#EUROSUDSTORIES: YOUTH EXCHANGE “BREAKING BREAD TO WIN HEARTS AND PEACE” IN PREŠOV, SLOVAKIA
It was hard to find words to write about this project. This exchange has given each one of us so much in terms of knowledge, but also in human terms.
We were expecting to discover many new things and improve our English, to work on food and food-related topics, and to participate in various kinds of activities between us and the public. But everything went beyond our expectations.
We were lucky enough to meet many locals, to understand their affection and hospitality. We were in daily contact with one another — despite being very diverse — like a big family. It was heartwarming to see that, despite the distances and dissimilar cultures, everything went well. In fact, it went more than well — so much that many of us couldn’t hold back tears during our goodbyes.
For me, it was very difficult to stop them whenever someone was sharing. But what makes me happy now, after returning to “normal”, is that the ties remain. Some of them I hear almost every day, and I cannot say that this is not special.
Thanks to this project, we had the opportunity to reflect on many often-ignored issues related to food. We prepared dinners and desserts in real dining kitchens and, above all, got to know other cultures through tasting their dishes — a historical mirror of any civilization.
We were always able to communicate (or almost!) what we needed, thanks to everyone’s patience and willingness to understand English that was not always perfect.
We cooked Italian carbonara in front of an audience and offered it to the citizens of Prešov — it was moving to see their faces light up at the first bite. We danced on the street during the evening of traditional desserts in the city center, involving passersby and feeling part — albeit “strangers” — of that small, adorable community.
During our intercultural evening, we tried to represent our culture and culinary tradition as much as possible, offering products and dishes from North to South Italy, and sharing the inevitable gestures (and accents!) that always fascinate others. It was just as wonderful to share the “service” of the evening with Spanish and Portuguese youth — our Western/Mediterranean food is so similar, it felt like home even from afar.
Valentina N.
#EUROSUDSTORIES: AN INTERNATIONAL MEETING “YOUTH ACTIVATOR: MAKE IT HAPPEN” IN ADAMOV, CZECH REPUBLIC
From October 2nd to October 10th, Michael, Gabriele, and I spent eight enriching and unforgettable days in Adamov, Czech Republic.
The local organization DICE scheduled a week full of activities in a breathtaking location in the middle of the Czech forest.
From the first day, DICE’s trainers used a wide variety of non-formal education methods, applying them to two main topics: active citizenship and project management.
The first half of the week was devoted to active citizenship. We began by creating our own definitions to better understand the term, its implications, and to assess our current involvement both locally and internationally.
DICE provided real-life examples, including an inspiring talk by Lenka Polcerova from INEX, a Czech NGO, who explained her role and the broader volunteering landscape within the EU.
A highlight of the week was our trip to Brno, where we explored the alternative neighborhood of Kamenka and met NGO founders and community workers.
The second part of the week focused on project management. Through group activities, we explored questions such as: What is a project? What topics can we address? How do we fund our ideas?
Eventually, we were able to draft a hypothetical project. Personally, I was very satisfied with the experience, especially the chance to experiment with diverse non-conventional methods.
The training helped me expand my social and professional network, and I believe the contacts made could lead to future collaborations — some already have through inspiring friendships.
Elena F.
#EUROSUDSTORIES: E+ TRAINING “INTERACT TO GROW” — KZYZOWA, POLAND
The training course in Poland was a very formative and profound experience for me, both professionally and personally.
I found the non-formal learning methods very exciting, particularly the way disability-related topics were presented. I deepened my knowledge on several aspects.
As this was my first training course, I was initially afraid I wouldn’t be able to express my ideas well — but thanks to the understanding environment created by my peers, everything became easier.
From the very first moment, a friendly atmosphere was established. We introduced ourselves through a simple game, then covered topics like ground rules, team building, and the intercultural evening.
Throughout the week, we tackled how to interact with people with disabilities, exploring inclusion strategies and methodologies. Having participants with disabilities made the course even more inclusive and enriching.
I can confidently say that I’ve learned new methods and tools for how to act and communicate with people with disabilities. I sincerely thank EUROSUD for this opportunity for growth.
Alda P.
#EUROSUDSTORIES: IN LATVIA FOR THE ERASMUS+ PROJECT “INCLUSION+EVS, MAKE IT POSSIBLE!”
From the 14th till the 22nd of October in Latvia, the Erasmus+ project “Inclusion+EVS, Make it Possible!” brought together youth workers from twelve countries, including Gloria and Marta from Italy.
The goal was to explore innovative and creative approaches to social inclusion and to learn about EVS opportunities.
