Youth Exchange Project "European Express" will involve six countries organized in six mixed multinational Teams, and will place different understandings of culture and plurality in dialogue with the aim of deepening engagement with issues of cultural interaction, civility, and diversity in a European and Global context. 75 young people from UK, Germany, Bulgaria,Finland, Russia and Ukraine will spend 9 days living and working together in Durham City, North-East of England. The theme of the exchange, "European Express", will give the opportunity for these young people to explore the role of collaborative youth work, discussion and reflection on common and current European issues. In advance of the exchange each group has agreed to provide information about their country, organisation or group and concerns that are in their regions. Prior to the exchange there will be a collaborative discussion and negotiation with all the partners involved about the programme, who will do what and when, what activities will take place, how we will ensure that everyone is kept safe and secure, how evaluation will happen will set the scene for non-formal learning and will also promote social and personal development. The project is organised around a progressive series of interactive activities that integrate every participant. All the activities will be organized into mixed multinational groups - Team Castles, each named after famous UK castles. Consequently, in non-formal ways, they will develop speaking, listening and negotiating skills as they participate. They will be encouraged to value one another's contributions which will address personal and social development. In particular "volunteering" to take responsibility to plan and make a presentation to others, will contribute to the critical thinking of the participants. Project objectives will include: *Engaging young people in the preparation for the intercultural exchange with consideration for potential cultural sensitivities. *Enabling young people to learn from one another about their different cultures. *Providing opportunities for learning from each other and improve their ability to work as a team. The desired impact is as follows: *The importance of valuing and continuing the international links and life long friendship established in the exchange *Strategic European and global challenges - the importance of positive collaboration amongst the EU nations *The skills for working in a multicultural environment *Understanding of other cultures and openness to other cultures *Appreciation of gender equality Improved relations with local and international communities will be one of the significant longer term benefits. Increase in work and study motivation, better chances in the youth employability will be another expected long term impact on the participants.