From 17 to 23 March 2025, we took part in Pathways to Solidarity, a European Solidarity Corps training in Šibenik, Croatia.
The project brought together youth workers from Croatia, Italy, Spain, North Macedonia, Türkiye and Serbia. Each partner was expected to send three participants aged 18 or older with experience working with young people.
What was Pathways to Solidarity about?
Pathways to Solidarity focused on the European Solidarity Corps and how youth workers can develop projects and activities through the programme.
Participants explored ESC solidarity projects and discussed how they can respond to needs in local communities.
The training also looked at youth mobility and non-formal education. Participants exchanged examples from their organisations and worked on ideas that could later become their own projects.
The goal was practical. By the end of the training, participants were expected to have the basis for their own project or activity draft.
Who took part in the training?
The project brought together participants from six countries: Croatia, Italy, Spain, North Macedonia, Türkiye and Serbia.
Youth for Change represented North Macedonia.
Each partner organisation was expected to send three participants. Participants had to be at least 18 years old and have previous experience working with young people.
The project was hosted by Udruga mladih "Mladi u EU" from Šibenik.
What did participants actually do?
The programme focused on understanding ESC projects and turning local needs into project ideas.
Participants worked together to identify needs in local communities. From there, they developed ideas for an Action Plan that could respond to those needs.
Another important part of the training was project development.
By the end of the programme, participants worked on the basis for their own project draft or activity draft. This allowed them to take what they had discussed during the week and start turning it into something that could be used after the training.
Sessions also covered participation projects and opportunities available to young people who want to become more active in their communities.
Some activities took place at the premises of Mladi u EU, while others were held in the field.
Before arriving in Croatia, each national team also prepared a presentation about its sending organisation.
The programme included an intercultural night where national teams shared food, flags, language and other parts of their cultures.
At the end of the training, participants received a Youthpass certificate.
Where did we stay in Šibenik?
Participants stayed at Hostel Scala in 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.
How did participants develop their own project ideas?
The training moved from understanding the European Solidarity Corps to working on possible projects.
Participants first looked at solidarity projects and their role in local communities.
They then worked together to identify local needs. These needs became the starting point for developing an Action Plan.
The next step was turning those ideas into the basis for a project or activity draft.
This gave participants something concrete to continue working on after returning to their organisations.
Why was this training useful for YFCH?
Youth for Change works with young people in Bitola and takes part in European youth programmes, so learning more about ESC opportunities was directly connected to our work.
During the training, our participants could work on project ideas alongside youth workers from five other countries.
The focus on local needs was particularly useful. Instead of starting with a project title or activity, participants were encouraged to first identify a problem in their community and then think about what could be done.
The project drafting sessions also gave participants a starting point for developing future ESC activities.
How can you join a future YFCH project?
Youth for Change regularly takes part in Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps opportunities across Europe.
Pathways to Solidarity was designed for participants aged 18 or older with experience in youth work. Other projects can have different participant profiles and requirements.
Always check the dates, country, topic and participant requirements before applying.
Want to take part in 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
