From May 8-12, in Larnaca, Cyprus, approximately 30 participants had the opportunity to attend an international activity within the Youth in Action program organized and facilitated by ENGSO Youth. 

The main objective was to impart skills and knowledge regarding youth participation in the sports sector. Representing EUSA were two Student Commission members, Reka Molnar and Jan Sobczak, accompanied by two current European Solidarity Corps volunteers at EUSA, Marta Studzińska and Heloise Bargeot.

The training course commenced on May 8th with the first part of the day dedicated to outdoor sessions involving various physical games and team building activities, facilitated by ENGSO Youth. In the latter half of the day, participants had a chance to delve into youth participation mechanisms in European institutions. Christina Yiannapi, Secretary General of Cyprus Youth Council, explained the structure of the Youth Council and its co-management structure with the Council of Europe. Then, Christiana Xenofontos, Vice President of the European Youth Forum, presented resources aimed at evaluating and enhancing youth participation in decision-making processes. The day concluded with an exploration of the principles and concepts of sport governance.

The second day started with an active session on human rights and inclusion, followed by participants sharing their organizational experiences and strategies for involving youth in decision-making processes. The afternoon session, called walk and talk, provided an opportunity for participants to connect more and exchange experiences and good practices from their organizations and programmes.

On the third day, morning outdoor and indoor sessions centered on advocacy, exploring its mechanisms and strategies. In the afternoon, the participants of the Youth in Action program ventured to Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, to visit the Home for Cooperation. Situated in the Buffer Zone between the Cypriot and Turkish parts of the island, the Home of Cooperation serves as a shared space for creation, dialogue, and co-creation.

During their visit, the group had the privilege of meeting Stephanie Nicols and her organization, United Sports Cyprus. United Sports Cyprus is dedicated to uniting diverse communities through sports, fostering dialogue, and promoting lasting peace. Following a presentation on USC's activities, the youth engaged in a lively discussion, posing questions that sparked thought-provoking exchanges.

Afterwards, the participants explored the city of Nicosia, which is divided into two parts, each with its own unique character and history.

Day five involved group work to create mechanisms for youth participation in decision-making, tailored to various types of sports and youth organizations operating at local, national, or European levels. Each group, consisting of individuals from different countries, work environments, and with a variety of experiences, came together to collaborate on a common purpose. The day concluded with a cultural exchange, where participants shared their countries' culinary specialties and engaged in cultural dances and traditions.

The final day began with a physical outdoor session on communication, followed by presentations of the final group work, outlining strategies and mechanisms for youth participation across different organizational levels. The afternoon session facilitated reflection on the week's learnings and how participants could apply this newfound knowledge in their respective organizations.

The representatives of EUSA who participated in the "Youth in Action" international activity shared their reflections and insights on the event:

MARTA:

Throughout this week full of activities, there was lots of new knowledge to soak in, that led me to personal reflections on my dedication to sports and youth involvement.  The people I met throughout the week were not only nice and helpful but also truly inspiring, making the experience even more enriching. The highlight of the week for me was the visit to the Home of Cooperation in Nicosia. Meeting Stephanie and learning about the amazing work she's doing to foster unity through sports in Cyprus was very inspiring. It made me realize the potential sports have in bringing people together and promoting harmony. I know there are still many things for me to learn, but definitely feel more motivated and inspired to take action now! Thanks EUSA and ENGSO Youth for the opportunity.

HELOISE:

It was a great opportunity for me to meet people involved in various sports organizations. As a person very passionate about sports, connecting with individuals engaged in this field was incredibly inspiring for me. It allowed me to discuss the different initiatives that each person implements at various levels within the sports sector. Having many ideas for activities with my sports club, this experience was particularly valuable as it helped me understand the structure of the sports sector and provided me with tools to better implement my own projects. I am grateful for the chance to learn more about sports governance, policies related to youth, and how to encourage and empower young people to participate in decision-making processes. Thank you EUSA and ENGSO Youth for giving me the opportunity for this program and for continuing to challenge myself.

JAN:

I was very happy when we received information about the possibility of going and taking part in the project. I didn't know what to expect there, so before leaving I checked what the ENGSO YOUTH organization does more or less to have an outline of what we could do during the meeting. From the very beginning, you could feel the very nice disposition of the rest of the participants, everyone was smiling and open to conversation. I liked the combination of the sports and rhetorical part, especially the presentation of social inequalities in sitting volleyball, where everyone received a different task and information about the rules. The summary project showing how to invite young people to participate in sports on various levels (local, national, or international) showed everyone the differences and challenges regarding the topic. The whole trip was certainly very educational, it expanded my knowledge of European sports and showed how little is said about human rights in schools. I hope to participate in another project of this type in the future, with these fantastic people.

REKA:

Until the first section, I didn't know what to expect; I stepped into unfamiliar territory, in a barely known environment. Over the past week, my eyes have been opened. Besides meeting incredibly intelligent, well-informed, and fascinating people, I realized that I've been living in a little bubble. I've always tried to influence others, leave a mark behind, but at the event, I actually met everyday heroes who might change the history of Cyprus. It's never enough to have strong motivation; one should never stop learning. Embrace opportunities and humbly accept new challenges. Everything I've experienced and learned in the past week, I've deeply internalized, striving to make the world just a tiny bit better every day. I will always look back gratefully on the moments spent at the event. Thank you ENGSO YOUTH, thank you EUSA!

The "Youth in Action" training course was funded by the Council of Europe through the European Youth Foundation.

Photo credis: Engso Youth and Sarah Campion

For more information, please see https://engsoyouth.eu/