From the 1st till the 8th of June, our volunteers alongside young people from Ukraine, Italy, Romania and Poland took part in an International Training Course program in Kastoria, Greece.
The project aim was to foster social inclusion and empathy for immigrants and refugees through youth work, providing youth workers with the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge to address this critical issue effectively.
In the following lines, you can explore the experiences that our volunteers gained through their participation.
Tomisin:
I recently had the opportunity to participate in the “Pathways to Inclusion” Erasmus+ training course in Kastoria, Greece. Over the course of the training, we explored what meaningful youth inclusion truly looks like, not just in theory, but in practice.
One of the most valuable parts of the experience was engaging with participants from diverse backgrounds and learning from their unique perspectives. During the Multicultural Night, I was given the opportunity to share a bit about Nigeria, our rich cultural heritage, diverse languages, traditions, and some of the things that make our country unique. I enjoyed answering questions, exchanging ideas, and challenging a few misconceptions along the way. It was a reminder that some of the most powerful forms of inclusion begin with genuine conversations and cultural exchange.
The Pathways to Inclusion training focused on creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and included. For me, the Multicultural Night was a perfect reflection of that vision. Every participant had the opportunity to share their identity and learn from others, and by the end of the evening, we were no longer just individuals from different countries, we were a community.
Beyond the sessions, I leave with new knowledge, meaningful connections, and a renewed commitment to supporting spaces where young people can thrive, contribute, and be heard.
My thanks to Erasmus+ and Greek Youth Mobility, for creating opportunities where cultures meet, stories are shared, and friendships are built beyond borders. 🇳🇬🇬🇷✨
Kynthia:
From the 1st till the 8th of June 2006 I took part in the Training Course “Pathways to Inclusion: Empowering Youth Workers for Diverse Communities” in Kastoria, Greece, organized by Greek Youth Mobility.
I was very happy to enjoy the international atmosphere of the project as the participants came from different countries: Italy, Ukraine, Romania and Poland. I have been to other Erasmus+ projects in the past, but every project is unique and special in its own way, and so was this one! I valued the company of young people sharing similar concerns but also expressing different thoughts and ideas on topics related to inclusion, society and migration. I really liked the fact that every participant had the opportunity to plan and implement his/her own activity related to inclusion and/or migration. I organized an activity to show how some people in society got randomly more power and privileges than others and if there are ways to change that. I also enjoyed participating in different kinds of activities involving theatre of the oppressed, static photographs, personal opinions about social and political issues, creating noises for different settings, EU migration simulation, singing etc.
I find that the project had a really good balance in terms of the timetable. We were lucky to experience all the activities, energizers and discussions with an excellent panoramic view of Kastoria lake. I was able to bond even deeper with the other participants during our interaction with the locals in Kastoria city. We got the chance to eat in a really nice restaurant by the lake, cross the lake with a boat and visit the dragon’s cave. I am really grateful for participating in such a wonderful and enriching project, I would definitely recommend participating in future Erasmus+ projects organized by Greek Youth Mobility!
From the 20th till the 30th of March, our volunteers alongside young people from Romania, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Turkiye, Czechia and North Macedonia took part in an International Youth Exhange program in Sarata Monteoru, Romania.
The project aim was to increase volunteering spirit and civic engagement.
In the following lines, you can explore the experiences that our volunteers gained through their participation.
Stefanos:
This Erasmus was a truly unforgettable experience for me.
I had the chance to meet amazing people from different countries and cultures and even though we came from different backgrounds, we discovered that we have so many things in common.
Through this project I learned a lot, not only about the main topic, volunteering and civic engagement, but also about teamwork, communication and as I said before about different cultures and I had the opportunity to see things from different perspectives through the presentations each country did for another country, as my team and I presented Czechia.
A big part of this learning came from the workshops and the intercultural nights that our amazing facilitators organized for us, which made the whole experience even more meaningful and interactive.
What I will keep the most are the moments we shared, the laughs, the discussions and the friendships we created through the project.
Anastasia:
This Erasmus+ program in Romania was, without a doubt, one of the best chapters of my life! Focusing on civic engagement, it was an incredible journey centered in Sărata Monteoru and Buzău, where I learned so much through a perfect mix of excursions, team games, projects and unforgettable intercultural nights.
To be honest, I had grown a bit cynical about our generation’s creativity, thinking we rely too much on AI and fast-given information. But this project proved me wrong in the most beautiful way. Seeing how every group took the same prompt and turned it into a completely unique, artistic masterpiece was truly inspiring! It was amazing to witness how much talent we have when we put our phones down and work together.
