When a friend, at the beginning of 2022, asked if I would like to go to the Netherlands for a short training course, I had never heard of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) before. 

Nor was I very familiar with Erasmus+ projects. The vague description “about two weeks, sometime in August, regarding lgbtqia+ issues and activism, through the sending organisation Brunnen” however, was enough for me to pack my bags and go. A couple of months later, I was on a flight to my first Erasmus+ youth experimental learning programme and the beginning of my journey with the ESC. Somewhat confused, but with no turning back.

The Erasmus+ programme YOUth ACTivist Camp, coorganised by the latvian organisation Active Rainbow and the Olde Vechte Foundation in the Netherlands, would become my first introduction to Eurodesk and the European Solidarity Corps. Together with young people from other European countries I got to develop skills and understanding of lgbtqia+ related activism through practice and exchange of experiences. I got to know several people I am still in touch with today, including two from my own sending organisation who at the time were thinking about starting an ESC solidarity project. This would become STEP: Support through Expression and Participation, a mental health focused project.

I was not involved in STEP from the start, but since you need at least five people to implement a solidarity project I was asked if I wanted to join and make the project a reality. Of course I did! The project reached over approximately 6 months and included a 3-day camp, smaller activities, and a website. We went rock climbing, ice skating and tracking while discussing stress and anxiety, and how social issues such as oppression or climate change might impact mental health. We also gathered contact information for helplines and published blog posts. My role became managing the Swedish communication and translations, as well as helping with the planning and coordination of a handful activities.

Despite now having participated in both an Erasmus+ programme and a solidarity project, it was still unclear to me which was which. In autumn 2024, however, I gained more clarity through the participation in a volunteer meeting organised by the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (MUCF). Every year the MUCF gathers Swedish ESC volunteers who have recently returned from volunteering in Europe, to exchange experiences, create connections, and learn about other international opportunities. Thanks to my participation in STEP, my name had ended up on the list of participants, and I was able to attend even though I (so far) have never been a volunteer. During two inspiring days, I therefore got to listen to others’ ESC experiences, engage in team-building exercises, and learn more about Eurodesk, as well as Europeers and MUCF’s young ambassadors.

Today (as a brand new young ambassador!), I still have a lot to learn, but I am already so much richer in experiences, tools and friendships. The projects I participated in gave me so much while they were still ongoing, but they keep on giving even now they are done. I landed an internship in Slovenia thanks to contacts made during the Erasmus+ programme, and there too my journey with the Solidarity Corps continued, through close contact with ESC volunteers and new learning opportunities through different EU programmes. So it continues, the journey, both individually and with the Solidarity Corps, and that is what makes it all so exciting!

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

It all started in 2019 in Madrid, where I was born and raised. I had just finished the first part of my degree in electrical engineering when I heard about the opportunity to participate in a youth exchange in Dublin, Ireland.
I immediately felt this was something for me. I wanted to discover international experiences where I could foster my creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, while strengthening the values I believe in: solidarity, access to knowledge, empathy, and cooperation. So I applied, and got my place.

The youth exchange in Dublin opened my eyes to what youth mobility truly means. Meeting young people from all over Europe, sharing our stories, dreams, and perspectives, it was very transformative. I realized that these programs aren't just about traveling, but about building bridges between cultures and creating a shared European identity.

That experience inspired me so much that after some time, in 2022, I took the step to co-organize a youth exchange in Spain myself. Going from participant to organizer was an incredible learning process. I wanted to create the same sense of community and belonging that I had experienced the year before. My goal was to awaken a European identity in the participants and encourage them to become active citizens, while providing them with access to non-formal education in an international environment.
But my biggest journey was still waiting. Later in 2023, I decided to apply for Erasmus+ mobility to study the second half of my master's at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.

Moving to a completely new country for my studies was challenging, but also the most rewarding thing I've ever done. In Sweden, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in other people's personal stories and experiences. I got to know, lived together with, and enjoyed other cultures, while feeling at home at the same time. It was magical to realize that Europe truly can feel like a common home, no matter where you are.

