Project name: Generation ´89
Official website: www.generation89.cz
Project period: November 2009 – October 2010
Project type: Europe for Citizens – Action 2: Active civil society in Europe http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/citizenship
Project description and ambition:
The project “Generation 89” proposes to commemorate the fall of the communist systems in Europe, through the lens of young people born in 1989. Young people from the Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Belgium, the UK, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria and Hungary had a different historical context in which they have lived their lives, and the main objective of this project is to bring together these young people and to offer a space where they can share experiences and expectations for the future. The participants are invited to attend simultaneous two-day meetings in Bucharest, Brussels, Prague and Warsaw in order to develop the Declaration “Generation 89”, the declaration of their generation – the new citizens of a free Europe.
Project objectives:
to gather young people born in 1989 in order to discover similarities and differences in their history and in their societies, and to get them actively involved in developing ideas and proposals for the future, as citizens of the EU, by drafting a Declaration of Generation 89, which will be presented to the European and national institutions, namely Ministries, and Agencies for Youth, Education and Labour;
to give the opportunity of the generation that lived the events of the year 1989 to express their view on that crucial year for Europe, seen at that time and after 20 years, from different perspectives – as protagonist and as spectator.
Project structure:
I. Project launch & Promotion: 16 Nov 2009 – 31 Jan 2010
contacting related partners, potential applicants + media partners
promo campaign
II. Selection & Announcement of winners: 1 Feb 2010 – 1 Mar 2010
jury nomination
selection of local and international representatives
winner announcement
III. Videos preparation: 1 Mar 2010 – 25 Mar 2010
Selected participants will prepare 3-5 minute video, in which they interview their relatives on the events of the year 1989.
IV. 2-day international events in Bucharest, Brussels, Prague and Warsaw: 25 Apr 2010 – 28 Apr 2010
V. Declaration “Generation 89” Production: 30 Apr 2010 – 31 May 2010
VI. Delegation of participants in Brussels: 7 Jun 2010
Key communication messages
1989 was momentous;
we should remember, celebrate and learn from the fact that the changes of 1989 were brought about by individuals acting together;
the voice of young citizens of EU speaking about their European future and Europe´s leaders benefit from hearing their voice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Who should apply:
People born in 1989 from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the UK are invited to participate in the project Generation 89.
Applicants should have:
very good command of English (CEF level C1 or C2). English language profficiency evidence is desirable, but not compulsory
enthusiasm and interest in the European Union’s policies, future change and development
prior knowledge of EU institutions and its history and/or Contemporary history of European countries is an advantage
The project environment will encourage free and open-minded thinking. Applicants should not feel limited by conventional perceptions: the project’s aim is to bring together people who may not normally interact and to offera unique opportunity to share and gain, knowledge, views and experience.
How to apply:
Applicants should complete the on-line application form in English, including an essay on the theme “What can I do for Europe and what can Europe do for me? How do I see myself as an EU citizen in 5 – 10 years?”. The essay will be used to differentiate the application and convince the jury that the applicant has the suitable skills and attitude to participate in the project. The applicant should develop the structure of the essay around one of the following topics:
Education
Employment
Culture
Social issues
Migration
Equal Opportunities
Environment
Economics
Europe in the world
Essay technical requirements:
written in English;
minimum 500 words – maximum 1500 words;
TNR / 12 / 1,5 point / justified;
included in the application form – essay section.
Selection criteria:
A panel consisting of jury members in each participating country will select the participants based on the application form, via the assessment procedure outlined below.
relevance of the issues raised;
feasibilty and vision in treating the topics raised;
structure and coherence in presenting ideas;
the ability to develop new, innovative and creative solutions;
English skills.
The highest ranked candidates will participate in the international events.
Distribution of participants in the meetings:
Brussels: 3 Czechs, 3 Romanians, 3 Polish, 2 Hungarians, 2 Austrians, 2 Bulgarians, 2 Germans, 2 British, 16 Belgians;
Bucharest: 3 Czechs, 3 Belgians, 3 Polish, 2 Hungarians, 2 Austrians, 2 Bulgarians, 2 Germans, 2 British, 16 Romanians;
Prague: 3 Belgians, 3 Romanians, 3 Polish, 2 Hungarians, 2 Austrians, 2 Bulgarians, 2 Germans, 2 British, 16 Czechs;
Warsaw: 3 Czechs, 3 Romanians, 3 Belgians, 2 Hungarians, 2 Austrians, 2 Bulgarians, 2 Germans, 2 British, 16 Polish.
Videos: The selected participants, who are travelling to meetings outside their countries, will prepare a 3-5 minute video, in which they interview their relatives on the events of the year 1989. That historical year for Europe will be remembered by people, who had different experiences and personal memories related to the fall of communist systems in their country and in other countries during that year.
Preparation period: 1 March – 25 March 2010
Technical requirements: the video can be recorded on a normal digital camera, the minimum technical requirement is to have the extension “.avi”;
Language: the interview can be made in the participant’s language or in English. If the video is recorded in national language, the participant will accompany the video with the English translation of the script. The video and the translation (if applicable) will be sent to the local oganizers in digital formats, by 25th March. The videos will be provided with subtitles.
N.B.: If the participants selected for the international meetings fail to provide the video within the deadline, they will not be able to take further part in the project.
Applicants must be able to attend the full programme of the meetings held on 25 – 28 April in Bucharest, Brussels, Prague, or Warsaw.
Deadline: The completed Application form should be submmited by email to applications@generation89.eu by 31 January 2010, 23:00 GMT. Early applications would be very much appreciated.
A list of successful candidates will be announced on the project’s website www.generation89.eu by 12 March 2010.
Meetings in Brussels, Bucharest, Prague and Warsaw
Dates of the meetings: 25 – 28 April 2010
- 25 April: Welcome of participants;
- 26 and 27 April: presentations, video screenings, debates, workshops, visits to institutions and museums, drafting Declaration “Generation 89”;
- 28 April: workshop, optional sightseeing, departure
Working language: English
The selected participants will receive the joining instructions prior to the meetings in due time.
Travel, accommodation and boarding costs will be covered.
Final delegation in Brussels: Four most active participants in international meetings will have the chance to present the ‘Declaration 89’ to EU representatives in Brussels on 7 June 2010.
Contact details:
For further information please contact us at: contact@generation89.eu