From 24 to 28 November 2025, we took part in *Feel It to Heal It*, an Erasmus+ training course in Šibenik, Croatia. The project brought together participants from Croatia, Georgia, North Macedonia, Serbia and France to work on emotional skills and their use in youth work.
Each partner was asked to send three participants. Participants had to be at least 18 years old and have experience working with young people.
What was Feel It to Heal It about?
The training focused on emotions, relationships and the way youth workers use these skills when working with young people.
The programme was especially connected to work with young people who are unemployed, vulnerable or have fewer opportunities. It also looked at young people with socio-emotional needs.
The training was divided into five main modules:
* Emotion identification
* Internal emotional competences
* Social-emotional skills
* Problem-solving and decision making
* Psychological wellbeing
We worked on how emotions affect the way we communicate and make decisions. We also looked at how youth workers can use these skills when supporting young people with personal, work or career decisions.
Who organised the project?
The project was hosted by *Udruga mladih "Mladi u EU"* in Šibenik.
The organisation was established in 2008. It works with young people in Šibenik and runs activities connected to youth information, volunteering and civil society.
Youth for Change joined as the partner from North Macedonia.
The project also included partner organisations from Georgia, France and Italy. The infopack lists participants from Croatia, Georgia, North Macedonia, Serbia and France.
What did participants actually do?
The training combined sessions about emotions with work connected directly to youth work.
Before arriving in Croatia, every national team had homework.
We had to prepare a presentation about our organisation. Each team also prepared examples of Erasmus+ work connected to mental health in its country.
During the training, participants worked through the five modules of the programme. This started with identifying emotions. Later sessions moved into internal emotional competences and social-emotional skills.
Problem-solving and decision making were another part of the programme. Psychological wellbeing was the final module listed in the training plan.
There was also an intercultural night.
Each national team was asked to bring its flag, food and drinks. Teams could also prepare videos, language samples, dances or songs from their country.
At the end of the training, participants received a Youthpass certificate to record what they had done and learned during the Erasmus+ project.
Where did we stay in Šibenik?
Participants stayed at Hostel Globo in the centre of Šibenik.
What did it cost to take part?
Participants were reimbursed for their travel costs according to the Erasmus+ Distance Calculator. The project followed the Erasmus+ guidelines for the mobility.
Why did YFCH join this training?
We work with young people through our activities in Bitola, so the topic was directly connected to our work.
Feel It to Heal It looked specifically at situations youth workers can meet when working with unemployed young people, young people with fewer opportunities and those dealing with socio-emotional needs.
The programme gave us five areas to work through, from recognising emotions to problem-solving and psychological wellbeing.
It also gave us time to compare our work with organisations and youth workers from other countries.
How can you join the next YFCH project?
We regularly send young people and youth workers from North Macedonia to Erasmus+ projects across Europe.
Each project has different requirements. Some are youth exchanges. Others, like Feel It to Heal It, are training courses for people already involved in youth work.
Follow our open calls and check the age, dates, topic and participant profile before applying.
Want to take part in the next one? Check the Youth for Change website for new opportunities or contact us at [email protected].