During my time in Sweden, I realized that I wanted to share these experiences with even more young people. As an ambassador, I want to make Erasmus+ and other youth programs more known and accessible to all young people who dream of international experiences.

All these experiences have shaped my vision for the future. I want to continue developing both personally and professionally in international contexts, work with people from different backgrounds, and above all: I want to inspire other young people to grow in the same way I have. My goal is to contribute to a more aware and democratic young society in Europe.

My journey from participant in Ireland, to organizer in Spain, to Erasmus student in Sweden, and now ambassador has taught me that youth mobility is so much more than travel and experiences. It's about building a better future together, about daring to challenge yourself, and about realizing that we as young Europeans have a unique opportunity to shape the Europe we want to see!
So yes, if you're considering participating in a youth exchange or applying for any Erasmus+ opportunity, do it! It will change your life in ways you could never imagine. I look forward to meeting you at some event and hearing your story!
 

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

DiscoverEU Inclusion Action is a project where we explore and visit different European countries. This adventure took place in April 2024. Our journey began with a trip to Austria, followed by Germany, then France, and after that Spain, where we stayed for 4 days. Finally, we traveled to Italy. The whole trip was done by train (and a ferry) which was a first-time experience for us teenagers.
When we were in Narbonne, France, we had a chaotic afternoon as we barely caught the train  we almost missed it!
In Spain, we stayed in a mobile home. On the first day we arrived, we went grocery shopping, and in the mobile home we prepared most of our meals ourselves. We visited the Sagrada Familia, which was under construction at the time, and we also saw Park Güell. Since our backpacks weighed at least 15 kg and we had to walk a lot, we were exhausted by the end of each day. Klara and Nejc were brave enough to go swimming in the sea in April. (Brrr, I’m getting cold just thinking about it.)
I fell in love with a cat that often came to visit us. Nejc and me tried speaking Spanish, while the others focused on using English, planning our days, and looking up information.
After dinner, we had daily evaluations, sharing feedbacks on what we liked, what else we would’ve liked to see, how much time we needed, etc.
On the fifth day, we traveled to Italy on a 24-hour ferry. We visited Rome, Venice, and Vatican City (wait, a country within a country?!). In Rome by the Trevi Fountain, we had the most expensive ice cream of our lives.
Since we still had enough money left, we went out for dinner on our last evening. After dinner, we went to the apartment, packed, and went to bed. The next morning, we headed to Trieste, where we visited a pastry shop, and then Petra brought us T-shirts which everyone travelling signed. From there we went back home to Kamnik. 
We had the best time, we were laughing a lot, and we would love to go again if we get the opportunity.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

When I applied for my first Erasmus+ project that was organised by my highschool "Voievodul Mircea" in Târgoviște, I was curious, but also a bit unsure. I didn’t really know what to expect since I didn’t know anyone who could tell me how it will be. But what I discovered was much more than just a trip. It was an experience that helped me grow as a person, develop new skills, and friendships.

During the mobility in Croatia, I learned how to work in a team with people my age from other countries, how to communicate better, even when we didn’t speak the same language perfectly. I improved my English skills without even realizing it, and I became more confident in expressing my ideas.

I discovered what adaptability truly means, being able to navigate in a new environment, with different rules and customs. I learned to be open to diversity, to listen, to understand and to respect other perspectives.

Some of the most valuable skills I gained? Initiative, empathy, and critical thinking. Erasmus+ is not just about what you learn in the classroom, it’s about what you learn about yourself and others, outside of it.

I would recommend this opportunity to any young person. It’s an experience that enriches you professionally, but transforms you personally. And what you gain, confidence, international friendships, a European mindset, stays with you forever. 

Looking back to my past, I realized how much these experiences changed me, in a really good way, because if I hadn’t applied, I would still be the quiet kid of the class scared of the unknown.
 

