1. What was the most valuable experience or moment for you during this project?
The workshops exploring youth participation in depth were especially valuable to me, particularly the Youth Participation Spectrum and Power Mapping. These activities helped me understand how influence and decision-making work in practice.
Before the exchange, some of these concepts felt abstract. During the activities, I could see more clearly how power is distributed, who influences decisions and where young people can find opportunities to contribute. That made the learning much more concrete.
Sharing ideas with participants from different countries added another dimension. Hearing about their experiences helped me recognise that, although our circumstances differ, we often share similar challenges and motivations. Those conversations made the workshops even more meaningful.
2. What new skills, knowledge or perspectives did you gain?
I gained a clearer understanding of youth participation at both local and European levels. In the “Youth Participation: EU Edition” workshop, I learned about opportunities and structures that support young people. I was interested to discover how varied these possibilities are.
I also developed my creative communication skills. We used theatre, role play and interactive activities to explore and present ideas. At first, these methods felt unfamiliar, but I came to appreciate how effectively they could make a message accessible and engaging.
Working with people from different countries helped me practise teamwork and communication. It also made me more aware of the barriers young people can face because of their backgrounds, circumstances or access to opportunities. That gave me a more empathetic and realistic understanding of participation.
3. How has this experience changed you personally or influenced your future plans?
The experience made me more aware of my potential as an active citizen. Before the project, I did not always consider how much I could contribute. Now, I feel more confident about taking an active role.
I am motivated to join youth initiatives and would like to participate in—or eventually help organise—similar projects. Being involved now feels more achievable because I have experienced what it can look like in practice.
I also became more comfortable expressing my ideas and taking initiative. I noticed that when there is space for people to share their thoughts, others listen and respond. That encouraged me to trust my own contribution.
I came away believing that I can have an impact, even if it begins with a small action.
4. What would you say to other young people who are thinking about joining an Erasmus+ project?
I would encourage them to give it a try. Alongside learning about a topic, an exchange offers opportunities to meet people, experience different cultures and become more comfortable in unfamiliar situations.
Our programme was full of activities, conversations and new ideas. That intensity made the time feel rich, and I was surprised by how much we could learn and share during a short experience.
The connections were particularly important to me. Spending time together every day helped us get to know one another beyond first impressions. By the end, it felt as though we had known each other much longer.
For me, the exchange was an opportunity to develop personally and socially while seeing familiar questions from different perspectives.
5. Before this project, what did youth participation mean to you, and how has your understanding changed?
Before the project, I associated youth participation mainly with volunteering or joining activities. The exchange helped me understand how broad it can be and how closely it connects to influence and decision-making.
I learned to look at the role young people have within an activity: whether they are sharing opinions, helping develop an idea or participating in decisions. The Youth Participation Spectrum encouraged me to think more carefully about those differences.
I also realised that participation can begin in everyday settings. Sharing an opinion, joining a small initiative or starting something in your community can all be meaningful ways to contribute.
Young people have a stake in the future, and we should have opportunities to help shape it. I now feel more aware of that responsibility and more able to recognise possibilities for involvement around me.
6. What would you say to encourage other young people to participate more actively in society?
You do not have to begin with something big or perfectly planned. I used to associate participation with major actions, but volunteering, sharing an idea or joining a local activity can be a useful starting point.
Find something that fits your interests. People contribute in different ways, and you do not have to follow the same path as someone else.
I know that some young people hesitate because they feel inexperienced or doubt whether their voice matters. Your perspective is still worth sharing, and getting involved gives you opportunities to learn while contributing.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
