From 17 to 26 September 2025, young people from Youth for Change took part in Life Skills, an Erasmus+ youth exchange in Cristuru Secuiesc, Romania.
The project brought together young people from North Macedonia, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. Each national team included five participants aged 13 to 17 and one team leader aged 20 or older.
What was the Life Skills youth exchange about?
Life Skills focused on practical things young people can use in everyday life.
The programme covered practical, digital, theoretical and emotional skills. Participants worked on topics that are useful at school, when looking for work and in everyday situations.
The activities included learning how to prepare a professional CV, practising first aid, managing emotions and speaking confidently in public.
The project also covered digital skills, self-development and active citizenship.
Who took part in the project?
The youth exchange brought together participants from four countries: North Macedonia, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania.
Youth for Change represented North Macedonia.
Each national team included five young participants between 13 and 17 years old. Each team also had one team leader aged 20 or older.
Participants needed a communication level of English so they could take part in the international activities.
What did participants actually learn?
The programme focused on skills young people can use outside the classroom.
One of the topics was writing a professional CV. Participants learned how to present their skills and experience when applying for future opportunities.
First aid was another part of the programme.
Participants also worked on emotional skills. This included understanding and managing emotions in different situations.
Public speaking gave participants a chance to practise expressing themselves and speaking in front of other people.
Digital skills were also included in the programme.
These different topics gave participants practical knowledge they could use after returning home, rather than focusing only on theory.
What was it like to learn in an international group?
The project brought together teenagers from four different countries for ten days of activities.
Workshops were interactive and participants were expected to take an active role in the programme.
The international setting also meant using English throughout the exchange and working with people from different backgrounds.
Structured reflection was another part of the programme. Participants had time to think about what they had learned and discuss their experiences with the group.
Where did participants stay?
The accommodation was in Cristuru Secuiesc, Romania Petofi Motel
What did it cost to take part?
Accommodation and meals were covered as part of the project.
Travel costs were reimbursed up to €309 for standard travel or €417 for green travel, according to the rules of the Erasmus+ project.
Green travel included options such as travelling by train, bus or carpooling.
Why are life skills important for young people?
Many of the topics covered during Life Skills are things young people will need as they become more independent.
Writing a CV can help when applying for a first job, internship or volunteering opportunity. First aid gives young people basic knowledge for emergency situations.
Emotional skills and public speaking are useful in school, work and everyday communication.
The project brought these topics together in one programme where participants could practise them instead of only reading about them.
For our younger participants, it was also an opportunity to experience an Erasmus+ youth exchange while still in high school.
What did YFCH participants bring back from Romania?
Our participants returned to North Macedonia with practical experience in several areas.
They worked on CV writing, first aid, emotional management, public speaking and digital skills.
They also spent ten days communicating and working with young people from Hungary, Slovakia and Romania.
For YFCH, the project was particularly relevant because it gave teenagers the opportunity to take part in international non-formal education and learn skills they can use in their everyday lives.
How can you join the next YFCH youth exchange?
Youth for Change regularly sends young people from North Macedonia to Erasmus+ youth exchanges across Europe.
Life Skills was specifically designed for younger participants aged 13 to 17. Other projects have different age limits, topics and participant requirements.
Always check the age requirement, dates, country and topic before applying.
Want to join one of our next projects? Check the Youth for Change website for new opportunities or contact us at contact@yfch.org.
Erasmus+ Programme
of the European Union
