„Hei Suomi“ – Preparation of the Youth Encounter
From 27 February to 4 March 2023, the preparatory planning visit for the „Hei Suomi“ youth exchange took place in Finland. This visit was carried out in close cooperation with the Finnish partner association Finpolar and laid the foundation for the successful exchange in December 2023. The stay was originally planned in Oulu, but due to structural adjustments an additional location was set up in Rovaniemi, which did not affect the implementation of the project.
During the visit to Finland, the group leaders from Germany and Finland were intensively prepared for the upcoming tasks. In a peer-learning environment, the 7 group leaders trained one another in the areas of non-formal learning, intercultural communication and project management. Particular attention was paid to defining common standards for international youth work, as the approaches in the two countries sometimes differ considerably.
The programme for the youth exchange was further concretised and improved, based on the drafts developed in advance. All group leaders stated that after the visit they felt more confident and competent in their respective areas of expertise. In addition, digital meetings took place in which specific topics such as intercultural communication and the planning of youth exchange projects were addressed.
This planning visit was an important step in ensuring the successful realisation of the „Hei Suomi“ youth exchange and at the same time laid the foundation for future international youth projects. The entire project team is now optimally prepared to carry out the planned activities to a high standard, drawing on the insights and competencies gained.
