Youth Exchange
Youth Exchange on Tradicional Games - Between Memory and Present 
Dates: June 2010, duration 8 days + travel days
Place: Vimioso, Portugal (Trás-os-Montes region)
Deadline for applications: 29th January 2010
Contact person and e-mail for applications: Bruna Moreira (brn.moreira@gmail.com)
Participants: From each association/organization 4 participants (16-25) plus one group leader

Brief Resume of the Association:
AEPGA – Association for Study and Protection of the Asinine Cattle, is involved in many activities among which the protection of the indigenous population of donkey in Atenor, a little village in Trás-os-Montes region, Portugal. The association promotes and collaborates in the spreading of the Miranda’s donkey breed, providing expositions, cultural and ecotourism activities, therapeutic use of the donkey, actions and other events involving the Miranda’s Donkey Race.  
AEPGA works in a rural region where many different traditions based in music and other artistic expressions are still preserved. This project intends to revitalize one of the oldest forms of learning – Traditional Games. These games are an heritage of people that passed by this region and were pass on from generation to generation, as an important form of intellectual and physic development for children and young people.
(More information - www.aepga.pt)

Resume of the Project:
The project “Traditional Games – Between Memory and Present” will take place in June 2010 in Trás-os-Montes region, and will last 8 days. It will involve 4 organizations from different countries of the European Union which work in the field of youth and non-formal education, specially traditional and old games.
This is based on the idea of cultural exchange and to see how different communities live and play, theirs behaviour and customs, their social life patterns. We live in a technologic world what has lead us to an insecure environment, and usually we don’t use the outdoor spaces to play or to socialize anymore. 
This project will occur simultaneously with the Festival “Sons e Ruralidades”, an activity that has ecologic, artistic and popular traditions concerns. The idea of the project is to gather young and old people in an open space and let them learn from each other, creating dynamic bonds and sharing emotions and joyful sensations. 
Traditional games belong to our memory but also have an important meaning in the present, stimulating physic and mental exercise, healthy competition and sport. The game is a physiological need for children and adults, as necessary as sleeping or eating, and is the funniest chance to learn and understand the other.  

Practical info: 
Participants will cover only 30% of their travel costs. No participation fee.
The accommodation and food is covered by the organisers.

Profile of the participants:
Non-profit organisations and group of people that work with Traditional and Old Games. 

If you like to take part in the Youth Exchange, please write a brief motivation letter, short resume of the organization and activities that you would like to present and send it with Part III to brn.moreira@gmail.com till 29th January.