EFDN organises ‘Breaking Barriers’ Youth Exchange at Feyenoord in May

EFDN organises ‘Breaking Barriers’ Youth Exchange at Feyenoord in May

From 13th until 18th of May, EFDN organises in cooperation with the Feyenoord Rotterdam Foundation a Youth Exchange. The ‘Breaking Barriers’ Youth Exchange will be joined by 26 young people from Everton FC, Aberdeen FC, SL Benfica and Feyenoord Rotterdam. 

Through the ‘Breaking Barriers through Football’ Youth Exchange project young people from different cultures will have the opportunity to meet and experience activities together in and around the city of Rotterdam. They will have the chance to work together to understand the benefits of cultural diversity; and experience similarities, such as interests, dreams, questions about life that they share with other young people from different cultures and countries.
Football is increasingly used and recognised as a tool for community development. These football for development programmes are providing people from different backgrounds with valuable tools to actively make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of those in their community.

‘Breaking Barriers through Football’

The ‘Breaking Barriers through Football’ Youth Exchange project aims to bring 26 young people and 10 staff members of 4 different countries together to promote the involvement of young people in their communities, to discuss potential invisible barriers that exist in society, and to explore strategies on how to overcome these barriers. The exchange will support young people to feel confident, raise their awareness of cultural diversity within the host city and in Europe by taking part in all aspects of society.

Activities emphasising issues reflecting cultural standards and values

The participants of the Youth Exchange are being selected by heir local coaches, on their basis that their coaches believe they could benefit the most by taking part in the exchange. All the participants have the responsibility to organise a part of the programme. Each participating country will have its own cultural evening and serve a dinner that is an example of a typical native dish from their country. Along with the typical dish, they will have the opportunity to present their country and culture through examples such as dance, music, workshops, etc. Furthermore, each group will be responsible for leading one sports activity, which they much link to a cultural topic or issue that reflects their cultural standards and values.