In 2023, the Erasmus+ program continued to offer young people unique opportunities for exploration and personal development through the DiscoverEU Inclusion action. Our organization’s project, “Take a Step for Yourself,” was designed to provide additional support to young people who wish to participate in the DiscoverEU experience but face challenges.

The DiscoverEU Inclusion action was launched within the Erasmus+ program to encourage the participation of young people from underrepresented groups or with fewer opportunities. Organizations and informal youth groups received funding to implement projects that allow young people to benefit from the DiscoverEU experience and develop personally.

As part of the “Take a Step for Yourself” project, participants had the opportunity to explore Europe’s diversity, learn about the continent’s cultural heritage and history, and meet other young people from across Europe. The beneficiaries received a DiscoverEU European Youth Card, which offered discounts for cultural visits, learning and sports activities, local transportation, accommodation, and meals.

Our project concluded with results exceeding initial expectations, providing young participants with a unique experience. Through the support provided to 30 young people aged 18, we could offer them the opportunity to travel through Europe for 10 days. During their journey through at least three European countries, they learned about the common values that unite the continent, thus fostering a sense of belonging to the European community.

Another central objective of the project was to promote sustainable mobility. Most of the travel was done by train, using passes provided by the organizers, thus raising awareness among the young people about environmental protection and the importance of sustainable mobility. This approach not only reduced the carbon footprint but also encouraged the participants to adopt more responsible travel practices in the future.

A particularly special moment was represented by the meetings organized in cultural hubs across various European locations, where 12 of the participants had the chance to interact with young people from other countries, exchanging experiences and ideas. They were also encouraged to become ambassadors of their experiences, promoting intercultural initiatives in their home communities.

The project successfully brought together 30 young people from different parts of the country, offering them a unique educational and cultural experience. The selection of participants was based on their interest and desire to learn and develop, and the activities were carefully structured to facilitate their growth throughout the journey. We are proud to have contributed to the personal and professional development of these young people, helping them become active citizens of Europe.

“I had the opportunity to participate in the DiscoverEU project, an action of the #Erasmus+ program, coordinated by Irina Molnus, during which we carried out a series of cultural visits and activities to discover European culture.
We made the entire journey by train. It was an interesting experience that allowed us to get to know each other better and interact with people from all over Europe 🇪🇺, with whom we shared stories and learned new things about their countries.
In the cities we chose to explore, we visited several cultural landmarks such as Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna 🇦🇹, the Louvre Museum in Paris 🇫🇷, and the old town of Frankfurt 🇩🇪. It was amazing to see how in this German city, modern skyscrapers stand next to historical buildings 🌇. We also visited Parc des Princes (Paris Saint-Germain FC’s stadium) and Stade de France, where the world’s best athletes have played ⚽️.
Switzerland 🇨🇭 was the most surprising, a country very different from the others we visited and from the pace we are used to, with relaxed and smiling people, but sometimes quite skeptical about foreigners.
It was an unforgettable journey 💯, where we learned, had fun, laughed, and helped each other when needed. We didn’t mind the fatigue because we enjoyed every moment, good or not-so-good (I must admit, these created the best memories).”