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

As a student of Theoretical Highschool „Petru Cercel”, Târgoviște, Romania, taking part in the Erasmus+ project in Girona, Spain, was an unforgettable experience that combined learning, teamwork, and cultural discovery. Our main focus was an educational project about World War II, which we developed together with Spanish students. Every day, we explored historical events, analyzed their causes and consequences, and discussed how history is taught and understood in different European countries.

The project challenged me to think critically and make connections between facts or values. I learned how to work with different sources and how to turn historical knowledge into something engaging and useful. These skills (research, communication, creative thinking) are things I’ll carry with me far beyond this project.

Our final task was to create educational posters summarizing key aspects of World War II. These materials were later used by the Spanish students to prepare for their upcoming test. It was incredibly fulfilling to see our collaborative work become a real learning tool. 

Through this process, I understood how education can cross borders and how much we can learn from each other when we combine our strengths.

Beyond the classroom, we also had a little time to discover the beautiful medieval city of Girona. Walking through its narrow streets, ancient walls, and colorful houses felt like stepping back in time. That was a perfect reminder that history is not only something we study, but something we live and experience.

Erasmus+ taught me more than just historical facts. It taught me about cooperation, empathy, and the power of shared learning. It showed me that education can be a bridge between people, and that growth often begins when you step out of your comfort zone.

For me, Erasmus+ was not just a project - it was an entire journey of knowledge that truly brought Europe to life.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Hi, I’m Angelica, and I’d love to share a story with you — one inspired by the values of listening and mental health: the inspiring and eye-opening training course MINDYI, held in the enchanting town of Samobor, Croatia, from September 28 to October 4, 2025, as part of the Erasmus+ program.

The main focus of this training course was raising awareness about mental wellbeing among young people, and exploring how youth information centers and helping professions can work together to build a supportive network for young people. We came from many different countries, each with our own background and story. But the best part was that everyone had a role, a chance to contribute — all united by the same goal: to promote and protect young people’s mental wellbeing, to see them, value them, and welcome their emotions.

Surrounded by woods, flower-decorated bridges, and crystal-clear rivers, what moved me the most was the atmosphere of openness, acceptance, and non-judgment that all the organizations managed to create. Each of us had a voice, felt important, and truly capable of inspiring positive change.

Of course, there were plenty of laughs too! In the evenings we played games, shared stories, and got to know each other better — learning so much from our different experiences.

When I came back home, I felt full — full of joy, gratitude, and inspiration. 

Because that’s what these experiences give you: they fill you up and make you feel alive and inspired.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Pirms gada devos brīvprātīgā darba projektā uz Grieķiju, kur pavadīju gadu. Pieteikties projektam bija diezgan spontāns lēmums, bet lielākais motivators bija mans iekšējais stāvoklis un vēlme mazliet atvilkt elpu no savas trakās dzīves. Kaut gan Latvijā man bija labs darbs un teorētiski viss bija ok, es jutos nelaimīga pat darot to, kas man patīk. Sāku pieteikties dažādām papildu aktivitātēm un iespējām, jutos pazaudējusi savas prioritātes, un tad ieraudzīju šo iespēju. Mani sajūsmināja, ka projekts notiek Grieķijā un ka jādarbojas ar sociālo tīklu satura veidošanu, kas man ir interesanti. Nolēmu joka pēc pieteikties, jo jutu, ka vajag kādas lielākas pārmaiņas dzīvē. Tas bija viens veids, kā redzēju, ka varu reāli ieviest ko mainīgu. Pēc pieteikuma aizpildīšanas jau pēc divām dienām mani aicināja uz interviju, es iesniedzu atlūgumu darbā un jau pēc mēneša biju Grieķijā.

Mani galvenie uzdevumi jaunatnes organizācijā, kurā veicu brīvprātīgo darbu, bija fotografēšana, video veidošana un montāža, satura veidošana organizācijas sociālajiem tīkliem — Instagram un TikTok — kā arī grafiskais dizains vizuālajiem materiāliem un viņu mājaslapai. Tas kopumā aizņēma diezgan daudz laika. Daudz iemūžināju dažādas aktivitātes un projektus, ko man ļoti patika darīt.

