SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The beaches of Lefkas island are part of a natural and beautiful patrimony which contribute directly and indirectly to the local economic dynamics. With a view to preserve these beaches, to contribute to their cleanness and to encourage locals and visitors into more responsible behavior, we launched this multinational volunteering project, within the frame of the program “European Solidarity Corps”. This project involved 24 volunteers from Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Tunisia, Bulgaria and Romania 8
countries of Europe and Mediterranean.
For a month, from 18th of May to 18th of June 2020, these volunteers realized a project of common interest and public utility. The volunteers were deeply involved in this project by participating in the cleaning of the beaches and taking initiative to aware the public by implementing dissemination actions. In the course of this experience these young
volunteers broadened their horizons while meeting each other and exchanged good practices with their European and local peers. They acquired knowledge and developed competences regarding the maritime environment’s preservation and the running of a project related to the intercultural mediation. Besides, they raised their own awareness
about different styles of life which are more eco-friendly and applied the principle “Think globally, act locally”. The volunteers developed pedagogical and technical competences which allowed them to launch actions of informal education which targeted the local population.
This project introduced new habits within the professional as well as the family environment.
With the cooperation of local institutions and enterprises, this collective project involved some young people stemming from unprivileged areas and/or with special needs, which helped their social integration as their chances to equality. It also helped us retain the distinction of “blue flag” won by 8 of our beaches, raising thus their attractiveness among the potential visitors. This acted beneficially on the island’s economy, which is
predominantly dependent on the Tourism.
Based on the project’s results, the partners involved were able to take initiatives and launch action groups which aim at cleaning and arranging the coast. This had a positive impact on the local communities thru the active engagement of the young European volunteers.
In the local newspaper – Aroma Lefkadas
In the local newspaper – Lefkada Today
AIMS OF OUR PROJECT were:
1- Cleaning the beaches of our island and reducing the plastic garbage and other toxic substances scattered over the beach. This work will be done by the young volunteers who will commit themselves to this project of social responsibility.
2- To enable the volunteers to develop and enhance new competences and skills related to the environment and a sustainable lifestyle.
3- To favor the self-fulfillment, the actions of creative citizenship and the spirit of initiative among the young people thru this highly engaged project.
4- To improve the intercultural dialog and the collective reflection among the young beneficiaries of this project, as they interact based on their ideas and experiences about recycling and sustainability.
5- To raise the awareness of the local society & the public at large scale about the urgency of protecting the seaside and behaving in a more responsible way as regards the garbage especially of plastic, by involving them to the actions of cleaning, creative workshops & the dissemination event.
6- To contribute to the local economic and sustainable development by taking mild advantage of the natural heritage.