Project Summary: The project, "Music Matters" is an intergenerational and intercultural project with two youth organisations from Austria and Ireland. A group of 15 young people from Austria, plus leaders and 20 young people from Ireland, plus leaders will meet for 10 days in Dublin to exchange how music influences people no matter what age. The project will involve non-formal learning with group discussion, open-forums, interactive sessions and workshops to understand the impact music has had on each country, each time in history. The young people will organise interviews both on the street, on-line and with the elderly to discover how music influences and affects each person. Each participant will track their YouthPass learning experience through a shared on-line platform. The result of this project will be shared by newsletter, blog, sharing results on social media and real-time presentations to the community (i.e. the Nursing Homes involved). Th e-material will be also be shared through a network of youth organisations in Europe and internationally which will show how young people can relate effectively to older people by using music as a communication tool. Context/Background Both young and old have an interest in music. Whether music therapy for the elderly or following the latest singles for the young people. To bridge the divide between generations we thought that music would help this. Also the link with Austria - which has a long-standing history in music and in many ways links throughout the centuries with European history. We thought combining the intercultural and intergeneratianal dimension would produce very successful results. Objectives of the Project: Intergenerational: Art and Culture: Social dialogue: Number and profile of participants: A group of 15 young people from Austria, plus leaders and 20 young people from Ireland, plus leaders. Age ranges from 14-17 years of age. Description of activities: - Discussion and open forum on Music. - Working with the elderly and staff dealing with the elderly to discover the power of music. - On-line survey and doing up a presentation on the impact of music. Music in History and Culture. - Ingenerational communication ability through teamwork activities to facilitate communication and engagement. - Intercultural activities to facilitate connection between the Austrian and Irish group. - Adventure Centre to do a team building exercise. - Visiting the European Commissions Offices to learn more about Europe. Methodology: - Non formal learning - discussion, interactive games & group work. - Hands-on learning (interview, on-line survey, doing up newsletter/booklet, phone/enagage with stakeholders & organisations involved in the project) - Music: singing, preforming - Speaking in front of others: presentation skills, communication skills Impact Participants. Those involved in the on-line survey and other recipients of the survey and insights through social media and the blog (Estimate: 500). Vox pop on the street each team to ask 5-15 people about music. Nursing Homes, Cross Care organisers, Day-Care centres (estimate: 350 people). Sharing results (Blog & Newsletter) with youth organisations in Europe, associations for the elderly and non-governmental/governmental organisations. Long term benefits Learning how to bridge the gap between young and old through music. Share techniques & tips that facilitate this.