Projektā biju brīvprātīgā — strādāju noteiktas stundas dienā, bet pārējo laiku veltīju sev un atpūtai, lai saprastu, kas notiek manī iekšā. Biju tajā punktā, kad vairs nezināju, kas man patīk un ko iesākt ar dzīvi, tāpēc sāku risināt šo jautājumu. Latvijā man tam īsti nebija laika domāt — bija citas prioritātes un daudz citu notikumu. Tādējādi bija vērtīgi, ka izdevās vairāk laika veltīt sev.

Projekts notika mazā ciematiņā, kur nekas daudz nenotiek, tādēļ no vienas puses bija daudz iespēju pabūt ar sevi, bet, no otras puses, esmu ļoti sociāls cilvēks, tāpēc pirmie trīs mēneši projektā bija ļoti grūti. Esmu pieradusi piedzīvot kultūru, strādāt ar pasākumiem un dažādām sociālām aktivitātēm, tādēļ kultūras notikumu un socializēšanās iespēju trūkums bija ļoti jūtams. Mana istabas biedrene bija no Spānijas un ar diezgan atšķirīgu raksturu, tāpēc mācījāmies sadzīvot. Tas bija arī viens no lielākajiem izaicinājumiem — atrast kopīgu valodu ar cilvēkiem, kas tev fiziski atrodas vistuvāk konkrētā laika posmā, un ar kuriem nevari vienkārši izvēlēties, vai pavadīt laiku kopā vai nē. Tā man izdevās labāk iepazīt sevi, savas vajadzības un robežas, risināt problēmas un vairāk komunicēt ar apkārtējiem. Palīdzēja tas, ka varēju atļauties izmantot profesionālu atbalstu savu iekšējo sajūtu risināšanai.

Vēl grūti bija pierast pie karstuma — naktīs ap +30 °C un dienā ap +40 °C; trīs mēnešus vasarā vispār neredzot lietusgāzes, tas bija smagi arī jūtās. Tādā temperatūrā bija grūti funkcionēt un negribējās neko darīt.

Kopumā gan apstiprināju sevī pārliecību par to, ka man padodas darbs ar jauniešiem, jo organizācija, ar kuru sadarbojos, īsteno daudz starptautisku projektu, un man bija iespējas ne tikai fotografēt un filmēt, bet arī palīdzēt organizatoriski. Vēl, protams, attīstīju un nostiprināju savas audiovizuālā satura veidošanas prasmes.

Dzīvojot ārzemēs, bieži nākas pārkāpt pāri sev un saviem principiem, jo atbraucot jārada komūna jeb cilvēku loks apkārt no jauna. Daudz jārunā ar cilvēkiem, lai vienkārši tiktu galā ar ikdienas lietām, saprastu notiekošo, orientētos vai atrastu internetu. Dzīve ārpus Latvijas iemāca izdzīvošanas prasmes — to, kā būt pašam kaut kur citur, iedod realitātes sajūtu un māca par efektīvu budžeta pārvaldību.

Šajā laikā sapratu, ka vēlos strādāt attālināti vai strādāt tādu darbu, kur varu būt ofisā pēc savas izvēles un kur man ir pārvietošanās brīvība. Man tiešām patīk būt kustībā.

Pabiju gan Atēnās, gan citās pilsētās, Meteora, Larisa, Volosa, arī mazākos ciematos un pat pavisam nekurienes vidū. Vienreiz pie manis atbrauca ciemos draudzenes no Latvijas, un tad mēs apceļojām daudz Grieķijas puses un iekūlāmies daudzos piedzīvojumos.

