Our young ambassadors
The aim of our project
The European Solidarity Corps project of the Young Ambassadors has born from an innovative idea formerly foreseen to create a positive spirit and accompany the European Football championship which took place in France in 2016. The services of the State, via the prefecture of the Gironde, have requested our association to exercise activities aimed at public reflection in order to carry out an ambitious intercultural project of mobility and promotion of the European values throughout the territory of Bordeaux and Gironde.
The original idea was to receive a heterogeneous group of young volunteers and provide them with a two-month-long formation, thanks to the intervention of different collaborators from the University of Bordeaux and other professionals. The aim was to deploy them in the aforementioned areas in order to talk about Europe, multiculturalism, diversity, peace and respect, but also to animate linguistic workshops, radio shows and to intervene in big cultural or sport events.
A high number of structures have taken and might take advantage of the present dispositive: territorial collectives, associations, cultural, scientific or sportive institutions or even the European consulates present here in Bordeaux.
During the first season of ambassadors 2015-2016 we have received a heterogeneous group of 60 young people, being composed of 30 Europeans from 7 different countries (Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania) and 30 French carrying out their Civil Service. This project was the largest and longest project organized within the framework of the Euro 2016. Likewise, it was also the biggest project ever carried out by the MEBA since its foundation in 2009. The above would have not been possible without the active and constant support from the Bordeaux Metropolis and specially the UEFA 2016. At the national level this project has been remarked by the Youth and Sport Ministry as an example for future similar programmes in France. The project of young ambassadors has considerably transformed the activities of the MEBA turning it into an organisation working with roughly 100 partners every year.
In 2019, the project evolved and a new, sporting dimension was added, in order to accompany the upcoming Olympic Games 2024 in Paris. Following its success and thanks to the lasting support of the Erasmus+ Youth & Sport Agency our board of directors and variety of our local partners, the MEBA will host yet the 7th season of young ambassadors in 2021-2022!
Reception of our young ambassadors
The project of the Ambassadors of European and Olympic values is strongly supported by the European Commission (Erasmus+ Youth & Sport Agency), the state (via the Civil Service programme), the New-Aquitaine Region (mobility support) and also by the Bordeaux Metropolis via TBM.
What are the fields of our interventions? They are numerous and non-limited. Our interventions can take place during school time as well as after-school activities, in youth centres, specialised centres (e.g. for disabled or retired people), associations, universities, radio or TV shows, mobility forums, cultural or sporting events. Upon their arrival to France, our ambassadors undergo an intensive 2-month training, enabling them to prepare presentations/quizzes/workshops/physical activities on almost any given topic related to European or Olympic values.
What is the nature of our interventions? Workshops aimed at general awareness about Olympic values (respect, friendship and excellence), the European Union and its institutions, linguistic and cultural workshops, educational games for children and youth, bilingual assistance at various events and support in all kind of locally organised events related to European topics.
Your structure desires to welcome our ambassadors? The intervention of our volunteers is free of charge except for the transport fees (outside the Bordeaux Metropolis). Please note that adherence to the MEBA by every participating structure is required.