folk high school
The initiative European Folk High School has its roots in the Danish educational institution, first presented by priest, poet, and politician N.F.S. Grundtvig (1783-1872) called a ‘Folk High School.’ Grundtvig created the notion of the “people’s enlightenment” in which people engage in lifelong learning, gaining the enlightenment that he considered necessary in order for people to be able to participate as responsible citizens in deliberations about society. At Folk High Schools democracy is understood as something, that is not restricted to the representation of people in political institutions such as in parliament but also embraces participation by citizens in processes of deliberation about the common good. In this initiative we invite youths from all over Europe to take part in a pan-European Folk High School, allowing cultural meetings and new learnings. These perspectives are the core of Folk High Schools today, and this philosophy of non-formal education and democratic participation is the key feature of every training and educational activity in this initiative.
2022
In the summer of 2022, 67 young people from all over Europe gathered for a week at the beautiful Folk High School ‘Krogerup’ in Humlebæk, Denmark, to debate, learn, create, and make their voices heard on the future of Europe. During the week participants explored issues of particular relevance for the European youth. They engaged in different topics and gained leadership resources, shared best practices on activism, worked on sustainable development goals, and became part of a pan-European network to further support their work as youth change agents. The week contained workshops, creative labs, lectures, music, sports, and excursions. Participants chose one out of five thematic areas to dive into with their group during the week. The topics were: ’Migration and Justice’, ‘Technology and Democracy’, ’The New Economy’, ‘Climate and Environment’, and ‘Polarisation in Europe.’
2023
In the summer of 2023, 101 participants from all over Europe came together for a week, in Spain to debate, learn, create, and to make their voice heard on the future of Europe. During the European Folk High School week, participants explored issues of particular relevance for the European youth and co-created solutions to the common challenges that are shared across regions. The week contained workshops, creative labs, lectures, music, sports, and excursions. Participants chose one out of five thematic areas to dive into with their group during the week. The topics were: ’equality in education’, ’breaking borders’, ’economic transformation’, and ‘sustainable living.’ You can read more about this year's topics below.
sustainable living
The multiple crises of the climate, society, and the economy require new models and principles by which we think and act as individuals and society. In this learning circle, we discussed questions such as: What does sustainability mean? What contribution do I want to make and how? What can we learn from each other and how can we support each other? We delved into models of sustainability, circular economy, and planetary boundaries and worked on goals and solutions for sustainable living.
equality in education
In this learning circle we discussed the meaning, role, and purpose of educational systems in Europe. We delved into complex problems facing today's educational systems at local and global levels. We explored educational transformation and delved into what, who, how, and where we educate. Finally, we aimed to understand the need to create spaces for rethinking education in your communities.
economic transformation
What is ‘the economy’ and how does it influence our lives?
The dominant logic of economics depends on a specific set of economic and social relations, a system that is dependent on profit, growth, markets and accumulation. In this learning circle, we dissected ‘the economy’ and delved into alternative economic ideas and systems, that could make our societies more sustainable, more equal and more just.
breaking borders
In this learning circle we explored the importance of breaking down dividing borders. We discussed issues that affect marginalized communities, including asylum seekers, refugees, and individuals living in camps or on streets throughout Europe. We delved into topics of discrimination, stereotyping, and generalization, with a focus on understanding and breaking down the societal, political, and economic borders that exist within and between different communities. Our ultimate aim was to find solutions for these challenges to create a more inclusive and harmonious society.
shared values
The Young Europe project is based on a set of shared values, from which we build our programs around. Our organization supports human rights, and inclusion and sustainability are at the core of all our programs.
We are committed to building a diverse network that inspires individuals of all backgrounds – across nationalities, races, ethnicity, religions, economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, languages, ages, genders and prior experiences – to bring their full selves to the work of creating a more progressive, democratic and sustainable Europe.
The EU values of inclusion, tolerance, justice, solidarity and non-discrimination prevail in our work, and we do not tolerate homophobia, transphobia, racism or other discriminatory practices in our programs.
If you sign up to the European Folk High School, we expect that you share our values, and actively contribute to create a space where these values are implemented.
climate justice
Krogerup Folk High School
migration & minorities
gender & equality
employment & education
democracy & civic space
neo-colonialism & foreign policies
Why do i have to pay a deposit when I sign up?
When you sign up you pay a deposit in the amount of 150€ / 1125 DKK, which you will get reimbursed when you arrive to the venue at the European Folk High School Week. You will get the full amount of the deposit back.
We ask for a deposit, as we unfortunately have experienced many no-shows, where people sign up to events but do not show up without explanation. This makes it very difficult to plan activities, to create groups and it is unfortunate for people who do not get a spot at these events because it has been filled up.
The deposit is a way to ensure participation, so we know how many participants we are hosting and so we can plan the activities accordingly to the number of registrations.
If you are not able to pay the deposit, you can send us an email through nina@nyteuropa.dk. Instead of paying the deposit you will have to attend online meetings with Nyt Europa where you explain your motivation for participating, and through that commit to the event.
is my travel covered
by the program?
Yes, if you travel with train.
We will provide all participants with an Interrail Global Pass. You can read about it here: Interrail Global Pass | Cheapest Train Pass in Europe | Interrail.eu
This means you will be able to travel on rail from any country in the EU.
We will support meet-up locations around Europe, where you can meet fellow participants and travel together. If you want to coordinate a meet-up location from your departure destination, please let us know when you sign up!
If you wish to travel by other means, you are free to do so, yet we cannot reimburse your travel tickets, should you decide for example to travel with plane.
Which days should I arrive and depart from the venue?
Arrival date is the 23rd of July 2023
There is check-in at the venue from 2pm-5pm
Departure date is the 30th of July 2023
The program ends at 12 noon
If you arrive before the 23rd or depart after the 30th you need to find accommodation yourself.
