Aims

To empower young people to manage and operate a transnational project, which builds on the Olympic ideals. Through the project young people will:
Increase international awareness and cross cultural understanding of other countries and cultures.
Develop leadership skills
Increase their self esteem and confidence
Realize their potential as individuals and as a group
Learn to use sport as a tool for dealing with environmental issues
Become good will ambassadors for their country/region

Method

Water sports are known internationally as exciting and useful mediums for developing leadership skills and team work. Building on the experience of our partners and our own experience with Connecting Futures and Dreams and Teams, we will empower young people from diverse communities and the three participating countries and provide them with tools and support to run a project. The project’s focus will be to look at ways to use water sports as a means of overcoming barriers of language, culture and religion, as well as using water sporting events as a tool for raising awareness on environmental issues. Each of the participants will be encouraged to contribute from their additional knowledge and skills to the project (such as photography, writing, arts, etc.).

The project has four phases:

1 – December-March: Participant Preparation – ELT, workshops on cultural awareness, introduction to water sports, pre-visit by UK partner and Azeri partners to Israel
2 – April: Youth Camp in Macedonia
3 – May-July: a. Youth Exchange visit of participating countries to Israel including continuation of project planning, b. project implementation in the three countries
4 - August: Project showcase in the UK

Partners

Israel:
Israel Youth Award
Daniel Rowing Centre
UK:
The Bolton Paddle sport Development
Azerbaijan:
Education Centre for Youth

Delivery and Action Points

October 2006

Agreement with water sport facility and training provider
Approach Israeli Ambassador in Azerbaijan
Advertising the programme in order to recruit participants
Approach Water Sports Association/Olympic Association in country
Meetings with relevant ministries
Create logo and branding for the project – Israel will provide
Start working on ELT programme – Israel will provide programme
Draft budget for the project (for preparation phase)

November 2006

Participant Selection
ELT lesson plan development (Israel for both countries)

December 2006
First preparation meeting (getting to know each other and introduction to water sports, learning to work as a team) and ELT classes
Local Olympic Associations to give presentation on Olympic ideals

January 2007
Second preparation meeting (focusing on water sports – different associations to give presentations) and ELT classes

February 2007
Third preparation meeting (representing ones country, discussing issues around multiculturalism) and ELT and water sports training

March 2007
Fourth preparation meeting (pre departure high profile event ) and ELT classes
Inform press of formal pre-departure event (with Macedonian ambassador-?)

Selection Day
Cross Cultural Training
Water sport Training
ELT
Transport to training venues
Pre visit by UK and Azeri partner
Brand Design

Target Groups

T1’s:
Ambassadors, heads of ministries/municipalities, head of local Olympic association

T2’s:
Youth workers/coordinators/teachers
Water sports instructors
Water Sports athletes
Water Sports and Olympic association
Environnemental NGO’s
Commercial Companies (?)

T3’s:
Young People

Participant Profile:

Total of 10 participants
Age: 16-17
Medium level of English (to be tested by professional teachers)
Commitment to sports as a means for self development
Commitment to serve as good will ambassadors in their communities and abroad
In Israel and UK participants of the youth award (two of which have experience with water sports)
Gender balance
Diverse group in terms of religion and community
One participant with experience in photography