United in Diversity: Building a Future Together - Číčov 2025

PROJECT

Participant:

1 – Municipality of Číčov, Číčov

PIC number:

876703752

Project name and acronym:

United in Diversity: Building a Future Together – Číčov 2025 — CICOV2025

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Event number:

101198803

Event name:

United in Diversity: Building a Future Together – Číčov 2025

Type:

Opening ceremony, formal meeting of representatives of the partner towns, workshops, presentations, debates, informational stands, social and cultural activities

In situ/online:

in-situ

Location:

Slovakia, Číčov

Date(s):

25/07/2025 – 27/07/2025

Website(s) (if any):

www.cicov.sk

Participants

Female:

225

Male:

214

Non-binary:

0

From country 1 [Slovakia]:

232

From country 2 [Hungary]:

151

From country 3 [Romania]:

26

From country 4 [Czech Republic]:

30

Total number of participants:

439

From total number of countries:

4

Description

Provide a short description of the event and its activities.

The "United in Diversity: Building a Future Together – Číčov 2025" had been in the sign of promoting exchanges and fostering cooperation among European citizens, emphasizing the richness and diversity of the EU's common heritage. Through a series of interactive activities, workshops, debates, social and culture activities, participants could gain practical experience and a deeper appreciation for the cultural, social and historical ties that unite Europe. During 3 days, interesting, educational, inspiring and entertainment activities were prepared for the participants.

On 25/07/2025 was prepared below mentioned programme:

Opening ceremony with the speech of the mayor to citizens and guests of the event, introducing the objectives of the project, partners and their role in the project, introduction the history and reasons of cooperation.

Ceremonial laying of wreaths at the memorial between the villages of Číčov and Medveľov, where the dam had been broken in 1965 as a result of a huge flood, continuing with the debate on the theme How Hungarians live in different countries, how we can live together with different nations, etc.

Formal meeting of representatives of the partner towns in order to agree future cooperation projects, presentation of local activities, cooperation of EU projects, sharing of practical issues of project implementation: administration, support, expertise in all phases

Cultural evening including: Cultural Performances like local dance, music, songs, national costumes showcasing different European cultures. Ice-breaking session with included interactive games and activities to help participants get to know each other, barbecue.

On 26/07.2025 the participants could attended in:

Workshop on the topic: "Understanding Solidarity in Europe" – which included presentation on the history and importance of solidarity in the European context, connected with Panel discussion about what does the solidarity mean in the context of the EU and how it manifests itself in various areas, such as migration, the economic crisis, the war in Ukraine, etc. Activity also included Q&A session to engage the audience and was ended by the quiz to enhance participants' engagement and reinforce their understanding of solidarity in the European context. The participants had been also introduced to the initiatives and projects that support solidarity - Erasmus+ programs, civic initiatives and campaigns, volunteer projects, European Solidarity Corps.

Presentations by NGOs and organizations working on solidarity projects, highlighting their achievements and impact where the participants had the opportunities to get involved in volunteering activities or to contribute to ongoing solidarity campaigns. The activity continued with a walk in nature, during which association BROZ presented their programs, work, volunteer activities.

Debates on the EU issues consisted of:  Presentation: “The Journey of European Integration"; Discussion on the founding principles and key achievements of the EU; Group activity - Timeline creation of significant events in EU history; Case studies on successful integration initiatives; Reflective discussion on what can be learned from these successes.; Panel Discussion: The EU Today – Achievements and Challenges; Debate session: The benefits of EU Membership. These activities had been ended by quiz focused on the EU achievements and challenges what could enhance participants' engagement and reinforce their understanding of the EU's achievements and challenges.

Debate session: “Addressing Euroscepticism” where the participants could debate the causes of euroscepticism and possible solutions.

Cultural evening focused on presentation and learning about cultures, traditions and customs of the peoples living in the EU, indicating the importance of respecting the diversity of the peoples living in the same Union, enhancing mutual understanding between European citizens, fostering intercultural dialogue.

During all day had been prepared various social and cultural activities like Gastro festival; Performance of pupils from local elementary school and secondary schools; Cultural corner: Presentation of cultural traditions, hand made products, crafts, traditional clothing - folk costumes and folk music of individual participants focused on learning about cultures, traditions and customs of the peoples living in EU.

On 27/07/2025 took place:

Interactive Workshop: Vision for the Future of the EU where the participants created vision boards or mind maps outlining their ideas for the future of the EU.

Final conference associated with recovery of event, research results‘, presentation and understanding of addressed issues - understanding the importance of active participation of EU citizens on EU affairs, EU democratic values, European citizen´s rights, EU policy-making and opportunities how to increase knowledge in ordinary people with space for public debate, the importance of strengthen solidarity, cohesiveness and respect based on different cultural principles.

There were also allday activities like:

Informational stand on the theme: "Voluntarism as a one of the ways of expressing solidarity" focused on how to practice solidarity and to devote a period of citizens lives to helping others.

Active citizens stand on the theme: “Tools of the policy making process” - presentation of the existing tools for policy making process on local level. Presentation of the platforms for citizens´ engagement – The Conference on the Future of Europe, European Citizens Initiative, Debating Europe, Citizens Dialogue.

Public survey in the form of a questionnaire on "Benefits of EU membership".

HISTORY OF CHANGES

VERSION

PUBLICATION DATE

CHANGE

1.0

01.04.2022

Initial version (new MFF).