Tag Archive for: #erasmusplus

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

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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)!

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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

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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

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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.

Regular online meeting held also in July!

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On July 8th, 2024, the YOU-DANCE project partners held their regular online meeting via Google Meet to review the progress made over the past month. Representatives from each partner organization, including Borderline Danza (Italy), Ipazia Production (Romania), and ECEM Ballet School (Türkiye), provided updates on their activities and discussed upcoming tasks in line with the project’s Action Plan.

Key discussions focused on the ongoing implementation of Activity 2 (A2), which involves the collection of surveys from the local target groups, including youth and vulnerable populations. While the Romanian team successfully continued their communication efforts and survey collection, the Turkish team faced delays due to the summer holidays. They are exploring alternative strategies to complete the surveys by September. Meanwhile, the Italian partners effectively promoted the project at a local Dance Festival, raising awareness and engagement.

The meeting also addressed administrative tasks, emphasizing the importance of regularly updating work contracts and timesheets on the project’s Google Drive to ensure accurate reporting. Further discussions centred on the next steps for Activity 3 (A3), focusing on dance-based interventions and the creation of a digital portfolio. The partners plan to start these interventions in September, with a new detailed guide being developed to tailor the activities to participant needs.

In terms of communication, it was agreed that each partner would continue to manage the project’s social media presence, with responsibilities rotating monthly. ECEM Ballet School will handle July, Borderline Danza will cover August, and Ipazia Production will take charge in September. The partners emphasized the need for regular updates to maintain project visibility and engagement.

The meeting concluded with plans for the next online gathering on August 9th, 2024, where the partners will finalize preparations for the upcoming Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) in Turkey and continue to monitor the project’s progress. The partners remain committed to achieving the YOU-DANCE project’s objectives, ensuring successful implementation and meaningful outcomes.

First “You-Dance” presentation Desk, organized in Italy during the “Salerno Danza Festival”!

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On June 30th 2024, Borderline Danza (the Italian coordinator of the YouDance project), held the first presentation Desk of YOU-DANCE during one of the event of “Salerno Danza Festival”, an international festival of contemporary dance held in Pontecagnano (SA), Italy. Before starting the show, Borderline Danza ETS had a detailed presentation of the Erasmus project and it was a way to catch participant for our “call for actions”!

The project presentation was an opportunity to introduce the YOU-DANCE project to the public and to explain its goals, objectives and next activities. The presentation was well-received by the local public, and there was a lot of interest in the project from young people. The presentation was held by the staff of BorderlineDanza included as experts into the project, which are: Claudio Malangone as BorderlineDanza creator and director, Luigi Aruta as project creator, Mara Noto as project manager, Maria Teresa Scarpa and other local partners.

Borderline Danza ETS is having a next Desk for project presentation on 11th of July 2024 in Marina di Camerota: Italian project’s staff is excited to get started the “in presence” activities of YOUDANCE project in September and see the positive impact it will have in  Italy on young people’s lives!

The Erasmus + “YOU-DANCE” project has started on the 3rd of March!

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The Erasmus + “YOU-DANCE” project has started on the 3rd of March!

The “YOU-DANCE” project, which formally started on the 3rd of March 2024, aims to promote the individual (emotional & bodily) and collective (social & relational) wellbeing of young people aged between 16 and 20 years old, a very narrow age range that encompasses that transition phase between the status of a minor and that of an adult, a phase of life that implies important changes in civil and social status. In particular, the project intends to engage those youngsters who live in the suburbs, who live in conditions of socio-educational poverty, migrants and war refugees with socio-relational difficulties that hinder their inclusion and integration.

Project’s aim is pursued by using dance as a metalanguage, emotional and corporeal, capable of connecting people, allowing them to get to know each other, to express themselves and their emotions, to use their imagination, to stimulate reflection on themes and events, dialogue and confrontation, through the creation of movements and choreographies.

The YOU-DANCE project is focused on the improvement, through dance activities, of the individual’s sense of self-efficacy to be understood as a greater ability to recognize one’s own emotions, express them correctly and manage them adequately with emphatic ability & emotional solidity. At the same time, YOU-DANCE aims at the acquisition for youngsters “at risk” of social and relational skills expressed through the strengthening of interpersonal communication skills & the recognition of differences and diversity as a value to be shared. Project intends to work for the inclusion of young marginalized and refugees through dance experience. It also responds to the real need to create spaces of creative expression for youngsters in which they can negotiate values, feel important in expressing their thoughts, become “activists” of their own community. The “You-Dance” project is an excellent opportunity also for new organizations, to gain knowledge, experience and capacity in the field of social inclusion through dance activities. This project, which will last 12 months and will be implemented in Italy, Romania and Türkiye, is founded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

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