With a deep love for French culture and language—nurtured during my studies in France—and my roots in Limassol, I joined the Running-Fluent Initiative to blend my passions for cultural exchange and sustainability. With support from European Solidarity Corps, in our project ‘‘innovative creation and development of a green and health community’’ I conducted research on simple but mostly ignored green practices and implemented them in impactful local actions we were undertaking, like strategic co-creation of events and strategic inclusion.

From creating multilingual content to leading inclusive workshops, I experienced how embracing diversity fosters creativity and drives meaningful solutions.

This journey solidified my belief in the transformative power of collaboration to shape a sustainable and inclusive future for all.

Updated on Monday, 13/01/2025

From a young age, I’ve been passionate about telling stories that inspire and create impact. This passion evolved into a drive to craft meaningful change when I joined the Running-Fluent Initiative. Here, I found the perfect platform to amplify underrepresented voices (asylum seekers, refugees, those with physical and mental disabilities etc), promote environmental awareness, and contribute to building stronger communities.

With support from the European Solidarity Corps in our project ‘‘innovative creation and development of a green and health community’’ I co-managed creative workshops that blended Greek language lessons to migrants with action, spearheaded impactful campaigns, and mobilized volunteers to transform Limassol into a greener, more inclusive, and vibrant city. I also worked closely with local organisations, companies and community groups, fostering collaboration and encouraging individuals of all ages to take part in shaping a sustainable future.

This journey has been a powerful reminder that even the smallest ideas, when nurtured with teamwork and a shared vision, can grow into movements that spark lasting change.

Updated on Monday, 13/01/2025

My journey began in Uganda and led me to Cyprus for studies at Cyprus University of Technology, where I founded the Running-Fluent Initiative, to turn challenges as an immigrant from the ‘third world country’ into opportunities for positive impact and community empowerment.

Through funding and support from the EU, the Council of Europe, and the European Climate Pact, the initiative planted hundreds of trees, organized hundreds of multicultural & intercultural activities, and united communities strategically through inclusive dialogue here in Cyprus.

With the European Solidarity Corps, I merged my passion for environmental sustainability with intercultural leadership in a project ‘‘innovative creation and development of a green and health community’’. Every marathon I run, every action i take, and every project I manage reflects my commitment to inspire sustainable and impactful change uniquely.

I have received numerous accolades and recognitions at both a local and national level here in Cyprus. Something I’m really proud of an immigrant who aspires for true inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected communities in these moments Cyprus and entire Europe face immigration pressure with all the related negativities (Racism, xenophobia, racial based violence and assaults etc).

Updated on Monday, 13/01/2025

Participating in the "Hack for Skills" initiative was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Joining forces with 40 young minds from Cyprus and Malta, we set out to create innovative solutions that could shape professional skills for the future.

Our project, "SkillZard," was the result of countless hours of brainstorming, collaboration, and determination. Winning first place was an incredible achievement, but it wasn’t the prize that made this journey unforgettable.

The true highlight was the people I met along the way. We started as strangers but quickly became friends, sharing ideas, laughter, and dreams. The trip to Malta was another magical chapter of this story, filled with exploration, cultural exchange, and unforgettable moments.

Looking back, I realize that the most valuable skills I gained weren’t just professional—they were personal. Teamwork, resilience, and the joy of connecting with inspiring individuals will stay with me forever. This experience was more than a competition—it was a journey of growth and celebration.

"SkillZard" may have won the competition, but it was the friendships and memories we created that made us all winners.

*The "Hack for Skills" was an initiative under Erasmus+ (TCA) as part of the European Year of Skills. It was organized by the National Agencies and other stakeholders from Cyprus and Malta, promoting skill development and innovation.
 

Updated on Monday, 13/01/2025

What motivated/inspired you to get involved in the local elections in your county?

Well, I suppose my interest in politics started when I was about 15 or 16 years and since then politics has been one of my main interests. Throughout the years I thought of running to be a public representative, but I always put it down to being a pipe dream - something I would’ve liked to have done, but never pursued. I believed I had the right intentions and qualities to represent my community, that I had skills that were transferable to being a public representative and could contribute to positive change within local government but just because I think that of myself didn't mean others did. So, when I was approached, and it was suggested to me to run I decided to bite the bullet and say yes. It reaffirmed what I believed about myself in that instance. While that was the more personal motivation aspect, the external motivation for me was wanting more youth presentation in politics. There are two cohorts of young people who I believe deserve a louder voice in the public arena. One, young people under 18 years, who do not yet have a voice in terms of ability to vote and the other young people 18-29 years who are currently facing many challenges that many in positions of power haven’t faced when they were that age, because times were different when they were younger. There wasn’t a housing or student accommodation crisis, or increased  costs associated with higher education. Because the majority of public representatives are that bit older the experiences of young people are not adequately represented or considered.

