The objectives of the project

Description of the project

Over the last decade Lithuanian public libraries have seen a true renaissance in terms of modernization and diversification of the activities they do and the services they provide to the local public. They have in fact become "de facto" cultural/educational centers representing the wider geographical region they are based in. Our public libraries, being modern in terms of new and renovated facilities, have also started offering innovative educational activities to all age groups of their clients. It is fascinating to observe how a library (still often conservatively understood as a place to read books) attracts new audiences to join their robotics clubs, comics drawing workshops, reading with dogs and many other truly innovative initiatives.

Deineta has been closely working with some of the best public libraries in Lithuania and over the course of the last few years we've managed to successfully implement a few EVS projects together. This time we are shifting our common focus towards to the new and innovative services that public libraries provide for the local communities as this is an excellent area for EVS volunteers to help and learn. This is especially true speaking about the needs and skills of the current Tech/Web savvy generation "Y" youth.

With this project we aim to explore and develop the innovative educational activities proposed by the public libraries of Lithuania with the help of contribution of EVS volunteers who acquire interesting learning spaces in return.

Issues addressed:

With this project we also aim to respond to the lack of international/intercultural contact, especially in the smaller towns of Lithuania (project includes partners from Zarasai, Plungė, Utena); insufficient understanding of volunteering in Lithuania, lack of good examples of alternative activities for the local youth, low awareness of various ways to learn (non-formal education through volunteering and active citizenship in general); and the need to increase the overall level of intercultural tolerance.

All receiving organizations add a multiplying effect to solving the issues above by actively involving volunteers in the large scope of events that they hold throughout the year. Based on the experience from past projects, this is a great space for volunteers to present their culture, talk to the local audiences directly, have discussions on intercultural understanding, teaching/learning to accept other cultures, and crystallizing the main challenges that often prevent a broader awareness in the field. Each public appearance/presentation volunteers have given valuable material for further reflection meetings with mentors leading to a quality learning process. This in turn increases the international/intercultural competences of the organizations, as they become more capable to handle intercultural topics in public, as well as part of the mentorship process.

The objectives of the project

General objectives of the project:

* With the help of international volunteers to explore and to showcase the innovations applied by the public libraries in Lithuania

* To lift the satellite initiatives of public libraries to the international/intercultural level

* To introduce added value to the services public libraries provide by introducing international volunteers

Objectives directly linked with the priorities or Erasmus+:

* To support volunteers in the acquiring (improving) of new competences (knowledge, skills and attitudes) - with the background aim to ease their integration into the labor market, formal education or other fields in the future.

* To provide the professionals of the receiving organizations with opportunities to broaden the cope of their work and methods thus facilitating quality and innovative approaches towards the immediate target groups.

* To help volunteers and organizations (staff that is involved) improve their foreign language skills (namely English and Lithuanian)

* To raise awareness of and tolerance to other cultures through linking people from different countries working in the same institution with one mission.