Erasmus+ program

My name is Maksim, and I’m from Visaginas, Lithuania. Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege of participating in numerous Erasmus+ youth exchanges, which opened the door for me to travel across Europe, to countries like France, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, and beyond. These experiences did more than show me new places; they introduced me to diverse cultures and helped me develop skills that have become essential in both my personal and professional life.

However, what truly shaped who I am today, and ignited my passion for activism, were Erasmus+ youth participation projects. As a member of the youth council in my hometown, we often struggled to turn ideas into action due to a lack of resources. Even organizing the smallest initiative felt like an uphill battle.

Everything changed when we secured funding for a youth participation project. Over the course of a year, our youth council was able to significantly strengthen youth advocacy in Visaginas. We organized a youth empowerment conference, held meetings with local officials, conducted youth-needs research within the municipality, and even hosted a symbolic sleepover inside the local municipality building.

All of these initiatives became possible thanks to the Erasmus+ program, not only by providing financial support, but by giving young people the tools, confidence, and legitimacy to actively shape their communities.

Updated on Mardi, 17/02/2026