Using non-formal education methods like group work and outdoor activities, we experienced new learning approaches that helped us understand social inclusion from different perspectives.
It was an unforgettable experience — beyond the training, we explored Liepaja, tasted traditional dishes, danced to folk songs, and met people who were genuinely motivated to change society.
Marta B., Gloria M.
#EUROSUDSTORIES: EVS IN GEORGIA “TOWARDS PEACE BUILDING AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT”
Volunteering abroad is a great way to experience different cultures and make new friends, while also learning valuable life skills.
Yesterday, our EUROSUD volunteers Pasqualino and Dario began their long-term EVS in Georgia with the Civil Forum for Peace Association.
For nearly a year, they will contribute to the project “Towards Peace Building and Youth Development,” supporting post-conflict reconstruction and empowering local youth.
Wishing them the best of luck in their journey!
#EUROSUDSTORIES: “START UP AND SUCCEED” IN MALTA
Three EUROSUD youth workers recently took part in the training course “Start Up and Succeed” in Malta.
“This training course was a great opportunity for growth and learning. It was very well-organized and included many interactive activities. I particularly appreciated learning the Canvas Model through practical exercises.
After forming teams, we developed startup ideas. Our group focused on creating ‘creepy tours’ and theatrical experiences to show the city in a unique way.
One memorable moment was when we practiced public speaking and pitched our ideas to a panel. We even turned off the lights during our presentation and performed a creepy legend, accompanied by a haunting song to set the mood!
We also visited the McCast Entrepreneurship Centre, which helps young people transform creative ideas into businesses.
The accommodation was great, and we had time to explore Malta. Trainers encouraged feedback through ‘family groups’ that met daily.
Overall, this experience helped me realize my passion for social entrepreneurship and challenged me to reflect on startup challenges and solutions.”
Giulia M.
#EUROSUDSTORIES: “EUROPLOYMENT – BUILD YOUR PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY” IN PRAGUE
From August 20th to 27th, with the association EUROSUD, we participated in the youth exchange “Euroployment” in Prague alongside participants from Czech Republic, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, and Portugal.
The main theme of the exchange was youth employability. The goal was to boost our competitiveness in the job market by identifying our personal strengths and working on self-development. All activities were designed around this topic.
After project introductions and ice-breaking games, we explored the job market situations of each country and compared differences and similarities. We discussed the causes and effects of youth unemployment, the key skills required for successful job searching, and how to pursue personal development.
A full day was dedicated to a theater workshop to enhance self-confidence, social interaction, improvisation, and body language. We also visited Impact Hub Prague — a vibrant co-working space with programs for startups — where two young entrepreneurs shared their stories.
Later in the week, we focused on practical tools: CV writing, cover letters, job interview simulations, and managing web reputation. It was a beautiful and useful experience where we not only developed skills but also enjoyed the wonderful city of Prague during our free time and intercultural events.
Emanuel, Francesca, Michele, Davide, Eleonora
#EUROSUDSTORIES: YOUTH EXCHANGE “MEDIA CREATOR” IN LONDON
From August 9th to 17th, 2017, I had the amazing opportunity to join the “Media Creator” youth exchange in London. It was an enriching and enjoyable experience.
On day one, we focused on portrait photography and public speaking. I learned to better use my DSLR and improved my confidence with constructive feedback. Day two explored self-branding, where we created posters and interviewed people about how they promote themselves.
In the evenings, we enjoyed intercultural presentations and traditions. We also engaged in outdoor trust-building activities and created a video on the influence of social media.
Later, my group created a tutorial on Adobe Lightroom. This helped me learn technical vocabulary and team collaboration. Another highlight was a treasure hunt in Crystal Palace Park — a fun way to build teamwork and orientation skills.
We learned how to improve CVs and self-branding for job applications, including creating a personal logo and video interview. A guest speaker, Jonas Lekevicious, inspired us by sharing his journey to success.
Each day ended with reflection time — a space for meditation, self-awareness, and team bonding. This exchange helped me develop leadership, critical thinking, and intercultural skills while experiencing the dynamic city of London.
Thiene, 13 September 2017 — Sara B.
#EUROSUDSTORIES: “CURIOUS BRIGHT SILENCE”
When I joined the Italian team for the “CURIOUS BRIGHT SILENCE” youth exchange, I was afraid — I didn’t know anything about the topic and feared I wasn’t ready. But as soon as the project started, my doubts disappeared.
Everything was exactly as described in the info pack. The trainers and staff made us feel at home immediately, and EUROSUD was always there for support.
This was my third exchange, and by far the most stimulating. The trainers treated us like friends, making us feel comfortable.
