Brave Kids V4 in Rzeszów

Brave Kids V4 participants program will involve several elements. The central element of the program involves Artistic Workshops facilitated by two professional Artistic Instructors. Using our “kids teach kids” model, 24 participants (4 artistic groups, one from each V4 country, each consisting of 6 child artists) will be supported to teach and learn from one another in an atmosphere of friendship, peace, and respect for each other’s arts and culture and to collaboratively create a City Final Performance to be presented publicly at the culmination of the project. Because participants do not share a common spoken language, they learn to use their artistic practice as a shared language. This communication challenge ultimately boosts their self-confidence and self-efficacy, while also increasing intercultural knowledge and openness. Workshops are six hours each day, Monday through Friday (9am-12pm and 2pm- 5pm with a break for lunch and play from 12pm-2pm). While children are participating in Artistic Workshops, their Group Leaders will have their own program of activities, described separately. All participants (children and their leaders) will stay with local families who volunteer to host Brave Kids. The host families provide accommodation and food and organize activities, such as sightseeing and other excursions, during free time. The host families are an important part of the project and extend our mission of intercultural dialogue and learning. They also add an intergenerational aspect to the project. Additional activities, including picnics at the beginning and culmination of the project, will complete the experience. The four artistic groups are made up of children/youth dealing with social exclusion and marginalization in a variety of ways: From Poland, SIEMACHA Spot Rzeszów is a part of the Siemacha Association. It is a day care facility for children and youth from school age from 7 years to graduating from high school. From Slovakia, the association "Rom Podskalky" was established in 2014. It is a local initiative and works for the development of Roma culture. From Hungary, project partner Future of Europe Association is in the process of finalizing a group of young dancers from difficult family and socioeconomic backgrounds. From the Czech Republic, MiniMerci is a group of young Roma artists performing traditional dances. Participants will be given pre-project and post-project surveys to measure the impact of the project in terms of intercultural knowledge, self-confidence, self-efficacy, and other variables. Surveys will be developed collaboratively with partners.