YE EU Advocators: Words in Action

For five days, from September 21st to September 25th, young people gathered in Varna, Bulgaria, to explore how words, digital tools, and storytelling can be used to influence their surroundings and bring positive change to their communities. The youth exchange, titled “EU Advocators: Words in Action,” funded by the Erasmus+ program, brought together 26 participants from Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary. This article offers a look into their experiences, main activities, and overall impressions of the project. I was extremely excited to participate in this project. Meeting young people from different European countries was full of energy, inspiration, and great fun. During our days in Varna, we immersed ourselves in topics such as active citizenship, the European Youth Goals, and creating meaningful content. The project significantly boosted my communication skills, teamwork, intercultural understanding, and the ability to express ideas creatively. What I enjoyed the most was learning how to look at issues in our communities through practical exercises and finding concrete solutions for them. I returned home with fresh inspiration, new friendships, and wonderful memories of our time spent together. The program was exceptionally varied and packed with engaging activities. Right at the beginning, we got acquainted with the European Youth Strategy, the 11 European Youth Goals, and the Youthpass certificate, while also presenting our sending organizations. On the second day, we started with a refreshing Digital Detox Walk, recorded short audio introductions, and focused our discussions on the definitions of youth participation. We also explored the world of podcasts, listened to them, and focused on civic competencies. Next, during the “Act-it-Out” activity, we created short group performances representing different participatory tools, such as petitions or the European Citizens’ Initiative. In the “Community Problem Solvers” session, we identified challenges in our towns, such as a lack of cultural opportunities or social disconnection and filmed short videos pitching our proposed solutions. We also spent one full day exploring the culture and beauty of the city of Varna. Furthermore, within the framework of the European Digital Citizenship Education Week, we worked on designing our own project ideas focusing on inclusion, sport, and sustainability. An unforgettable part of the project was the Intercultural Night, where each country presented its culture, traditions, national dances, and traditional food in an interactive way.  Ela

Our exchange was an amazing experience full of interesting activities, new friendships, and unforgettable moments. We took part in storytelling activities, where we learned how to express our ideas and share our experiences creatively. During the podcast workshops, we developed our communication skills and learned more about creating engaging content. The activities focused on citizenship helped us better understand our role in society and the importance of active participation. We also learned about Youthpass, which helped us recognise and reflect on the skills and knowledge we gained during the project. Overall, the exchange helped us grow personally, improve our teamwork, and appreciate different perspectives and cultures.  Adriana