NEWS
Europe on Earth
Project dates:
to
About the project
Europe on Earth is an international youth exchange organised in the framework of Generation Europe – The Academy, focusing on the position of the European Union on the global scale. The project will bring together young people from Romania, Germany and Poland in Gdynia, Poland, between 20 July and 30 July 2026.
Generation Europe supports young people in forming local groups and connecting through international youth encounters. Through these partnerships, young people from three countries work together, exchange perspectives and support each other in taking action at local and European level. The project creates a space where participants can better understand European participation, cooperation between countries and the role of young people in shaping their communities.
During the youth exchange, participants will take part in workshops, study visits, meetings with organisations and institutions, and group activities.
What is a Youth Exchange?
A Youth Exchange in the Erasmus+ framework is a learning program aimed at youth workers. For a set number of days, participants from different countries come together to focus on a specific topic, such as inclusion or digital skills. The program usually includes lectures, workshops, and group discussions. It provides a chance to improve your professional skills, learn new methods, and network with others in the field. It’s a useful opportunity for career development and for improving your ability to work with young people.
Participants’ Profile
For this youth exchange, ARYAS will select young people from the local community who are motivated to take part in an international learning experience and to continue being involved in local youth activities after the project.
Young Participants
The young participants should:
– be between 16 and 23 years old;
– have Romanian nationality or residency;
– have at least a basic level of English, enough to communicate during group activities;
– be open, flexible, proactive and willing to work in a multinational and intercultural team;
– be interested in the topic of the project and motivated to learn more about the role of the European Union on a global scale;
– be willing to participate actively in all workshops, study visits, meetings and group activities during the project;
– be ready to share their ideas, listen to different perspectives and contribute to a collaborative learning environment;
– be connected to the local community and interested in continuing their involvement in youth work or local initiatives after the mobility.
Group Leader
The group leader should be a person with experience in working with young people and with the capacity to support the Romanian group before, during and after the mobility.
The group leader should:
– be over 18 years old;
– have Romanian nationality or residency;
– have a good level of English and be able to communicate with the organising team and the other group leaders;
– be actively engaged in youth work activities;
– be able to support the preparation of the Romanian participants before departure;
– be responsible, organised and able to guide the group during travel and during the project;
– support participants in understanding the programme, respecting the rules and taking part actively in the activities;
– contribute to group reflection, communication with the organisers and follow-up activities after the project;
– be committed to applying the knowledge and methods gained during the project in future youth work activities.
Mentor
The mentor should be a person connected to the local group and able to support the learning and follow-up process of the participants, especially in relation to their involvement in the local community.
The mentor should:
– be over 18 years old;
– have experience in youth work, mentoring, facilitation or community-based activities;
– understand the needs of young people from the local community;
– support participants before the mobility by helping them prepare for the topic, the intercultural experience and the practical aspects of participation;
– encourage the young people to reflect on their learning process during and after the project;
– support the participants in applying what they learned after returning home;
– contribute to strengthening the connection between the international project and local youth activities;
– be able to create a safe, supportive and collaborative learning environment for the young people involved.
Number of participants
Selection criteria
The selection process will be based on the motivation, availability and local involvement of the applicants. ARYAS will give priority to young people from the local community who are interested in the topic of the project and who are willing to stay involved in youth activities after the mobility.
Young participants will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Motivation to participate in the project.
- Interest in the topic.
- Connection with the local community – the project is addressed mainly to young people from the local community.
- Basic English communication skills – participants should be able to communicate in English during group activities, workshops and informal moments with the international group.
- Availability for the full project period .
- Commitment to follow-up – participants should be willing to share what they learned after returning home and contribute to local youth activities organised or supported by ARYAS.
For group leaders
Group leaders will be selected based on their experience, responsibility and capacity to support the Romanian group throughout the project.
The selected group leaders should have experience in youth work or in coordinating young people, a good level of English, strong communication skills and the ability to support the group before, during and after the mobility. They should be able to manage practical situations, support participants during travel, communicate with the organisers and encourage active participation during the programme.
Priority will be given to people already involved in ARYAS activities or in youth work at local level, who can contribute to the preparation of the group and to the follow-up process after the project.
For the mentor
The mentor will be selected based on their experience in supporting young people and their connection with the local community.
