Borders in the Mind

Borders in the Mind (BIM) is a 3 year long international Strategic partnership for adult education project implemented under the Erasmus+ program, key action of Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices. The coordinating organisation is Interacting S.L. (Spain) and partner organisations are Youth Center of Epirus (Greece), Eurasia Net (France), Youth Power (Cyprus), Euro-Net (Italy), Chain foundation (Netherlands), The Nerve Centre (United Kingdom). 

Context

Modern times are challenging our ideas about hosting and our welcomes are becoming increasingly selective. Our project proposes modern and relevant welcoming services devised by residents of our communities to inform visitors about the place they have come to. In showing others the range of services available, the history and culture of their neighborhood, our participants will learn about who they are and where they belong, within both their own community and in Europe .

Borders in the Mind recognizes the massive upheaval and population shifts within Europe in recent years and seeks to address the needs of both hosts and migrants for mutual respect and understanding of each other’s cultures. 

Aims and objectives

Our principal objective is to devise and deliver innovative, practical and relevant tools  and methodologies to promote tolerance and celebrate difference and identity. The project will also explore intangible culture heritage, looking at how current day cultural beliefs, traditions and lifestyles have been influenced, and continue to be influenced, by events in our past, even if many people are unaware of it. The project will bring this hidden, and sometimes misunderstood, cultural heritage to life. We will help communities to share their common experiences and history, unearthing stories, ideas and themes from the past. 

Activities and products

Adult Educators and Community Workers, across sectors, in both formal and informal contexts will be trained to test and use the products developed by the partnership. The main product will be a series ‘Discovery Events’, designed by participating adults to present to visitors from different neighborhoods, cultures and countries. The process will develop skills and self-confidence, enable and support re-engagement in adult learning and training, encourage European identity, active citizenship and promote entrepreneurship.

To achieve these objectives we will use interactive methodologies, collecting information from stakeholders to undertake audits mapping Cultural Heritage, social services, political boundaries and attitudes. We will use this material to create innovative and entertaining Discovery/Welcome events to the neighborhoods and cultures of our project partners.

The results will be to to shine a new light on previously unknown European communities further enriching our sense of European cohesion and diversity.

Other Products and activities include: 

A template for community based learning projects.

Audits of the objective and subjective borders defining communities.

Templates for "Discovery Events" for neighborhoods or Institutions.

A practical E-Book / Handbook describing methodology, activities, opportunities, motivation and results.

A Training Course for Teachers with innovative methods, materials and motivation.

An International Conference to celebrate and share best practice and showcase the success stories from the project.