existence of sites in a state of neglect and decay are actually quite common across the continent. These sites are identified in industrial areas, residential areas, areas to be destined to urban green spaces, but also to the unfinished construction sites, including all those residual areas that are abandoned after being exploited.
In the particular context of Florence, which will host the exchange, we are living a particular situation to which the historic city centre is now only use for the consumption of tourists, with the traditional meeting places for young people as a faculty / student residence not valued, squares always less accessible to citizens who are depopulating the city centre. On the outskirts where major faculties and university residences were moved most of the these are anonymous, depersonalized and do not act as aggregation element.
Moreover, in a phase of European history where the economic crisis and social exclusion have in many countries marginalized part of the young population (migrant, poor, disadvantaged, women) the plans to reevaluate urban areas, green spaces, involvement of local youth in this process and in the creation of gathering places helps the social cohesion.
Green areas can help bring people together, engaging individuals from different social groupings that may not normally interact. Green space offers possibilities: increasing social activity, improving community cohesion, developing local attachment and lowering crime levels, particularly in deprived communities (Bell et al., 2008; Weldon et al., 2007).
Certain groups in society are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion: people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, young people, older people and those at an economic disadvantage; for these groups, the potential that green space has for enhancing social cohesion is especially pertinent.
The project aims to promote social cohesion and commitment to active citizenship of young people and the recovery in a positive form of the spaces through simple actions replicable in their own contexts for the construction and care of outdoor spaces for socializing and gathering using prominently with urban green. We want to establish an exchange of one week in Florence, involving 21 young people from different cultures (Italy, Spain, Lithuania, Latvia). An aged from 18-26 years. During the exchange participants will develop and realize with groups of students, managers of community gardens, Florentine student collectives some interventions in unused or degraded areas in university and urban contexts. We will also involve other organizations such as centres for refugees and migrants, educational centres, NGOs just to emphasize the inclusive effect of the creation of spaces for social cohesion by those that lives the city every day, and how this activity can be a bridge between people allowing them to know one each other.
In a preparatory visit group leaders accompanied by one member of the participants, will be in Florence two months before the exchange to identify with the coordinating body spaces in which to intervene and prepare intervention proposals to be selected during the exchange by the whole group, It will, be also the occasion to know the organizations that will collaborate on the project and to go in depth in every activity of the exchange.
The project will achieve three main objectives:
- Encourage young people to active participation in public life with the making rather than passive policy. We want to promote a way of life for which an analysis of a problem does not stop you, but allow you to think possible solutions and get organized for a real change.
- Promoting multiculturalism and social inclusion. We want to stimulate a broader view for which cultural and religious differences are an enrichment and not an obstacle. Also that these differences are overcome if we work together for the common good.
-Promoting outdoor lifestyles and social gathering as a positive role model replicable in local contexts.
For the local context Florence is a city that has always been open to the outside world, in recent years, however, mass tourism has increasingly moved away locals from the old town and the citizens has increased a feeling of intolerance towards foreigners also for the effect of migrant and terrorism crisis. The aim is therefore also to propose a new relationship between Florence and the flow of thousands of foreigners who pass through here, not a disposable consumption of the city, but a real understanding and exchange between Florentines and foreigners into a deeper relationship of reciprocity.
The parties involved therefore, will not absorb the information as mere spectators rather be involved as part of the changes and activity, as the protagonist of the development of the course, through personal initiative and creativity. They will work in a variety of workshops, dynamic activities, and attend presentations by experts on some of the topics discussed.
The Methodology it going to be Non-formal Education. The Structure of the exchange going to give the opportunity to the participant to have space to participate, and to develop their skills.
VENUE, HOW TO GET THERE:
RESIDENCY MAY CHANGE IN CASE WE WILL INFORM YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
The YE will take place in Residenza Salvemini, that is located in the historic centre of Florence, Tuscany Region, Italy.
You are expected to arrive to the Hotel on 1th of April evening (15:30/18:15 start the welcoming). The departure will be on 8th of April after breakfast.
Residenza Salvemini Piazza Indipendenza, 15 Firenze
Tel. 0039+055 2261321 - 329
The property is located in the Central Independence Square. And the first historic, public House student accommodation which was purchased by then-University of Florence Opera in 1954. Over time has undergone several transformations and adjustments. However, a restructuring was needed to make it even more functional by providing existing spaces especially necessary services that transformed into a modern youth house.
All rooms have own bath, air conditioned, wifi free, bed linen, towels.
Residenza Salvemini is located 8 minutes from train and bus station, 8 minutes from city center and 5.9 km from Florence airport “Amerigo Vespucci”.
Address: The Accomodation is located on Indipendence Sqaure (Piazza Indipendenza), in the really center of Florence, just 8 minutes walking from the central Station Firenze Santa Maria Novella and 5 minutes walking from the historic center of Florence.
INDIPENDENCE SQUARE, RESIDENZA SALVEMINI HOUSE
BUS AND TRAIN STATION “FIRENZE SANTA MARIA NOVELLA”
Check in and check out time:
On the first, arrival day you can check in the hotel from 15.00 pm.
On the last, departure day you should check out from the hotel until 10:30 am.
