Ecovillage Youth Exchange – Africa and Europe
A collaboration between GEN Africa and GEN Europe
This year five young people from Senegal and five young people from Germany will have the chance to share their knowledge about ecology and social justice while diving into each other’s cultures. A first visit of the Senegalese participants to Germany will take place in July/August 2022 at an ecovillage in Germany. The second visit of the German participants to Senegal will take place in November/December 2022 at Guédé Chantier or Bambey Serere ecovillages in Senegal.
Vision statement: “We envision an exchange project for young adults involved in the ecovillage movements in Africa and Europe, where we explore steps towards healing and reconciliation between and within the two continents. We focus on empowerment of youth through skill-building and exchange of knowledge around ecological living, education and project development, working towards a regenerative and community-oriented future.”
Guiding question: How can young adults in the ecovillage movement empower and support each other in their activism for change while exploring steps towards healing and reconciliation among Africa and Europe?
Core themes: (1) Ecology and Community, (2) Racial and Social Justice, and (3) Youth Empowerment
Aside from the physical visits, the program also includes a series of online meetings before and after the visits. Specialized trainers/facilitators will accompany the group to dive deeper into specific topics, which may include:
- Participatory sessions to learn about tools for regenerative living and community building from both countries/continents
- Workshops and interactive learning sessions on racial and social (in)justice in history and the present
- Guided group process to create a conscious and healing dialogue on race and privilege
- Workshops on empowerment tools for participants’ own projects
- Sharing music, dance, food and other cultural gifts with each other
- Hands-on activism supporting the hosting ecovillage in their activities
- Collaborative working sessions to document and share the outcomes of the exchange (the next exchange project, an exhibition, a movie,..?)
Does this resonate with you?
Are you ready for a journey towards healing, reconciliation, and empowerment for a regenerative future?
Click Here to Fill out The Application Form
Application deadline: 13th March 2022
If you would like to support this project please consider donating. The basic costs of transportation, food, and accommodation are covered by the project. The participants are encouraged to support the project’s fundraising efforts through collecting donations or helping spread the fundraising campaigns.
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Inspiration and snippets from existing documents:
For some time now, GEN Europe and GEN Africa have been exploring ways to continue strengthening ties between the two continents that they serve and through direct contact between the communities that make up their respective networks. Since the summer of 2019, a small group of volunteers has taken the initiative to harvest a multitude of ideas that would fit the purpose of direct collaboration between ecovillages across the two continents, especially aimed at young people and the themes that they contend within their lives and in their aspirations for a better future.
Official project partners are GEN Europe and GEN Africa. The first cycle of EYE will involve 5 participants from Senegal and 5 participants from Germany.
Introduction of GEN Africa and the project
GEN Africa is a network of traditional communities, Learning Centres, Schools, Permaculture Farms, NGOs/CSOs, working together to promote social resilience, food security, environmental protection, and restoration of nature through the concept of ecovillages as models for sustainable human settlements.
We are a non-profit organization in Senegal and Ghana, and our day-to-day functions are served by the Secretariat, a staff team that takes care of daily operations and enacting the organization’s strategy with the guidance of the Council, who are elected to hold our vision by the General Assembly. With over 120 members in over 27 African countries, our strength lies in the transformation of traditional communities into demonstration hubs or learning centers. GEN Africa is the coordinating platform and fulcrum for bringing these members together to undertake a joint initiative, share and learn from each other, and draw on their comparative strength and synergies through courses, conferences, and advocacy to facilitate the implementation of sustainable actions.
The Ecovillage Youth Exchange (EYE) is an exchange project for young adults involved in the ecovillage movements in Africa and Europe, where we explore steps towards healing and reconciliation between and within the two continents. We focus on the empowerment of youth through skill-building and exchange of knowledge around ecological living, education, and project development, working towards a regenerative and community-oriented future.
Official project partners are GEN Europe and GEN Africa. The first cycle of EYE will involve 5 participants from Senegal and 5 participants from Germany. A first visit of the Senegalese participants to Germany will take place in June/July 2022 at an ecovillage in Germany. The second visit of the German participants to Senegal will take place in November/December 2022 at Guédé Chantier or Bambey Serere ecovillages in Senegal. Additionally, participants will meet and work together in several online sessions before, between and after the visits. A team of 2 project coordinators, 2 group leaders, several specialized trainers, facilitators, and volunteers from different countries will plan, organize and accompany the exchange project.
The EYE project is funded by the Teams up! Programme of Deutsch-Afrikanisches Jugendwerk (formerly weltwärts Begegnungen), the Stiftung Freie Gemeinschaftsbank in Switzerland and other donors.
WE ARE HIRING!
We are now looking for a Project Youth Group Leader based in Senegal to support the participants for the first cycle of the exchange due to happen in 2022. We wish for an enthusiastic and committed person that catches fire with the vision of the project. If that person is you or someone else you know, then send us your application until 13th March 2022.
APPLY FOR THE GROUP LEADER POSITION FOR THE YOUTH EXCHANGE PROJECT IN SENEGAL
Position: EYE Group Leader
Contract: Freelance contract for the duration of the project (January 2022 – April 2023)
Reports to: GEN Africa project coordinator and EYE project coordinator
Location: Senegal (for the period of the visit), otherwise flexible
Hours & Compensation: Competitive wage and allowance. Compensation is negotiable.
Starting Date: 1 May 2022
- Requirements and core competencies:
- Training in a relevant social discipline with experience working in the field of youth leadership. Training and/or experience in creative group facilitation, conflict resolution, social & racial justice issues, or similar.
- Strong ability to self-organize and work in an environment of emergence and complexity.
- Excellent English and French skills are required. Further language competencies, particularly Wolof, are an appreciated bonus.
- The high degree of integrity, reliability, and responsibility for working with youth and young adults.
- Ability to work with persons and organizations from diverse cultural settings.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude.
- Ability to work virtually with a good internet connection
Application
GEN Africa welcomes applications from anyone who fits the role described above. We welcome applications from young Africans based in Senegal. Please send applications to (email – [email protected]) until 13 March 2022.
Click to DOWNLOAD The Group Leader Job Description
Please include the following:
- Cover letter – outlining what motivates you to apply and why you think you match the role description (max. 1 A4 page)
- Resume / CV
- 2 – 3 references
- Earliest possible start date
For any information, questions regarding the project in general, the participant application, or the group leader position, please send us an email at [email protected]