The topic — sound as communication, especially in nature — was fascinating. We recorded sounds outdoors in the stunning setting of Vila Ilgai, surrounded by woods and a lake. We learned to use sound and video editing tools, worked in teams, and had tasks in amazing places like Vilnius, Trakai, a tech college, and a recording studio.
The trainers each brought their own style, and every activity carried a meaningful message — about communication barriers, inclusion, and empathy. These were the best, most fun tasks I’ve ever done on an exchange.
I grew so much during this week — becoming more open-minded, letting go of prejudices, and building strong friendships. I thank EUROSUD, our trainers, participants, and my incredible team leader.
I won’t forget it, ever.
Asia (Troki, 11.09.2017)
#EUROSUDSTORIES: “EUROPLOYMENT – BUILD YOUR PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY”
I participated from August 20th to 27th, 2017 in the project “EUROPLOYMENT – Build Your Professional Identity” in Prague.
The program was flexible and not binding — some activities were even conducted outdoors with external staff. The city itself was worth visiting, and thanks to some free time, I was able to explore it.
Although I encountered a few issues at the host dormitory, they were resolved as much as possible by Alexandra, the project manager.
There was great interaction with participants from across Europe and positive communication with the organizing team, who were always available when needed.
From my point of view, I would definitely do this type of experience again. It was a great opportunity for personal growth.
Eleonora M.
#EUROSUDSTORIES: “MEDIA CREATOR II”
Here is the feedback from one of our participants involved in the course MEDIA CREATOR II:
“MEDIA CREATOR II developed practical and innovative digital skills that are in demand by employers and clients, especially for those on an entrepreneurial path. Youth were directly engaged as media creators.
Each workshop included an introduction followed by development time. Participants learned new skills and immediately applied them through group tasks.
While group work was useful for team building, it did limit individual skill development due to the ‘free rider’ issue.
By the end of the project, I learned how to use media tools, build self-branding awareness, and improve communication and teamwork.
This experience challenged me and improved my media skills. The support team gave excellent advice and encouraged out-of-the-box thinking. Fellow participants were well-prepared and offered great insights.”
Gaia C. (22.08.2017)
#EUROSUDSTORIES: “NO LIMITS TC – 2° CHAPTER” IN POLAND
From May 28th to June 5th, in Krzyżowa (Wrocław area), Poland, we took part in “NO LIMITS TC – 2° Chapter”.
This was a training for trainers, aimed at people working with youth, minorities, and disadvantaged communities. We explored what it means to be part of a minority — immigrants, rural communities, Roma people, and those with disabilities — and how to include them in society.
We began by analyzing what a youth worker is. In our first meeting with a sociologist, we shared why we joined the project. Our goal was to become more responsible and supportive individuals — learning to give space and independence rather than just care.
Sharing our experiences with people from other countries helped us understand ourselves and the challenges minorities face in our respective societies.
We also organized and participated in several impactful workshops. One involved guessing our identities based on clues others gave us — often funny but sometimes revealing and emotional. Another required us to cross a line in response to questions, highlighting the differences in our personal histories and privileges.
We strongly recommend joining projects like this. They help you understand yourself and learn how to support others — not just on your own but by collaborating and building something lasting. These experiences create valuable networks and offer practical tools to help you write future projects, support your community, and improve your skills.
Gabriella M., Ruggero P., Veronica S.
#EUROSUDSTORIES: TRAINING COURSE “FIND BALANCE THROUGH PARKOUR” IN VITSA, GREECE
From April 19th to 29th, 2017, in Vitsa (Zagori, Ioannina, Greece), the training course “Find Your Balance Through Parkour” took place.
This Erasmus+ project aimed to promote a shared educational approach to parkour and intercultural exchange among youth. It focused on parkour as a physical and mental training method that helps people overcome obstacles — both literally and metaphorically.
The underlying philosophy of parkour emphasizes altruism, efficiency, self-improvement, and awareness. The setting — a small town full of natural and architectural diversity — was ideal for this training.
Participants came from eight countries: Italy, Greece, Cyprus, France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, and Croatia.
Project objectives included:
- Developing parkour skills
- Exchanging knowledge and technical competences
- Creating a practical tool (video guide)
- Promoting healthy lifestyles
- Learning to plan social campaigns
- Enhancing teamwork and videography skills
These goals were met through workshops, games, open-space training, and challenges. It was my first Erasmus+ project, and it exceeded my expectations!
The open-minded, optimistic attitude of the participants and the stunning natural setting — Vikos Canyon — made the experience unforgettable. It helped us reconnect with our bodies and with nature.
Simone A.