Youth exchange in Portugal

1. INFOPACK
YOUTH EXCHANGE
“The 5th world”
28th of September -
6th of October 2021
Ourondo, Castelo Branco,
Portugal
Supported by: Organised by:
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

2. Welcome!
DEAR PARTICIPANTS,
We are looking forward to welcoming you on this youth exchange project.
This pack contains all the important information which might be useful for
you as a participant. Please read the next chapters! We have tried to include
all possible information in this pack. Don’t hesitate to contact us in case
something is not clear.
This youth exchange is an opportunity to make something for you and for
the world — it will be the experience you make out of it!
The organizers’ team.
Please read it carefully!
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

3. WHAT?
(About the project)
This project aim to promote intercultural debates on the topic of the
construction and expression of identity, to boost self-confidence,
communication skills, teamwork, and other soft skills, to encourage
participants to explore and express self-identities inside of the intercultural
environment, to increase awareness of self-recognition on a social and
personal level.
The project objectives are to empower youngsters in discovering their own
identity, finding their place in society, and creating a sense of community
which is based on mutual tolerance, acceptance, and respect to Human
Rights.
Self-identity defines our unique sense of ourselves and our relationship to
the outside world. This sense of self-identity and recognition will be
improved through art (which is a mean of communication which constantly
mirrors and reflects the society), and interaction with different cultural
identities and perspectives, heading towards equality.
The exchange will take place between 28th of September (arrival day) and
06th of October 2021 (departure day). We will be 44 participants from the
following countries: Aruba, Bulgaria, Italy, Norway, Poland, Ukraine and
Portugal.
It is a 7-day long intensive multicultural experience in the beautiful
countryside of Portugal, next to the Serra da Estrela Natural Reserve.
This program is for people really ready to participate actively and fully
commit to the full program, preparation and follow up!!!
Come and join us!
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

4. About the organisation
What is Ananda Marga?
Ananda Marga is a global spiritual and social service organization founded
in 1955. The ideology of Ananda Marga is Self-Realization and Service to all.
Both aspects are complementary to each other, and both are necessary for a
balanced and fulfilling life.
One of the main local development projects active in Portugal is focused on
Ananda Valley (www.anandavalley.org), an ecological research & volunteers
hub where everyone can fully realise their inner potential, in harmony with
nature and the surrounding community, located on the edge of the Serra da
Estrela natural reserve.
You will have the opportunity to see and experience how this project is
implementing sustainable and regenerative practices for supporting
personal and local development, working hand in hand with the local
communities.
Facilitator
Claudia Lanteri is a business consultant that in free time collaborate with
local and European association to promote active citizenship and young
empowerment. President of the association «Slow Tourism Alto Adige» and
vice president of the association “The treasure of the history of Tirol”, she
organizes events and write project to promote the beauty of this wonderful
territory and its tradition. Till 2017, she was the director of the company
C.S.I. TRE (Cluster and Social Innovation) cooperative enterprise, to create
profit and no-profit activities with aim of transferring social innovation in
local market. The purpose of this company was to help disadvantage people
to enter the world of job and to understand the global market. From 2011
Claudia writes project for European Social Fund for unemployment and
entrepreneurship. In 2018 Claudia has attended two training on Project
Manager and Innovation Manager and now has a worldwide certification in
Innovation manager. With her strong sense of leadership and initiative,
Claudia is an innovation manager particularly active on events, websites,
market.
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

5. The Venue
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

6. Facilities
Accommodation
The accommodation will be in the middle of the beautiful surrounding
Nature - CAMPING! How great is that! Yeeahh :) !
We will provide tents and all the conditions for a great experience!
To see more check here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95wDz1YhI10
● Toilets: There are several compost toilets which are dry toilets and
allow us to produce high quality compost from the faeces!
We will explain you more when you arrive, but as a small intro:
instead of flushing, you throw ash or earth over your doings.
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

7. ● Showers: The showers are outside with beautiful view. There is hot
water container but is limited so use only what you need and think
about the next person that is coming after you.
● Recycling & Composting:
general organic waste:
rubbish next to the kitchen
glass paper cans
card plastic
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

8. ● Philosophy: one of the aims of the project is to promote healthy
lifestyle. Based on that on the land is forbidden the usage of alcohol
and smoking. You will have the opportunity to learn yoga and
meditation, if you are interested in it.
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

9. ● Food: We will provide you with vegetarian healthy meals and snacks.
Most of the veggies are from Ananda Valley organic garden. Inside the
project we promote sattvik diet, and you will have an opportunity to
experience it.
Practicalities
ENVIRONMENT & WEATHER
Hot & dry & chilly !!!
Temperatures can reach a minimum of 10ºC and a maximum of 40ºC in the
summer. The average temperatures are 35ºC high and 20ºC low.
The weather is unpredictable and we should be prepared for rain or sun. It is
sometimes windy but it’s usually not snowing in July :)!
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

10. WHAT TO BRING?
This is not an exhaustive list, but probably you will need everything
on this list! Remember that there are no shops near by - so you’d
better take everything you will need with you!
● Valid ID or passport, travel tickets, insurance;
● Warm sleeping bag;
● Shorts and long trousers (clothing that can get dirty during
workshops) warm sweater or jacket;
● Cap (hat) and sunglasses, lip balm, sun lotion;
● Warm Jacket (wind breaker);
● Towel and toiletries (soap, toothpaste etc…natural!!!);
● Earplugs (just in case your best friend will be snoring nearby :) );
● Some national food/drinks for intercultural night (that fit in the
satvic diet);
● Swimsuit;
● Flashlights;
● Long and short-sleeved T-shirts;
● Joy & Motivation;
● Games and group activities;
● Stories;
Local services:
The close by villages are very small and has limited services, which are
closed after 19h. Please bring everything you need with you. In Paúl (nearby
village) there are two grocery shops, a bar, a health centre and a pharmacy.
The closest town is Covilhã, 20km away.
We may spend one day in Covilhã.
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