I loved that we started by playing like children, it broke the ice and reminded us of a lost innocence that brought us so close, so fast. It wasn’t just a seminar like I was expecting, it was a deep, hands-on collaboration where we learned through doing. I am so grateful to Greek Youth Mobility for giving me this opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and grow.
Beyond the workshops, we had the chance to truly explore the local culture. We wandered through the quiet beauty of Sărata Monteoru and discovered the vibes of Buzău. A definite highlight was our excursion to the Muddy Volcanoesa landscape so unique it felt like we were on another planet!
From discovering the deep cultural roots of eight different countries to the simple joy of learning how to say “Cheers!” and even a few curse words in every language during our nights together, every moment was a gift. I’m leaving with my heart full, my faith in our generation restored and a deep hope that our paths will cross again soon!
Eirini:
My first ever Erasmus+ experience in Romania was an enlightening journey of knowledge, self-discovery and soulful connection. This trip had everything I had imagined and hoped for and even more.
The topic of our youth exchange was «volunteering and civic engagement». I loved the ways of learning in this project since many activities took place in nature, through teamwork and interactive methods. Furthermore, we learned how to share our emotions, thoughts and ideas through art and realized that sometimes it can express feelings better than words do. Overall, through the workshops and the activities, we were able to enhance our imagination, cooperation and critical thinking and ,most importantly, to reconnect with our inner child.
One thing I also really enjoyed was the intercultural nights. We had the opportunity to explore the participating countries more deeply and learn more about their languages, their habits and their culture through food-tasting, traditional dances and educational games.
During these ten days in Romania, I had the joy to meet new people from all over Europe. I felt really lucky to have met all these versatile, gentle and open minded persons. It’s amazing how in ten days we managed to connect so deeply, create so many happy and unforgettable memories and even make future plans. Through this experience, I was able to understand the world and myself a little better, but also realized that despite all our differences or perhaps the language barriers, we are more alike than we think.
This Erasmus+ experience felt like a warm hug that filled us with smiles, memories and inspiration and will definitely be a compass for our future. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone!
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Giorgos:
My first Erasmus+ was a truly one-of-a-kind experience, unlike anything I’ve ever done before.
Looking back, there wasn’t a single moment where I didn’t feel like I was growing—it genuinely felt like I was becoming a better version of myself every single day. The biggest takeaway for me was learning how to connect with people from totally different backgrounds. I learned how to work together, have fun, and really appreciate personalities that were so different from what I was used to back home. By the time the program ended, I felt completely fulfilled. Even though it was hard to say goodbye, the happiness I gained over those ten days was so overwhelming that it just pushed any sadness aside.
If I could say one thing to the world, it’s this: no matter how busy or stuck you might feel, you have to find a way to do this. It’s an experience that is worth every second.
From the 10th till the 20th of April, our volunteers alongside young people from Italy, Croatia, Germany, Bulgaria and Romania took part in an International Youth Exhange program in Alezio, Italy.
The project aim was explore how gender equality is deeply connected to who has a voice, who participates, who decides and who remains invisible in society.
In the following lines, you can explore the experiences that our volunteers gained through their participation.
Vivi:
I participated in an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Italy, where I had the opportunity to meet and interact with young people from many different nationalities. It was very interesting and inspiring to talk with others and realize how much we all have in common despite our cultural differences. One of the highlights of the experience was the strong sense of intercultural exchange and connection that we built throughout the project.
Together with the Greek delegation, we organized a very special Greek Night on Easter Sunday, where we shared our culture, traditions, and food with all the participants. It was a joyful and meaningful moment that brought everyone closer together. I also really enjoyed attending and experiencing the intercultural nights organized by the other countries, which gave me the chance to learn more about their traditions and ways of life.
During the project, we visited different places and explored the local environment, which helped us better understand the culture and history of Italy. Overall, this experience was very enriching, as it allowed me to develop my communication skills, open my mind to other cultures, and create strong international friendships.
Georgia:
Hi, I’m Georgia and I’ve recently participated in my first youth exchange in Alezio, Italy.
Through my intercultural experience, I felt my roots being strengthened while also recognizing both the differences and similarities we share. The project, entitled “Equal Voices,” truly lived up to its name. I listened to many inspiring people sharing profound ideas on gender issues, discrimination, and inequality.
I also had the opportunity to participate in group discussions, where we reflected on our ideas and developed them into a final outcome—a video. This process made me feel more positive and optimistic about the future: a future in which everyone’s voice is fairly heard and supported.
What impressed me most was the implementation of the Theatre of the Oppressed. I thoroughly enjoyed both the preparations and the final performance, which was especially meaningful given the limited time we had. After all, we can all express our voice through art, whether verbally or not.
