Launching the LIVE Project: Erasmus+ Training Program

 

Today marks the official start!

We’re thrilled to announce the kickoff of our LIVE Project (Linguistic Integration for Vibrant Education), a KA153 Erasmus+ Training Program. Today, on October 14th, we’re gathering with our partners to get the ball rolling! Everything is in place, from reservations to planning, and we’re excited for the training event set to take place in Vienna from June 29th to July 5th, 2025.

So, What is the LIVE Project About?

LIVE stands for Linguistic Integration for Vibrant Education. This project focuses on supporting multilingualism and fostering a deeper understanding of linguistic diversity, especially in the context of migration and multicultural societies. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where all languages are valued as part of a person’s identity, regardless of how or when they were learned.

 

Our Partners

We’re proud to collaborate with our amazing partners:

• Wonders of Milas (Turkey)
• Fundatia Alba Eglesia (Romania)
• GASZO (Poland)

Together, we aim to address the challenges and opportunities presented by multilingualism, especially for youth workers and educators who are at the forefront of this vital work.

The iLanguage Concept: Claiming Your Language as Your Own

At the heart of our project is the concept of iLanguage, which challenges the traditional definitions of “mother tongue” or “foreign language.” Multilingualism is becoming more common due to migration and the increasing presence of English as a lingua franca in global communication, business, and science.

For many of us who live multilingual lives, or for those raising children in multilingual environments, it’s not always easy to define which language is “ours.” Sometimes, a second or third language becomes so deeply integrated into our daily lives that it feels just as natural as our first. Yet, traditional labels don’t always give us the right to claim these languages as our own.

The iLanguage approach recognizes that any language we acquire—whether through childhood, education, or life experiences—is an inherent part of who we are. It empowers people to embrace and take ownership of all the languages they speak, fostering a sense of belonging and identity through linguistic diversity.

Why Multilingualism Matters

According to Statistics Austria, Austria is home to a rich and diverse multilingual community. As of January 1st, 2023, there are 1,587,000 foreign nationals living in Austria, with the largest immigrant groups being from Germany, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey. Austria has also seen a sharp increase in Ukrainian citizens due to recent events.

This diversity demands a deep understanding of the complexities of multilingual and multicultural integration. The LIVE Project is designed to equip youth workers with the tools they need to create inclusive spaces, raise awareness about language diversity, and combat language stigmatization in their communities.

Challenges and Goals: Our SWOT Analysis

At the beginning of the project, we conducted a SWOT analysis to identify key challenges and opportunities in addressing multilingualism in Austria. Here are some of the identified weaknesses and goals:

• Increase linguistic diversity awareness: We need to improve how our communities, especially youth, understand and embrace linguistic diversity.
• Reduce language stigmatization: Living in a multilingual society should not lead to the marginalization of non-dominant languages.
• Boost cultural and multilingual awareness: We aim to foster a greater understanding of how different languages and cultures coexist and enrich our lives.
• Create inclusive, non-formal educational spaces: Our goal is to build welcoming environments that celebrate all languages and cultures.
• Engage youth workers: Youth workers play a crucial role in shaping the next generation’s perspective on multilingualism and multiculturalism. Through the LIVE Project, we aim to support their efforts.

Looking Forward

The LIVE Project is more than just a training program—it’s a movement to recognize the value of all languages as part of our identity. We’re excited to continue this journey with our partners and participants, creating a more inclusive, multilingual future for everyone.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to prepare for our exciting event in Vienna in 2025!

Thank you for your support! 🌍💬

#LIVEProject #ErasmusPlus #Multilingualism #iLanguage #YouthEmpowerment #LinguisticDiversity #InclusiveEducation #CulturalAwareness #Vienna2025 #TrainingProgram #MulticulturalCommunity