11. What we expect from you
Key principles
Get involved: We need everyone active and participate!
Self-reliance: You are responsible for yourself and to make a positive
impact on the event.
Self-expression: Communicate openly with the group with freedom to be
yourself.
Respect: Different cultures can be tricky. Be patient, respectful and
cooperative. Take everything with the thought “It's for the greater good”
- Respect the place and the work of others keep the mindset: "try to
leave everything better than what you found it"
Learn and share: Share what you know, absorb everything and spread it
back home!
Some more
Enjoy and laugh !!!
Multicultural night & Cultural presentation
Be prepared to present something from your cultures in a Multicultural
Night. The idea is to share about our country and culture through food
(vegetarian), music, dancing, drinks (non alcohol), images, etc.
That means you should think of bringing/showing/teaching/etc. something
about your country that is typical or you find interesting. Think of as many
as you can, bring as much as you find, and together with the rest from your
country you’ll have plenty of time to prepare for the overwhelming party! If
you want to bring or prepare some traditional food, there will be the
possibility to use the kitchen. This is also the time to teach other
participants about the nature in your country/region and its main problems.
N.B. needs to be planned from you in advance!
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

12. About the program
All participants are welcome to bring any report, movie or other thing or
idea to the program. This youth exchange could be about sharing, teaching,
showing, giving as well as it is about the nature. Everything is up to you ;)
We also have to adapt to local conditions and the weather, so be aware that
some of the planned activities can change.
As we will be living together for 10 days, we will be one family and as in
every family, we all will be involved in the cooking and cleaning, keeping
our home nice and cosy.
During the program we will have:
● Contact Dance Improvisation;
● Meditation, Mindfulness, and Yoga;
● Storytelling;
● Physical and recreational outdoor activities;
● Individual and group tasks;
● Performing ideas and express creativity;
● Visual art (painting, drawing, sculpturing);
● Relaxation exercise;
● Each country team will be asked to prepare energisers, ice-breakers and
name games;
● Cooperative games;
● Debates, brainstorming;
● Open space;
● And much more;
Remember: The learning happens every moment, especially during
informal times! Be active and participatory! :)
Youthpass - Certificate
We will celebrate the experience by a Youthpass ceremony, where each
participant will receive a certificate that reflects the learning process,
increased skills, knowledge and participation in the project. The Youthpass
certificate is recognized by the European Commission and has a great value
as an addition to your CV’s.
But you should know that the Youthpass is more than just a certificate. It’s a
personal tool to reflect individual learning processes and outcomes. We will
guide you through the personal learning process by using journaling and
reflecting activities throughout the project.
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

13. BEFORE ARRIVING TO PORTUGAL
● Please bring a notebook with you, and before you arrive write down
the learning outcomes which are given in this infopack. You can read
about the Youthpass certificate that you will be working towards here.
● Please familiarise yourself with the basic risk prevention strategies
here!
Remember! If you have any questions please contact us:
Coordinator: kri.pavlova@gmail.com Kristina
Or your team leader!
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

14. TRAVEL
LOCATION OF ANANDA VALLEY
Arrival
● Step 1 : Arrive to Lisbon OR Porto by the latest 19h p.m.
- If you arrive in Porto, take the metro to metro station “24 de
Augusto”, cross the street and small garden and look for the
bus station “RENEX”.
- If you arrive in Lisbon, and you choose the train take the
metro to station “Oriente” and from there change to the
train. If you choose the bus option, take the metro to station
“Sete rios” and then look for billboard “Rede-expressos”.
● Step 2 : You need to catch a bus (from Porto or Lisbon) or train (from
Lisbon) to Covilhã.
● Step 3 : We will wait for you there :)
Please contact us before buying any tickets!
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

15. Departure
We finish the exchange the evening of 5th October, after that you can leave
the same way.
Please contact us before buying any tickets!
Sharing travel info / reimbursement
We have to collect all your travel invoices, boarding passes and tickets
for the reimbursement. Keep them and you can give to your leader. If the
correct documentation is not provided, reimbursement may not be
possible.
Maximum amount of acceptable real travel costs will be:
● Norway, Poland, Bulgaria, : 360 €
● Aruba: 820€
● Ukraine : 530€
● Italy : 275€
● Portugal: 20€
This means that if you are coming from Poland and your travel has cost
390€ you will only get the 360€ of it as reimbursement.
Thank you for reading everything up here :)
If you have any questions ask!
Smile and enjoy! :)
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange

16. COVID-19
We are following the local health authority requirements. Most of the activities will be
outdoors, when it is not possible to keep social distance, masks will be used.
As we know this is a dynamic topic and we are constantly reviewing the updates and
will act accordingly.
For the travels to and from Portugal, those without vaccines will most likely need a
negative PCR test. This expense was not accounted for when the project was
submitted. To be able to cover most of this expense we kindly ask and encourage
you to look for the cheapest travel option, this way we can use the remaining funds
to cover these test expenses.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
“The 5th world” 2021 - Youth Exchange