Citiem jauniešiem es ieteiktu varbūt nedarīt lietas tik spontāni kā es un rūpīgāk pārdomāt savas izvēles. Vēl ļoti svarīgi ir atrast labu organizāciju, kuras mērķi un vērtības sakrīt ar tavējiem — izvērtēt organizāciju un izpētīt pieejamās iespējas, lai pārliecinātos, ka piesakies projektam, kur tev tiešām interesē tēma un aktivitātes. Iesaku izpētīt dažādu organizāciju sociālos tīklus, pārrunāt organizācijas darbību ar nosūtošo organizāciju, apjautāties draugiem vai kolēģiem un kārtīgi izpētīt projektu, kur vēlies doties. Tas ir svarīgi, lai tu varētu arī izbaudīt laiku projektā.

Par brīvprātīgā darba iespējām Eiropas Solidaritātes korpusā lasi šeit.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

In November 2023 we took part in an Erasmus+ training course in Oulu, Finland, organized through PINA Koper. I travelled together with a youth worker from the Public Institute Ptuj, and we went through the entire experience together. During the intensive workshops, we developed our own project and learned how to implement it independently.

We followed a structured schedule that included icebreakers, team-building activities, and discussions about youth work, as well as step-by-step guidance on project implementation. We also visited the local community, including a youth centre, where we heard personal stories from people who had found help and support there.

Afterwards, we explored how to integrate these new perspectives into our project, engaging in both testing and reflection on our work.

Throughout the week, despite the demanding schedule, we connected with one another, made new friends, experienced Finnish culture, and truly enjoyed our time together.

Opportunities like this are an incredible way to broaden your horizons, gain fresh perspectives on various topics, find motivation for future work, and step out of your comfort zone. They remind us that youth work is not just about planning or delivering activities—it's about creating meaningful change, starting with ourselves.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Otkako sam prvi put čula za Erasmus+, znala sam da je to nešto što moram napraviti. Moje studijsko područje nije bilo lako uskladiti u inozemstvu jer je dosta interdisciplinarno, ali nisam dopustila da me to zaustavi. Više od svega željela sam iskustvo Erasmusa. I imala sam ga na Sveučilištu Vistula.

Prije odlaska bila sam anksiozna. Erasmus+ mi je dao nešto neprocjenjivo: prostor da dišem. Odjednom sam se našla u gradu stranaca gdje me nitko nije poznavao. Mogla sam isprobati nove stvari, pogriješiti, bez straha od osuđivanja. Toliko sam se bojala da mi neće priznati kolegije po povratku da sam našla dio sebe kojemu bi taj scenario bio skroz okej.

Posebno mi se svidio noćni život Varšave: energija, glazba i druženja s ljudima iz cijelog svijeta. Stipendija je pokrila troškove, a ostalo mi je dovoljno da posljednja dva tjedna putujem Poljskom i otkrijem Poznan, Gdanjsk i druga mjesta.

Gotovo dvije godine kasnije vidim koliko sam napredovala. U Zadru sam se mučila s postavljanjem granica, a nakon Varšave više se nisam bojala reći „ne“. Naučila sam da štititi svoj mir nije sebično – to je znak snage.

Erasmus mi je donio prijateljstva diljem Europe i šire te dan danas živim svoj Erasmus+ kad imamo neki reunion ili kad me posjeti neki prijatelj s Erasmusa kod kuće.

Ako se pitaš trebaš li otići na Erasmus+– idi. Ne čekaj da se osjećaš spremno, jer spremnost nije osjećaj nego odluka. A možda će baš ta odluka biti najbolja u tvom životu.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

This summer, I spent a week in the beautiful countryside of Austria near Lake Attersee through an Erasmus+ youth exchange. During this week, I made some long-lasting memories and gained amazing experiences. In a place surrounded by breath-taking mountains, it was easy to forget about everyday worries. I travelled to Attersee together with the rest of the Slovak team, and I immediately knew we would get along very well. From the very first day, we bonded over our shared love for sports and adventure. The camp was filled with exciting activities like canyoning, kayaking, and team-building games, which not only challenged us physically but also helped us develop teamwork and communication skills. Meeting young people from different countries allowed me to experience new cultures and perspectives, making this week really unforgettable.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026