What did it mean to be a candidate?

To me being a candidate meant putting myself forward to my community and asking for their confidence and with that the chance to represent them and bring a fresh and new perspective to the council. It meant asking for the confidence of voters in my ability to deliver for them and act in their best interests. It also meant accepting the responsibility and commitment of working on their behalf for the duration of the term in office if elected. As well as fully realizing how much of an immense privilege that opportunity would be if I was successful. 

What did you have to do as a candidate?

In the first instance I had to be officially selected as a candidate by the local party members at something that is called a selection convention, this is where members vote for who they wish to put forward as a candidate(s) and then forms are filled out by the candidate and pictures are taken. Portraits for leaflets and election posters must be taken, leaflet content like a short bio and priorities need to be written. A team needs to be assembled that will help with canvassing, putting posters up and also take down after the elections. Canvassing needs to be planned and prioritising of areas to canvas. I had a short enough campaign of 5 weeks from when I was selected to polling day and while 5 weeks sounds like a long time, in election time it flies by. Canvassing is the main thing that occupied any free time I had outside of work. If I wasn't at work I would be somewhere in the LEA (local electoral area) knocking on doors and engaging with people. Canvassing for me was the most daunting thing about running but once I got used to it i loved it. Social media of course is part of the equation for getting yourself out there and seen but as well as that traditional media plays as much as an important role as social media. Some journalists may reach out for interviews or press releases around your key issues and priorities are issued in the media as well. 

What did you learn from running as a candidate

I learned a lot as a candidate, I gained a better understanding of my community's needs and the importance of connecting with people and truly listening to their concerns and issues. Some issues are easily addressed without needing to hold office, it’s just about making people aware of the support and options available to them and assisting them through the process. I gained a level of fulfilment throughout the process. I really enjoyed meeting and talking with people, understanding where they are at and what's important to people - being able to help where I could and seeing what it meant to people.

Resilience was definitely another thing I gained during the experience particularly canvassing, you're never too sure what kind of reception you’ll receive when someone opens the door, most people are pleasant or more than pleasant regardless of if they have any intention of voting for you but there is a small minority of people who unpleasant or rude to deal with and being able to hold yourself in those situations is something you have to be comfortable and confident doing.

What advice would you give to others (including young people in Europe) and is it worth getting involved with elections in this way?

I would say if you’re looking to get involved in politics and elections for the first time and are adamant about being a candidate I would say go for it! It's a great experience and you learn a lot. It is something that requires a lot of time and energy. I would suggest contacting someone who has run successfully or unsuccessfully and have a conversation and ask questions of what is expected of you, what should you expect and get a better understanding of the process. If you're not interested in being a candidate or running in any election there are plenty of other ways to get involved in elections from canvassing, leaflet drops, putting up posters, doing social media, tallying at the count centre, etc. I would definitely encourage any young person to get involved in elections this way, it is an enjoyable experience, and you learn so much. Elections are such an exciting and important part of democracy and I think it's more than worthwhile getting involved and seeing what goes into it behind the scenes

What did you gain from being a candidate and do you have any plans to be a candidate in future?

I gained a lot, from personal growth and new skills, developing current skills to meeting new people and expanding my network. I gained friends and relationships I wouldn't have otherwise. I have people I consider mentors who I continue to learn from well after the election is finished. I mentioned it earlier but gaining that understanding of the true needs of the community was invaluable. 

Do you think it is easy for young people to get involved in politics / what are the barriers for young people getting involved in politics and any suggestions on how to overcome them?

In Ireland I don’t think it is easy for young people to get involved in politics, I don't mean that in a sense that there are barriers there for young people that aren't there for others when joining a political party or trying to run in elections, but in the sense that I don’t think we have a good enough political education for young people that encourages active participation in society in this way. 

A lot of young people do not have a good working understanding of how governments function at a local, national and particularly European level. I think more needs to be done in that area. Only when people have an understanding they can see where they can fit. I think for those who have the understanding of politics and how it functions I would say the main barrier for those wanting to run as candidates could be finances - election campaigns can be expensive and it would be worth seeing if you could fundraise or if the party could cover the expenses of posters and/or leaflets.

