IC4LOP Launch
On June 21st, we held the launch event for our latest Erasmus+ funded project, ‘International Citizens for Local Perspectives’ (IC4LOP). We were delighted to host over 50 representatives of migrant support organisations, volunteer sending agencies, and other national organisations in Wood Quay for a very engaged programme.
The project aims to create innovative ways of promoting civic participation and combating social exclusion by linking newly arrived young migrants with young Irish people who have volunteered in the Global South. Throughout the day, participants reflected on questions including: what are the barriers to developing collective action projects on global justice themes and how can we overcome these? How can we best support young people to foster their engagement as active citizens? What helps to keep groups working together in the long-term?
One of our partner organisations, Zavod Volontariat, was represented by Maja Visnikar, who travelled from Slovenia to participate in the event and launch the app developed during the first stage of the project. Called “Awakened Citizen”, the app will create a map of organisations and projects that are working with young migrants and international volunteers, making it easier for anyone who’s interested to find out what’s happening in their area and how they can get involved. It’s now available on Google play and through the Apple Store – if you’re part of an initiative that’s promoting integration, and would like to spread the word about your work, please add your details.
Over the coming months, we’ll be organising a training of trainers’ course that’ll take place in Palermo in early 2020: details of this, and of training that’ll take place in Ireland will follow soon.
