EU Connects - Erasmus+ Youth Exchange

Why This Project?

Street of Youth Association created the project "EU Connects" in response to a challenge they see among their own generation: a growing disconnect from democratic values and European identity. Youth voter turnout remains low, and many young people, particularly those from rural areas or disadvantaged economic backgrounds, feel distant from EU institutions and processes. The project directly addressed this divide by fostering advocacy skills, deepening an understanding of the EU, and strengthening intercultural solidarity.

The core topics explored during the exchange were EU awareness, democracy, inclusive democratic participation, and European identity, citizenship and values. The inclusion of participants from Turkey, as an EU candidate country, added a valuable perspective on what European belonging means and helped engage young people with fewer opportunities.

Learning By Doing

True to Street of Youth's philosophy, EU Connects relied entirely on non-formal education. Rather than attending lectures and exams, participants learned through interactive methods that placed active participation and peer learning at the centre. From the very first days, communication challenges and ice-breaking exercises created a safe space where participants could openly discuss their personal perspectives, hopes, and fears across cultural borders.

Throughout the week, participants explored European democracy through practical simulations and lively debates. Instead of solely memorizing facts, they stepped directly into the shoes of European decision-makers in an interactive role-play, navigating key historical turning points from post-war coal and steel agreements to direct parliamentary elections. Alongside these simulations, structured debate sessions allowed participants to tackle complex questions surrounding AI, the rule of law, fundamental human rights, and the future of democratic participation, practicing both public speaking and critical reflection.

Moving from European policy to local action, hands-on campaign workshops gave participants the tools to design their own advocacy initiatives on issues they care deeply about. Addressing challenges like public transport, affordable housing, and youth spaces, teams developed concrete action plans and took to the streets of Eger to research and film short campaign videos to raise awareness for their causes.

Intercultural nights, fully organized by each national group, invited participants to share their culture, traditions, and stories. A day trip to Budapest rounded out the thematic programme with a visit to the European Experience Centre, offering interactive insights into European decision-making and citizen engagement. Daily reflection sessions, guided by group leaders each evening, helped participants process what they had learned and document their growth using Youthpass, the Erasmus+ tool for recognizing competences gained through non-formal experiences.

The Partners

Three experienced youth organizations brought their expertise to the project alongside Street of Youth: ProAtlântico from Portugal, a nonprofit active in international youth exchanges since 2001 with over 12,000 members nationwide; Fondacia Savremennost (Contemporary Society Foundation) from Bulgaria, which has implemented over 25 European projects focused on youth entrepreneurship and active citizenship; and SERGED from Antalya, Turkey, an association promoting intercultural dialogue and non-formal education with more than 400 members.

Beyond the Exchange

The impact of EU Connects was designed to outlast the seven days in Eger. Participants are expected to become ambassadors of the project in their home communities, sharing their experiences on social media, organizing local dissemination events, and potentially launching their own advocacy campaigns. Project materials and a final handbook will be made freely available on the SALTO platform for youth workers across Europe. Our team also hopes EU Connects will be the foundation for larger follow-up projects, building on this exchange to scale its impact further.

The project has been co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program. Project Code: 2025-3-HU01-KA152-YOU-000373077

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