APV: Advance Planning Visit
Group leader of the project will meet from the 21-22 of January in Florence, they will be host by ICSE&Co. During the stay they will know each others and go in depth on the activities of the project and visit the sites where we will make urban green intervention.
It will be also the occasion to adapt the project to prticipants specific need.
Travel reimbursement 170 euro, same rules of the rest of the project.
TRAVEL COSTS AND REIMBURSEMENT
As you know, the financial conditions are collecting the guide of the Erasmus programme: Accommodation and meals are covered 100% as part of the activity.
Please remember that you will have to pre-finance the ticket from your departure place to the venue and back.
Please inform us before booking your flight when your travel costs are over that quantity, so we can check if that is possible with the budget of the rest of participants. If you are over this maximum and you don’t inform us before, we could not guarantee to cover it until having all the costs from all the travels. In case of any question, you can always contact us;
You will be reimbursed as soon as we have received all your necessary original documents (more or less one month after the training course) – they have to be all in tourist/normal class. Please keep all your original tickets (it has to appear date, journey and cost), invoices when possible (compulsory for flight ticket) and your boarding passes. In case of flight companies that don’t provide an invoice (ex. Ryanair), Italian NA asks for the email confirmation that shows payment with a card number, and an extract from your bank account showing that payment. Without boarding passes and invoice, we cannot reimburse your flight. Your travel costs will be refunded, minus the bank fees for abroad transaction while sending you the reimbursement, and the YE fee.
Reimbursement of travel costs we will sent you by bank account also the reimbursement will be done in EURO, regardless of the currency indicated on your ticket and receipt/invoice.
Any proposals of making the staying shorter or longer should be consulted with organizers.
Travel costs reimbursement will be based on the travel distance. Travel distances must be calculated using the distance calculator supported by the European
Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/tools/distance_en.htm). These bases are used to mark the most funded by this program.
Reimbursement:
Distance / Country / Amount10-99 Km / Italy / 0 euro
100-1999 Km / Lithuania, Spain, Latvia, Slovakia / 170 euro
The organizers will reimburse of your travel costs from your home city to Florence Italy.
! Note: Please DO NOT BUY any tickets before approval of the organizers!!!
!! Note: Please note if you bought your ticket in your local currency which might be different than EUR.
!!! Note: If you plan to travel outside the official project dates you need approval by ICSE, first.
Organizers will reimburse 100% of eligible travel costs up to the limit after they will get all your original tickets. Reimbursement of travel costs will only be done upon full attendance in the training programme and presentation of the original tickets with boarding passes and receipt/invoices.
DO NOT BUY TICKETS BEFORE YOU INFORM US ABOUT THE DETAILS AND THE PRICE Once we get that information we will immediately confirm you to buy tickets. Taxi is not eligible mean of transport, however there are a few exceptions. Please contact us if taxi is the only mean of transport that you can use on some part of your travel.
Insurance:
As a member of the European Union, Italy has agreements for the recognition of insurance systems. Those who possess a European insurance card should therefore be covered for illness and accidents in the same way as they are in their country, please bring with you this card. http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559
We will have an insurance for the activity, but please remember in any case, insurance as well as travel insurance is your responsibility! So don’t forget to bring your insurance card with you!
Money:
The currency in Italy is the Euro.
Most major credit cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard/EuroCard …) can be used for payments wherever noticed, as a rule in most major hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Some materials for the training: REALLY IMPORTANT
We have some activities in groups in which are necessary photo/video camera and laptop , therefore we ask please if you can bring these materials which have, since we don't have enough for everyone.
Also you should to bring materials to present your country, not more than 5 min each ... Can be a video, power point or anything you can do, be original and use your imagination! Also bring materials about your organization
We will prepare also a international dinner, you are invited to bring with you and share (or cook if is possible) traditional food, costumes, music and dancing.
Each national group should make some research on green urban project in their country that they liked and that would like to share. They will present it to the whole group.
International Night :
According to the program with activities, each organization should bring national flag, food, drinks and music, dance, some video about your county (youtube is a good resource for this), or something typical from it, you have to do a presentation around 5 minute about your country.
Time and business hours:
Italy is in GMT +1 time zone. Regular business hours are from 9am to 13pm and 16pm to 20pm approximately and exceptionally, some shopping centers and some supermarkets are open from 10 to 10.
Climate and weather:
The city of Florence has Mediterranean climate. Along with July, August is the hottest month of the year for Florence, Italy, when temperatures are at their highest and cloud coverage and rainfall are at their lowest. At this time of year, the average temperature for the city begins at 25.5°C, created by highs of 32°C during the daytime and lows of 19°C after dark. This drops down to 23°C by the end of the month, created by highs of 29°C during the daytime and lows of 17°C after dark. However, please check the weather before to come.
CONTACTS
House “Residenza Salvemini” / 0039 0552261321 or 329Italian Organization- ICSE&Co.: AFERDITE SHANI
ELISABETTA MECONCELLI / 0039 3318215761
00393297786989
Local Police / 0039 05549771
Ambulance/Police/ Firefighters / 112
For any questions about the YE write to
See you soon in Florence,
ICSE&Co.
Via Bovio 4, Firenze, 50136