Regan ran as a candidate in the local elections in Co. Galway, her story was nominated by Youth Work Ireland Galway

Updated on Tuesday, 31/12/2024

I first found out about the European Solidarity Corps in a youth center back home. There I met volunteers from different countries and I got excited about the possibility of spending time abroad as a volunteer. After some time I decided to do it and later I found my opportunity to go to Finland for 9 weeks.
I was really excited but also a little scared. I did not know what to expect and that made me nervous, but when I came there that fear went away instantly. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and I knew that I came to the right place.

In the time that I spent there, a lot was going on. I met a lot of new wonderful people, saw some of the country, traveled to other countries nearby and learned a lot of new things. Time went by very fast and when I got back home it almost felt like no time had passed at all.

I am very glad that I had this experience. It was something that I was very curious about and I am happy that I did it. I got a new perspective on my life by getting a little distance and changing my routine. I also got a better understanding of what I want to do and what I want my life to look like.

I would recommend this experience to everyone who is even a little bit tempted to do something like this. It really is a wonderful experience to have. 
 

Updated on Tuesday, 14/01/2025

I participated in a DiscoverEU Inclusion Action Project, and all I can say is, "Do it without a second thought." It's an amazing and creative initiative that lets us "new adults" take control of our lives and travel across Europe affordably and ecologically.

My friends and I chose to explore Scandinavia—it was an unforgettable experience! We traveled around Denmark, Sweden, and Norway using eco-friendly transportation, like trains, which gave us the chance to soak in the beautiful countryside. Honestly, when else will you get to visit three countries in just six days?

This program helped us manage our budget, plan our trip around everyone's needs, discover hidden gems in each country, and, of course, meet awesome people and make lifelong friends.

My favorite part? Cruising through parks and nature on electric scooters—it was budget-friendly and kept us aligned with the program’s environmental goals. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first. I didn't really get why they'd pay five 18-year-olds to travel around Europe. But after this trip and everything I learned, I’m so glad I took the "risk."

It's an experience you'll never forget—one you’ll be telling your kids about someday. Sure, staying in a hostel might seem a bit intimidating at first—sharing a room with strangers can sound sketchy. But you quickly realize it's an awesome way to bond with your group and feel the team spirit.

Yeah, you might face some challenges and disagreements along the way, but in the end, you work through them together. After all, everyone’s there for the same reason: to be united, to feel like part of something bigger, to explore the world, and to discover themselves.

Updated on Thursday, 19/12/2024

Hi, I'm Julia.

I'm coming from Italy and I'm here in European Solidarity Corps and in particular for the organization HELP. 

I chose Split because I've been here for three times before this one and I really like the city, but I've always been here during summer.

So I want to experience how is life during winter times.

And what I can say I recommend to you to come to Split because it's people are really nice.

The weather is warm, even in December.

And what I learned from this experience? I mean, I found out something new about the topics, which is like helping people that use drugs.

And I also learned a little bit more how to approach young students and maybe explaining them like the risk and effects of taking drugs.

Updated on Tuesday, 28/01/2025

Hello, I'm Katarina. I'm from Italy.

I've been here for two weeks now and on Tuesday I'm gonna leave. So it will be 16 days in total because it's a short term volunteering project.

I chose Split because of the sea, because like the weather is really nice.

It's not a small city, so there's things to do every day.

My first impression was that people here are really nice.

I like the sea in general. I like the weather, beside for the wind part because I don't really like wind.

I think that another volunteer should choose Split because of the things that I just said and also because there are a lot of opportunities to, you know, having things to do activities.

I'm from HELP, so it's an organization that does harm reduction and prevention for drugs and other substances.

And I learned how to live with other people because I'm living with other people in my house and I'm satisfied.

I learned how to cooperate, how to improve my skills of talking in public and also I learned about many things about harm reduction and so things about my program.

Updated on Tuesday, 28/01/2025

Hello, I'm Efe, I'm from Turkey and I am here for two months and I will be here for another two months.

And why I chose Split is because the sea, of course, and the way of living.

And one of the things I really want to do is that I found here in HELP, in my organization.

And one of my first impression was that the city is really chill and it's very like calm, which made me feel calm.

But what did I learn?

Yeah, I can also say that I learned to feel chill and feel more calmer and also cooperate with others in group projects and that kind of.

Updated on Tuesday, 28/01/2025