Green Steps: Empowering Youth Workers for a Sustainable Future, Greece 2026

From the 27th of June till the 4th of July, our volunteers alongside young people from the Netherlands, Spain, Romania and Poland took part in an International Training Course program in Kastoria, Greece.

The project aim was to empower youth workers to become environmental ambassadors within their communities.

In the following lines, you can explore the experiences that our volunteers gained through their participation.

Eva:

Participating in this activity was a truly unique and amazing experience for me!

I gained new knowledge and practical skills, met inspiring people from different countries, and learned how cooperation, teamwork, and respect can overcome cultural differences. During the project, I also improved my communication skills, became more open to new ideas, and gained more confidence in myself and in working with others. The activities encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and express my opinions more freely. This experience motivated me to stay active in future Erasmus+ projects, continue learning, and share what I learned with other young people. I will carry these valuable lessons and memories with me in both my personal and professional life!

Thank you very much for this unforgettable experience!

Maria:

With GYM we spent a wonderful week in Kastoria and through workshops, outdoor activities, and discussions with fellow participants from different countries, we exchanged ideas and learned about environmental challenges and solutions at both local and European levels. We also engaged in activities that promoted respect for nature and encouraged active citizenship in environmental protection.

This experience enhanced my awareness of environmental issues, strengthened my intercultural communication skills, and motivated me to contribute more actively to sustainable development in my community. I am grateful for the opportunity provided by Erasmus+ and look forward to sharing the knowledge and experiences gained with others.

(A)I Sea You, Poland 2026

From the 4th till the 12th of August, our volunteers alongside young people from Poland, Croatia, Armenia and Ukraine took part in an International Youth Exhange program in Jastrzębia Góra, Poland.

The project aim was to empower young people to critically understand how Artificial Intelligence influences democracy, access to information, and public opinion.

In the following lines, you can explore the experiences that our volunteers gained through their participation.

Alexandros:

I participated in the project (A)I SEA YOU 4-12 /08/2026 in Poland. During this youth exchange we discussed with people from Greece, Armenia, Croatia, Ukraine and Poland about AI and democracy through interactive and interesting workshops that bonded the whole team . We learned many new skills, knowledge and also created strong friendships.

Effy:

Taking part in the “(A)I Sea You” youth exchange in Jastrzębia Góra, Poland, was a truly valuable and unforgettable experience. I had the opportunity to meet people from different countries, learn about their cultures and share ideas. We discussed important topics such as artificial intelligence, democracy, misinformation, and digital skills, while learning from each other’s experiences. Overall, it was an amazing opportunity to grow, become more open-minded, and create unforgettable memories.

Alexandros K:

This project gave me the opportunity to learn about AI and how affects and shapes democracy and democratic values. Through active workshops and presentations we had the chance to work together and share our thoughts and experiences. Even though we were people from 5 different countries, we ended up being like a family, as we share more common things than we thought. It was an unforgettable experience and I hope to meet the participants again in the near future!

Katerina:

It was such a pleasure spending a whole week in Jastrzębia Góra as part of the youth exchange “AI Sea You”!
Our days were packed with new friendships, getting to know each other, meaningful conversations about democracy, creative AI projects, cultural evenings, lots of laughs, and so many unforgettable moments.
But I think the highlight of the whole exchange was definitely the Greek Night 🇬🇷. At some point, everyone started dancing our traditional dances with us — and that’s when we knew our mission was accomplished!

Christina:

My participation in the “Ai see you” project in Jastrzebia Gora, Poland, was a wonderful experience that I’ll remember for years to come. I met people from different cultures, learned new things, and I’ll definitely stay in touch with some of them. Plus, AI has become a permanent part of our lives, so this exchange was a chance for me to explore the topic from a more multifaceted perspective!

Matina:

My trip to Poland was a great experience. We spent a lot of time learning about how Artificial Intelligence affects our democracy. We discussed how technology can change how people vote, talk, and get information. It was very interesting for me to see how the problems with AI connect directly to what I’m studying at university, like math and how we model voting systems. I also made really good friends in a short time and learned about other cultures. I hope to use these new ideas in my life.

Athina:

My Erasmus+ experience in Poland was really special. For about a week, I stayed in Jastrzębia Góra together with young people from Poland, Croatia, Armenia and Ukraine, taking part in a programme focused on Artificial Intelligence and democracy 

During the programme, we took part in different activities, games, presentations and discussions, where we learned more about AI and how it is starting to affect our everyday lives. One of my favourite parts of the programme was the intercultural nights, where each country had the chance to present its culture, traditions and food. It was a really nice way to learn more about each other’s countries and discover things we probably would not have come across otherwise. 

We also had the chance to learn more about Polish history during our day trip to Hel, where we visited a museum dedicated to World War II. It was quite an intense experience, but also a very interesting one and a good opportunity to see a different side of the place we were staying in 

In the end, what I will remember most from these days is not only what we learned about AI, but the whole experience of being part of an international programme like this for the first time. From the intercultural nights to the discussions and activities, every day brought something different. It was a nice break from my everyday life, filled with new experiences, ideas and moments that I probably would not have had the chance to experience if I had not taken part in this Erasmus+ programme

Athina T:

This August, I had the opportunity to take part in the AI SEA YOU Youth Exchange in Poland, together with other young people from Poland, Ukraine, Armenia, Croatia and Greece. During the project, we explored Artificial Intelligence from many different perspectives.

Even though at first I was a little skeptical about our main topic, what I particularly enjoyed about the project was that we did not approach AI simply as a new and exciting technology. Instead, our workshops encouraged us to question it, exchange different perspectives and think about its increasing presence in our everyday lives. One of my favorite activities asked a simple question: What do humans do better, and what does AI do better? It was so interesting hearing the different opinions within the group, identifying the strengths of both and discussing how the two could work together and how AI could support people rather than simply replace them.

Our conversations also went beyond how we personally use AI. We explored the connection between AI and democracy and we discussed how technology is already influencing our communities. Questions about AI therefore also became questions about privacy, human rights and participation. One idea particularly stayed with me: the future of AI is not only a technological issue, but more likely a social and political one. If AI is going to shape our society, we should also have a voice in deciding how we want to use it.

We also had the opportunity to discover the Metaverse Learning Hub, a European project that combines digital learning with gamification, immersive experiences and AI-based activities. I found it impressive to see how these technologies can be used in a creative and interactive way for education and youth work and I was particularly glad to discover this side of technology.

Of course, the exchange was about much more than workshops. Some of my favourite memories came from everything happening in between: intercultural nights, dancing, rumors, conversations and all the small moments that turn a group of strangers into friends. As part of the Instagram team, I also had the opportunity to document our days and turn not only our workshops, but also many of these moments into content that we shared with others. What made this Youth Exchange even more special, though, were my fellow Greeks, whom I adored from the very first moment and who helped me make the most of the whole experience.

I am very grateful for this experience and for all the people I got to share it with. I would like to thank our hosting organization for creating a space where we could question, discuss and exchange ideas about the technological future we want to create, and Greek Youth Mobility for giving me the opportunity to be part of it. Most of all, this experience reminded me of what I enjoy most about Youth Exchanges: meeting people with different backgrounds and ideas, learning from each other and having a really great time together.

Pathways to Inclusion: Empowering Youth Workers for Diverse Communities, Greece 2026

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!