"Democracy: Make Your Voice Count!" Youth Exchange

Project overview

Name of the project: "Democracy: Make Your Voice Count!"

Project number: 2024-1-EE01-KA151-YOU-000217910

Budget: 25 000 €

Type of the project: Youth Exchange

Place: Taevaskoja, (Tartu)

Activity dates: 02-08 April 2025

Number of participants: 26 young people

Countries involved: Estonia, Italy, Portugal, Greece

“This room has an ancient, almost magical power… a power passed down from Estonian ancestors. A room that can turn into a time machine.”

And so, our Erasmus+ adventure began.

In the heart of Estonia, young people from across Europe gathered — some not knowing what to expect, others eagerly chasing new experiences. It all started with a message, an opportunity, a simple invitation to be part of something bigger.

The first days were a whirlwind of emotions: excitement, curiosity, and yes — a little fear. Who were these people? What would happen over the next week? From the first shy smiles to chaotic Human Bingo games, from room-sharing with strangers to the unforgettable intercultural nights — every moment felt alive, unfamiliar, and yet so natural.

We weren’t just participants. We were adventurers, dreamers, and future change-makers. Guided by our amazing team — Aleksei, Nataliia, and Pietro — we tackled workshops on democracy, media, youth activism, and sustainability. We debated, laughed, and discovered surprising facts about our world and each other.

Outside the training room, Estonia revealed its quiet beauty. Snow-covered forests, fairy-tale lakes, and cozy villages welcomed us. Sauna nights, snowball fights, and hikes through frozen woods bonded us in ways we hadn’t imagined. Together, we built spaghetti towers, invented utopias, and even turned into mythical creatures for a day.

We realized how similar we are despite our borders. The problems we face, the dreams we share, and the connections we build transcend geography.

In numbers, it was:

1 trip, 7 breakfasts, 10 trains, 14 meals, 25 new friends, 100 emotions, 1000 kilometers, 10,000 dreams.

But in truth — it was something far greater.

As the final day arrived, we understood: we were no longer the same people who packed their bags a week before. We left with our hearts fuller, our minds wider, and a sense of belonging to a bigger world. Friendships born in a snowy Estonian village will follow us across countries and years.

This wasn’t just a project. It was a life chapter. A gentle reminder that, no matter how long the night — the sun will always rise.

Here comes the sun.

You can feel it by yourself by checking our stories and post on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18045109637371381/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DITCT3OOdJw/?img_index=1

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This Project was financed by European Commission’s Erasmus + Programme:  http://noored.ee/

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