We only cover accommodation from the 23rd-30th of July 2023.
What is the exact
location of the venue?
We will be hosting the European Folk High School at InOut Hostel, Barcelona
Adress: Major del Rectoret, 2 – 08017 – Barcelona, Spain
We do not organize pickups from where you arrive, you have to find your way to the venue yourself.
We however encourage to self-organise meeting points through out Europe
When you have arrived to Barcelona, take the FGC train line S1 or S2
to the station Baixador de Vallvidrera and walk 300 meters to the hostel.
How will we be accomodated at the venue?
You will be sleeping in shared 6-10-person rooms. It is not possible at this venue to get a private room.
The venue is located in the mountains just outside of Barcelona, where there are indoor and outdoor common areas, an outdoor basket field and a swimming pool.
Are the daily meals covered by the program?
Yes. Each day there will be breakfast, lunch, and dinner served at the venue.
There will also be served coffee and tea during the afternoon.
It is possible to buy drinks at the venue, which you will have to cover yourself.
Please write in your application if you have any food allergies or preferences regarding animal products.
What do I do if i cannot pay the deposit when signing up?
If you for economic reasons are unable to pay the deposit, you can send us an email through nina@nyteuropa.dk. Instead of paying the deposit you will have to attend online meetings with the organizing team where you explain your motivation for participating, and through that commit to the event.
What kind of interrail ticket will I receive AND WHERE CAN I BOOK SEAT RESERVATIONS?
We will provide participants with an interrail global pass. The ticket will give you either ‘4 travel days within a month’ or ‘7 travel days within a month’ - see the list of countries below.
After you receive your ticket, you can begin planning and booking the trip. We recommend you download the app Rail Planner, as this makes it easier to activate your pass and plan your route.
We recommend that you start planning your trip soonest to make sure that you can arrive on the 23rd of July. Be aware that some speed trains in Europe require a seat reservation and that you need to book and pay for this yourself. If you want to book seat reservations, you can do that on the interrail webpage: Interrail webpage under "seat reservations". Here you can add your route and it will show you where it is necessary to book seats. It is also possible to book seat reservations directly at the webpages of the train companies.
How can I use my interrail ticket?
The ticket is to be used for transportation to and from Barcelona. With that being said you have either 4 or 7 travel days over a month which means that you can spread the travelling days over a period of one month – the period starts on your first travel day.
One travel day is for 24 hours.
You can split your journey to the European Folk High School taking stops along the way.
Example:
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You live in Germany in Berlin. You receive a ‘4 days within a month’ interrail global pass.
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You can use 1 travel day to travel from Berlin to (for example) Lyon in France and stay a few days exploring the city.
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Then you can use your 2nd travel day to travel from Lyon to Barcelona and spend an amazing week in the European Folk High School.
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We say goodbye on the 30th of July and you can use your 3rd travel day to travel to Milan and visit your new friend that you got during the week.
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Then you can use your 4th and last travel day to travel from Milan to Berlin. All within one month.
Guidelines for interrail pass and travelling days:
4 days of travel within a month:
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Denmark
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Spain
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Portugal
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Germany
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France
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Luxembourg
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Belgium
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Netherlands
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Italy
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Croatia
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Schweiz
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Slovenia
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Austria
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Czech Republic
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Great Britain
7 days of travel within a month:
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Bulgaria
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Estonia
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Finland
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Hungary
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Latvia
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Lithuania
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Poland
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Romania
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Slovakia
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Sweden
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Norway
Contact us if you live in one of the following countries:
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Greece
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Republic of Cyprus
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Ireland
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Scotland
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Malta
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Other island-based countries
I am not able to travel by train – what do I do?
If you are not able to travel by train, we are able to help. Please contact us at emma@nyteuropa.dk or nina@nyteuropa.dk
I do not wish to travel by train – what do I do?
If it is necessary for you to travel by flight due to a time schedule or if you do not wish to travel by train you will have to plan and accommodate this yourself.
Who can participate in The European Folk High School?
This project is for European citizens and residents between 18-30 years. This means that you can participate if you live in an EU country and are between 18-30 years. We unfortunately cannot offer a spot on this year’s high school for citizens
who live outside of one of the 27 EU countries.
What expenses will be covered and which will I have to cover myself?
The interrail ticket (or flight ticket, see above) to the destination and back, a week at the venue and three meals a day is covered when you participate in the European Folk High School.
Transportation from your home to the train station and from the train station in Barcelona to the venue is not covered. But check the interrail pass for local and regional train options that are included in the Pass.
Drinks that you choose to buy at the venue is also not covered by the program.
Will I have to arrive on the 23rd / can I leave before the 30th?
Since the program is made from the 23rd to the 30th we ask you to arrive on the 23rd and stay until the 30th.
There is check-in from 2-5pm on the 23rd. We understand that it might not be possible to arrive in that specific time due to train schedules, but we kindly ask you to arrive during the 23rd, so you don't miss out on the program.
I need to travel from another European country than the one I live in, what do I do?
We provide participants with an interrail ticket that will allow them to travel by rail from the country they live in to Barcelona. This means that we will order a ticket with starting point from the country you live in and end destination in Barcelona. If you are not located in your country at the time of departure the ticket must have a different starting point, which we will need to know as soon as possible.
I would like to arrive earlier or stay longer in Barcelona:
If you want to prolong your stay at the venue in Barcelona you are welcome to contact them. You will have to organize and cover extra days yourself. See their website here: https://www.inouthostel.com/
I would like to upgrade my interrail ticket:
You might want to travel for longer than a month and visit more locations. We are unfortunately not able to offer upgrades on your interrail ticket, even though it would be on the participants own expenses since we are not able to make 120 individually customized interrail passes.