The 2nd “You-Dance” TPM has been organized in Turkey!

/0 Comments/in , /by

On the 26th and 27th August 2024, the 2nd TPM Meeting for the “You-Dance” Erasmus Project took place in Karadeniz Ereğli, in Turkey. This 2 days TPM important meeting was hosted by ECEM Ballet School.

During the meeting, the Romanian, Italian and Turkish partners (Ipazia Production Srl, Borderline Danza and ECEM Ballet School) aligned their actions and plans, and provided updates on their actions implemented and on their respective contributions to the project. The project’s activities discussed were the Project Management (A1), the Research and Development Training tools (A2), the Dance-based intervention, Data collection and Material production (A3) and the Dissemination & Campaign dedicated to youngsters from risk areas, to migrants and to refugees (A4).

About the phase of the Project Management (A1), contracts, timesheets and invoices for expenditures from each national partner budget were analyzed in details, a regular check has been carried out and the quality assurance plan was regularly updated. It was important to check how each partner is properly spending their budget, according to their implemented tasks until now. Regarding the financial and administrative aspects, procedures and documents were verified in their implementation so that everything is in order and in line with the project GANTT.

On the Research and Development Training Tools phase (A2), nationals’ surveys collection and final updates for the final report were reviewed. Methods and deadlines for producing tutorials and collecting testimonials and interviews were established. The further translation of the 90 surveys produced in each partner country from the national into English language was planned (so that Borderline Danza can prepare a dedicated report), and the current composition of the national target groups was analyzed by each partner organization according to their national situation. The appropriate timing for starting “in-person” activities was discussed, along with the potential involvement of other Non-Governmental Organizations, institutions, or migrant Civil Society Organization players active at the local level in each partner country.

For the Dance-based interventions, data collection and material production (A3) phase, the focus was on the structure of the dance-based lessons in each partner country, including timing, length, teacher profile, and the type of locations where the courses can be organized. A new version of the A3 “Vademecum” will be sent to all partners and some video tutorials will be prepared and sent to all for better understanding how to structure each lesson and the exercises to be proposed to youngsters in each class.

For the last phase, the Dissemination & Campaign dedicated to youngsters from risk areas and to Refugees (A4), the actions included the social media promotion, updating the international project’s website with new articles (required to all partners) and branding the project for local community and stakeholders. New posts and articles were planned in project’s editorial calendar, and the status of the social media pages and the international project website was reviewed.

For the general organization of the project and next month’s planning, it should be pointed out that:

  • the project’s general GANTT was updated considering the actual situation of the implementation of the actions in each country. The “shared open excel file”, available on the common Google Drive, was modified;
  • the Project Management plan and Editorial calendar were update for all the partners;
  • all the marketing material produced and disseminated for the YOU DANCE project was verified. This English material has been translated also in Italian, Romanian, Turkish, Arabic and Ukrainian language;
  • the communications actions carried out in each partner country until now were reviewed, with a focus on need of proofs (screenshots, photos) for the next reporting phase.

Project’s information and communication campaign in Romania by Ipazia Production

/0 Comments/in , /by
Over the last days, Ipazia Production’s team (based in Bucharest, in Romania) kicked off a wide promotion campaign to reach the young public, focusing on Romanian targets group to share at local level the idea, the objectives and next actions of the “You Dance” project and get the word out. For three days, Ipazia’s staff visited various neighbourhoods of the capital Bucharest, bringing official project’s flyers and brochures, engaging with Romanian young people, migrants and young refugees.
Ipazia has opened a “You Dance” Desk in front of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI Bucharest), where local staff had the opportunity to talk to people from numerous origins and nationalities about the main project’s initiatives. Romanian staff also had the chance to meet people in front of local libraries, parks and malls in the capital. As information and promotional campaign, Ipazia had the aim and the target to reach the greatest variety of young people (locals or strangers).
The overall response to the “You-Dance” project was very positive and it got all of us excited about its potentials. As local staff and organizers, as Ipazia we were proud to highlight how, as a tool for social inclusion, this dance project is a unique opportunity to try something new, meet people, be empathic, feel accepted and embraced – and most of all, while dancing and learning new moves!
Ipazia looks forward to reaching more young people and getting “You-Dance” project started also with dance-based interventions in person, in class with youngsters (Activity 3). For this reason, in Romania, Ipazia Production will continue to communicate project results and new initiatives to a large group of people, inviting them to complete the A2 surveys and to join our next class dance sessions (A3), which will start in half September – beginning of October 2024.

Dance, inclusion and diversity: how dance-based interventions can be useful for integration

/0 Comments/in , /by

Learning how to express feelings and thoughts is traditionally not a subject formally addressed in schools. Free expression can take form in multiple ways, and arts are known to be a great mean for achieving it. To facilitate the inclusion and integration in society of teenagers and young adults in vulnerable situations, it can be important to encourage self-expression and to stimulate the development of social skills by creating safe spaces and fostering a sense of belonging and community. Dance, as an art, can offer tools to recognize, regulate and communicate emotions, and to connect people.

Among all the forms of art, dance also encompasses certain qualities of sports: its significance lies not only in the individual healthy lifestyle that it promotes (regular physical activity, cognitive flexibility and stress management, as examples) but also in the collective experience it provides. In fact, dance and various group sports share elements such as teamwork (through relational skills and cooperation) and values like empathy, cooperation and discipline.

Furthermore, creativity and communication are indispensable during the digital era, given the strong connection between young generations and the digital world – a relationship that, if not carefully managed, could hinder genuine creative and communicative abilities. Moreover, dance creates opportunities for personal interaction, enhances self-confidence and encourage self-expression, which are fundamental to establish interpersonal connections and to facilitate integration between members of the community.