This time, I celebrated Easter in a completely different way. Although we were away from home, we managed to make a foreign place feel like home and to “invite in” young people from different countries to experience a part of our culture as well.
Yro:
“It’s been two weeks since I came back from the youth exchange, and I still can’t fully unpack this experience – my makeup bag included. As this was my first Erasmus+ program, I went in with no specific expectations, no lingering thoughts, really just a blank canvas. I quickly realised that not only would I be meeting incredibly unique people living lives very different from my own, but that I would also grow to care for them far more than I ever expected. Spending ten days in that monastery, that I so miss, reshaped my perspective in many different parts of life. The conversations I had, the stories that were shared and the vulnerability surrounding the topic of having your voice heard, whoever you may be, showed me that inequality has many different faces for different people. Whatever is the first thing to pop in my mind when I hear the word “inequality” is almost never what someone else imagines, and as naive as that may sound, it’s difficult to truly understand it until you face it in such a direct and personal way.
What made this experience even more meaningful to me, was the way it brought people together not only through discussions, but through creativity in all its forms, like theatre activities, painting and performances. Even our intercultural nights became moments of genuine connection, where we shared music, dances, traditions, and parts of our cultures with one another. Probably my favourite part of the entire exchange was our final event in the small nearby town of Casarano. It was such a beautiful and artistic atmosphere, filled with music, performances, paintings on display, handmade creations, and people sharing pieces of themselves through their art. It really felt like a celebration of individuality and community at the same time.
I learned so many things during those ten days, yet almost none of them were things that could be taught in schools or universities. I learned them through the people around me, through their creativity, their demeanor, their thoughts, and their feelings. More than anything, this experience made me feel more connected to myself. I am forever grateful to all of the beautiful and intelligent souls I shared this small, yet incredibly significant journey with. I now feel more open to the unknown, because it often holds the most valuable moments.”
Giannis:
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a very interesting youth exchange in Alezio, Italy, through the Erasmus+ programme.
The countries participating in the project were Greece, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania. The title of the project was “Equal Voices”, and its main goal was to raise awareness about stereotypes, inequalities and social barriers that still exist in our societies. Through role-playing activities, discussions and creative workshops, we explored how these issues affect our everyday lives and how we can help promote inclusion and equality instead.
One of the most interesting activities was a theatrical performance based on allegories about social barriers and the way our decisions are often influenced by society and others.The participants were what truly made the experience special. Everyone was very open-minded and inclusive, and we managed to create meaningful connections despite coming from different cultural backgrounds!! The intercultural nights were among the best parts of the exchange, as each country presented its traditions, food and music. Coincidentally, our intercultural night took place during the Greek Easter weekend, which gave us the chance to share traditional Greek dishes, dances and customs with the other participants
One thing that really surprised me was discovering how many famous Balkan songs are essentially the same melodies with different lyrics in each country.
The organisers created a safe and supportive environment where everyone felt comfortable expressing themselves. Through teamwork activities and non-formal learning methods, we also improved our communication, cooperation and intercultural skills.
Apart from the educational activities, we also had the chance to explore the beautiful Italian countryside, which was absolutely idyllic. During one of the last days, we visited the beach in Gallipoli, where we relaxed, took a swim ,drank coffee and enjoyed Italian appetizers together.
We had a really great time and created memories for life!! All these experiences shape you in one way or another, and the opportunities that the EU offers young people are definitely not to be missed. It is a chance to travel, meet extraordinary people, experience different cultures & cuisines and better understand the values that connect Europe together.
Rea:
Participating in the Erasmus program Equal Voices was a truly unique and eye-opening experience. I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity by the Greek Youth Mobility organization.
Alezio was beautiful and so were the other places that we had the opportunity to visit, but no one could have prepared me for the amazing friendships that I would be able to develop in only 10 days. Through in-depth conversations about our experiences and values and various team building exercises we all managed to understand and help each other. I was amazed by how much I was able to learn, not only about my teammates but about myself as well. the programs’ culture nights were also a great way for us to experience different cultures and customs firsthand.
It was an experience that I will never forget, and I am truly grateful to have been a part of it.
Thank you again for the opportunity!
Nikolaos:
My participation in the “Equal Voices” program in Italy, on the topic of gender equality, was an experience that I will never forget. For a week, I was together with people from different countries and cultures with the common goal of breaking down gender stereotypes.
Through experiential workshops and open discussions, we analyzed the inequalities that we face every day at work and in society. Most importantly, however, were the discussions we had there and the exchange of personal experiences, which proved to us that the fight for equality concerns us all, regardless of our gender or origin. I return full of inspiration, new friendships and more determination to defend human rights. This program showed me that together we can create a real change in our community.
Greek Youth Mobility 
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