"Direction Bruxelles-Bretagne" is an exchange project between two groups of young people. This two-stage project consists in: first going with a group of young people from the community centre La Maison de quartier des Cités Jardins (Brussels, Belgium) to meet a group of young people from La Maison des Jeunes de Pluneret (France) and secondly inviting the group of young people from France to our community centre in Belgium. The purpose of this exchange is to bring together two groups of young people with different socio-cultural and environmental (rural coastal / city) backgrounds, as well as to widen these young people’s world perspective, broaden their horizons and develop a new outlook on their surroundings. The idea is to develop respect for one another, solidarity and mutual assistance through civic-minded actions, sports and touristic activities aiming at discovering each other region and country. One of the strengths of the project lies in the cultural, social and gender diversity of the participants. This will help us experience such an important issue as the integration of young people from different cultural backgrounds. We would like to give them the opportunity to go beyond preconceived ideas about “others” while learning how to deal with a different culture. We hope to help them see how to build bridges despite differences through the confrontation of their needs with those of others. The age group targeted is 13 to 15 years old, with a maximum number of 20 participants. This age range was not chosen randomly: the beginning of adolescence is a key period, when young people are still unaware of cultural differences. At this age, they start developing their own opinions and start coping with feelings of injustice. With this project, we hope to help them build up a positive image of themselves, to discriminate what is good from wrong for themselves and to overcome some prejudices. In other words, we stand for equal opportunities. A second focal point of this project is to help young people’s gain a greater awareness concerning environmental issues. We wish to stimulate their reflection on environmental issues based on the lifestyle we choose and its consequences. By comparing a capital city with a protected coastline where actions are take so as to enhance /reinforce visitors ‘responsibility, we can question what is done or not done by big cities to fight against incivility, or to protect green space like the Sonian forest. The exchange project will take place in July 2014. In Bretagne, we will focus activities on environmental issues. The program includes sports, civic-minded and environmental activities. In Brussels, the program revolves around crossculturalism. Among others, water sports, cultural, touristic and environmental activities as well as participatory activities and breaks will be organised. The project leaders' role will be to encourage the young people’s involvement in the project. Therefore, a participatory process will be started before the summer exchange. Both stages of the project will be the result of a long period of preparation with the participants. Young people will take part in the organisation process throughout the year through the planning up of activities and promotion of their project. We consider that this project might have the following impact on the target public: broadening one’s horizons, gaining an openminded outlook on the world, gaining autonomy, learning how to find one’s place in a group, knowing and sharing other people’s environment, develop social and cultural tolerance and solidarity. Implementing such a partnership between the community centre La Maison de quartier des Cités jardins (BELGIUM) and the youth centre La Maison des jeunes de Pluneret (FRANCE) is a true challenge for both institutions. We believe that the success of this project will lead to long-term cooperation. Through this exchange project, we're also counting on having a positive impact on social cohesion in the neighbourhood. In addition, two events, integral parts of the project will be organized: the village feast of Pluneret (FRANCE) and our solidarity lunch at the community centre (BELGIUM). These events, initiated by the young participants, aim at strengthening intergenerational and intercultural cohesion at a local level. We hope that the benefits of this collaboration will have positive consequences on both the young participants and the activity leaders as well as the local residents of both areas.