For creation and expression, an environment rich in cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity can offer different stimuli, perspectives and opportunities for inclusion. It can unlock innovation through a variety of expressions and cultural exchanges, while also strengthening community bonds and reinforcing values like respect and equitable access.

The well-being of individuals is directly related to the effectiveness of implementing their capacities for social inclusion and integration. Adapting to new environments can be challenging; it requires mental flexibility, changes in behaviour, listening skills, tolerance, and the ability to deal continually with stress, uncertainty and anxiety. From a continuous learning perspective, finding spaces and ways to practice these capacities is essential.

“You Dance” Presentation event held in Bitonto (Italy)!

/0 Comments/in , /by

On August 9th 2024, BorderlineDanza hosted a presentation event for the “You-Dance” project in Bitonto, Puglia, specifically at Masseria Lama Balice.

The initiative was enthusiastically embraced by local participants who attentively listened to our project overview, watched the dance live performance, actively completed the provided questionnaires (A2 surveys) and then  joined a common dinner at the “Masseria”,  that was an opportunity to talk with people and local youngsters from Puglia Region about the “You Dance” project.

This occasion also offered to BorderlineDanza ETS the real opportunity to showcase a choreographic intervention through a performance by two Italian dancers. This intervention is born from the activities and choreographic modules of You-Dance project on anatomy, expressiveness, emotionality, the same work that we will do with participants as soon as they will start the project.

We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who joined us and supported the YOU-DANCE project in Bitonto (Puglia)!
We can’t wait to start dance-based activities, which will be carried in a “face to face” modality (in presence) starting from September 2024. Stay tuned and follow us also on “You-Dance” official social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) for latest news and for new events and dance inclusive initiatives!

A1: A new regular Online Meeting between Partner Organizations

/0 Comments/in , /by

On Friday, the 9th of August 2024, after the meeting held in July, it was held via Google Meets the monthly regular online meeting between all YOU-DANCE project’s partners.

During the online, representatives from each country provided updates on the project activities implemented in July and August. Project partners and experts from Borderline Danza (Italy), Ipazia Production (Romania) and “Ecem Bale ve Dans Okulu” (ECEM Ballet School, Türkiye) have met online in the morning for updating project activities and for discussing the new tasks to be implemented before the next TPM, coherently with the project’s Action Plan. We have all checked the evolution of YOU-DANCE’s national activities, for each Project Result to be reached in every country, especially for Activity 2 and A3. While A2 is going on very well in every country with the collection of surveys to local target group (made up by youngsters, migrants, refugees and vulnerable groups), we have also put the basis of future “face to face” actions for A3 (national dance-based interventions, respecting a common methodology), which will start in September.

As the goal of A3 is to create also a “digital portfolio”, the partners were discussing to have all 3 of them in the national languages of their countries for better perception and familiarization. Interviews, testimonials and tutorials will enrich the outcomes of A3. After a first discussion on administrative issues and on project management, partners focused on the recruitment of national target group and on the final collection of A2 surveys, which are going on in the best way in every partner country.

Additionally, new promotional events were scheduled, and  we have planned the next TPM to be held in Türkiye (in the county of Zonguldak) at the end of the month (25,26 and 27.08.2024). This TPM meeting will be dedicated to the advancing of communication strategies and promoting project results.

During the meeting it was also highlighted that direct contracts should be established with the leaders of activities and research teams. While recognizing the diverse characteristics of our participants, there is a need to maintain a consistent approach across all activities to maintain coherence and effectiveness.

Overall, the meeting reaffirmed the partners’ commitment to the YOU-DANCE project, as they continue to collaborate closely to achieve the project’s objectives and ensure the success of upcoming activities. The partners’ coordinated efforts and forward-looking plans are instrumental in achieving the project’s objectives, ensuring that it delivers meaningful outcomes and effectively engages the target audience.

“You-Dance” dissemination events organized in Türkiye

/0 Comments/in , /by

The “You-Dance” project in Türkiye is actively reaching out to young people through events organized by ECEM Ballet School. These efforts aim to introduce the project, engage local youth, and gather input for future dance workshops that promote social well-being. Several actions of dissemination have been carried out in the county of Zonguldak, involving youngsters and the potential target group which can take part in the future to A2 and A3 project’s actions. In particular, flyers and marketing material related to the project has been spread at local level to the youth population of the county.

In addition, ECEM BALLET SCHOOL hosted a dissemination event on the 23rd of July 2024, where 20 local students aged 16-20 attended. During this local event, the “You-Dance” project was introduced and explained in detail to the youngsters. As part of the initiative, the “Activity 2” survey was provided as a “CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS” for those interested in our future dance “face to face” workshops.

Derya Fındık, the manager of the “Ecem Bale ve Dans Okulu” (Ecem Ballet School), coordinated the event. 20 teenagers from neighbouring schools were informed about the project’s aims, activities, dance-based interventions, and our social media accounts. To promote social and relational well-being through dance experiences, ECEM emphasized the power of dance, answering all participants’ questions.

In the last weeks, ECEM Ballet continued its efforts to reach the local target group by entering the social spaces of young people aged 16-20, providing them with detailed information about the “You-Dance” project.

The students were encouraged to participate in the survey and follow our official social media channels. ECEM has received very positive feedback from the youngsters interviewed in the county of Zonguldak.

The dissemination of the “You-Dance” project will continue throughout August 2024 to reach as many young people as possible, aiming to collect completed surveys before launching the project’s “Activity 2” face-to-face activities.