The mentor should be able to guide the learning process of the participants, support them in understanding the topic of the project and encourage them to apply what they learned after returning home. The mentor should also contribute to connecting the international experience with local youth work activities and support the group in reflecting on the project results.
Priority will be given to a person with experience in mentoring, facilitation, youth work or community-based activities, especially someone who understands the needs of young people from the local community.
General selection principles
The final selection will also take into account gender balance, motivation, availability, the applicant’s potential to benefit from the project and their willingness to contribute to the group. ARYAS may also prioritise young people who have fewer opportunities or limited previous access to international learning experiences.
Selection procedure
1. Carefully read through the info-pack and participant contract to make sure you understand the project details and requirements.
2. Complete the application form with accurate and complete information. We strongly advise you to fill out the application form by yourself and to be honest and original in your responses. The purpose of the application is to get to know you better and to understand why you are interested in our project. It is important that your application reflects your own thoughts and ideas.
3. Submit your application before the deadline. Please note that late applications may not be considered.
4. After the application deadline has passed, we will notify you of the results by email, in a maximum of 2 working days. Please check your email regularly and also your spam folder in case our email gets filtered there.
5. If you are selected to participate in the project, you will be required to sign the participant contract within 2 days and send it back to us via email. Please read the contract carefully and ensure that you understand and agree to the terms and conditions before signing.
6. Once you have completed all the necessary steps, you will be ready to participate in the project. We will provide you with all the additional instructions or guidelines to ensure that you have a successful and enjoyable experience.
Participants’ obligations and responsibilities
1. Attendance and Punctuality: Participants are required to attend all scheduled activities, workshops, and meetings. Being punctual is essential.
2. Active Participation: Active involvement in all group activities is expected. This includes asking questions, sharing insights, and contributing to discussions and complete all activities outlined in the provided info-pack as part of their obligations for the duration of the program.
3. Respect and Inclusion: Participants should treat everyone—fellow participants, organizers, and community members—with respect and dignity. Discrimination of any kind is not acceptable.
4. Cultural Sensitivity: Participants are expected to be respectful of the cultural norms and customs of the host country and fellow participants from different backgrounds.
5. Safety Guidelines: Compliance with all safety instructions and guidelines provided by the organizers is mandatory.
6. Reimbursement: Participants are responsible for keeping all receipts and submitting them in a timely manner for reimbursement.
7. Dissemination: Participants should share the experiences and knowledge gained during the program in their home communities, both during and after the program, via social media, blogs, or community presentations.
8. Evaluation: Participants must complete surveys or feedback forms to help the organizers assess the impact and effectiveness of the program.
9. Legal Compliance: Participants should comply with all local, state, and national laws of the host country during the program.
10. Confidentiality: Any sensitive or confidential information shared during the program should not be disclosed to unauthorized individuals.
11. Health and Insurance: It’s the participant’s responsibility to inform the organizers of any health issues or dietary restrictions they may have and to secure any required or recommended insurance.
12. Contractual Agreement: Participants are expected to read, understand, and adhere to any contracts or agreements provided by the organizers.
Costs
1. Accommodation: The organizers cover the costs of your stay. This usually includes lodging in hotels or hostels as described in the info-pack.
2. Meals and Coffee Breaks: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and scheduled coffee breaks are provided by the organizing team, with no cost from your side. This allows you to focus on the activities and socializing rather than worrying about meals.
3. Transportation: You will need to pay for your transport initially, but these expenses are reimbursed later by the organizers, in the Erasmus+ limits. This typically covers flights, trains, and local transport like buses or metro. Please check carefully the info-pack for more details.
4. Activities and Materials: All activities, workshops, and materials needed for the program are provided by the organizers. This can range from educational materials to equipment for specific activities like dance or sports.
Contribution Fee: There is a standard contribution fee of 25 euros that participants are required to pay to our association’s account. This fee helps to cover administrative costs and also supports those with fewer opportunities to participate. If you face financial hardships that make it difficult to pay this fee, you can request an exemption by contacting us directly. Documentation, such as a letter explaining your situation or proof of low income, may be required. Once you have made the contribution, you’ll need to include proof of payment when submitting your participant contract.
Other information
For any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at contact@aryas.ro.
