From 12 to 18 October 2024, we took part in Unlocking Erasmus+: Project Writing Essentials, an Erasmus+ training course in Šibenik, Croatia.
The project brought together youth workers from different European countries to work on Erasmus+ project writing. Participants explored how project ideas can be developed into proposals and how Erasmus+ mobility opportunities can be used in youth work.
What was Unlocking Erasmus+ about?
Unlocking Erasmus+ focused on writing and developing Erasmus+ projects.
The training was designed for people already working with young people. Each partner was expected to send three participants aged 18 or older with youth work experience.
During the week, participants worked with tools and methods for developing project proposals.
They also exchanged examples from their organisations and discussed how Erasmus+ projects can involve young people in international mobility and non-formal education.
Who took part in the training?
The infopack lists Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland and Spain as the participating countries.
Youth for Change represented North Macedonia.
Each partner was expected to send three participants. Participants had to be at least 18 years old and have experience working with young people.
The project was hosted by Udruga mladih "Mladi u EU" in Šibenik.
The partner organisations listed in the project materials include Youth for Change, Asociación Juvenil Illipula, S.I.S.E.R.A. Greece and Fundacja Laboratorium Zmiany.
What did participants learn about Erasmus+ project writing?
The main focus was moving from a project idea towards an Erasmus+ proposal.
Participants looked at how Erasmus+ projects are developed and implemented. They exchanged practices from their organisations and worked with different project-writing tools and methods.
The training also connected project writing with youth mobility.
This meant thinking about how an Erasmus+ project can respond to the needs of young people and how mobility activities can be included in the project.
Participants could compare approaches used by organisations from different countries and discuss how those approaches could work in their own organisations.
What did participants prepare before the project?
Each national team prepared a presentation about its sending organisation.
The presentation included information about the organisation's involvement and previous experience with Erasmus+.
This gave the group examples of how different organisations already worked with the programme.
Each team also prepared something for the intercultural night. The format was open. Teams could use presentations, videos, quizzes, traditional songs or dances.
During the project, participants used the intercultural activities to introduce their countries to the rest of the group.
At the end of the training, participants received a Youthpass certificate.
Where did participants 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.
Why was project writing useful for YFCH?
Writing Erasmus+ proposals is directly connected to the international opportunities Youth for Change works with.
The training gave our participants time to focus specifically on how Erasmus+ projects are developed.
Working with participants from other organisations also meant seeing how they approached project ideas and youth mobility.
For our team, the useful part was connecting an idea with the process of turning it into a structured Erasmus+ project proposal.
The training could then be connected back to our work in North Macedonia and the international opportunities we provide for young people through YFCH.
How can you join a future YFCH training?
Youth for Change regularly takes part in Erasmus+ youth exchanges and training courses across Europe.
Unlocking Erasmus+ was designed for people aged 18 or older who already had experience working with young people. Other projects have different requirements.
Before applying, check whether the opportunity is a youth exchange or training course, who can participate, the dates and the topic.
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
