Causeway British: Contact Exchange Programme

Overview

Youth Exchanges

An exchange uses a non-formal learning approach to skills development for groups of young people aged 13-25 years and their youth workers/leaders. It includes the possibility of an Advance Planning Visit which allows youth workers/ leaders to visit the partner group where the exchange will take place.

Causeway Objectives

The Causeway Exchange Programme has been developed as a means of helping to strengthen and improve relationships between young people on the islands of Britain and Ireland. It has been designed to contribute to the development of strategies aimed at diminishing misunderstandings, which have existed and which currently exist through:

• Increased communication and contact between young people
• Empowering young people to initiate contacts and develop projects together
• Increased co-operation and contact between those who work with and for young people
• Community-enriching cultural, educational and vocational experiences for young people, which celebrate what the different parts of the islands have in common
• Identifying and jointly exploring areas of common interest in working with young people
• Undertaking joint developmental activities relating to young people.

Target Groups

The programme is open to all young people and those who work with them. It is targeted primarily at those who are socially excluded, disadvantaged or who would not normally have the opportunity to take part in projects of this nature.

Causeway guideline to disadvantage

In a general sense Causeway considers ‘disadvantage’ to be a lack of access and/or an inability to access the opportunities in life which others can more readily access. This can spring from a number of different factors, namely: social, economic or educational deprivation, physical or mental ability, geographical isolation, belonging to an ethnic or religious minority or gender inequality.

Criteria

Duration of Programme: Minimum 5 - maximum 21 programme days (exc. travel)
Group size: Minimum 6 - maximum 30 young people per group
Advance Planning Visit: Can include 2 leaders for up to 2 days

Funding

Single Application : the HOST partner applies for hosting and sending costs

Sending Organisation Grants:

• Up to €640/£450 for preparation activities & 70% of actual travel costs
• Advance Planning Visit: 100% travel costs plus €70/£50 per adult per day

Hosting Organisation Grants

• Up to €640/£450 for preparation activities
• Up to €640/£450 for activity costs
• Per diem allowance of €30/£21 per person/per programme day (leaders & young people)