Association "Institute Perspectives" is currently seeking four partner organizations from countries situated along the Danube River basin to participate in an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project titled "New Horizons towards European Participation."
Our organization has held Erasmus+ accreditation since 2021 and is recognized among the first nine accredited youth organizations in Bulgaria. This exchange will be organized under the Erasmus+ Programme, Youth sector.
We are specifically looking for partners actively involved in environmental conservation, outdoor education, and youth engagement through non-formal educational methodologies.
EXCHANGE DETAILS:
- Participants: 36 participants in total. Each partner organization is expected to select and send 5 young participants aged between 16 and 29 years, accompanied by 1 group leader.
- Date and Location: The youth exchange will take place from 12 to 20 July 2025. Arrival will be on 12 July, and departure on 20 July from the town of Svishtov, Bulgaria.
POLICY CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES:
Young people often face insufficient opportunities for meaningful involvement in decision-making processes on issues directly impacting their lives. Complex administrative procedures frequently hinder their rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and protection against discrimination. Additionally, barriers persist regarding their access to education, training, and youth work—essential avenues through which they gain valuable knowledge on human rights and fundamental freedoms, preparing them for active and responsible citizenship in democratic societies.
The upcoming youth exchange aims to empower young participants by equipping them with competencies vital for active civic and social engagement. Participants will develop leadership skills necessary for fostering environments conducive to peer participation and the active involvement of future generations.
Starting from 1 July 2025, the border along the Danube between Bulgaria and Romania will cease to function as an internal border, fully activating the advantages of the Schengen area between the two countries. This change opens significant new opportunities for cross-border youth collaboration, especially targeting Generation Alpha. The youth exchange will leverage the potential of such transnational cooperation by integrating volunteers from the EU and collaborating with existing social and public institutions. We aim to maximize the experience and best practices from other Danube countries within the Schengen context, specifically enhancing the Bulgarian-Romanian bilateral cooperation.
EDUCATIONAL METHODOLOGY:
The educational framework of this exchange will utilize the innovative "Danube Survivor" methodology, emphasizing entirely non-formal outdoor learning experiences. This approach fosters active youth participation and engagement. A detailed program will be co-created collaboratively between youth workers from the Institute Perspectives and the participants themselves, ensuring relevance, inclusivity, and ownership of the educational outcomes.
For additional details regarding the "Danube Survivor" methodology and our approach to outdoor experiential education, you can find here –
https://www.institute-perspectives.com/services/danubesurvivour
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR PARTICIPANTS:
Participants involved in this youth exchange will:
- Develop competencies for organizing educational youth initiatives in natural environments, gaining valuable knowledge in outdoor education methods.
- Enhance their teamwork and interpersonal communication skills through collaborative activities and group tasks, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
- Increase their awareness of environmental conservation, specifically understanding the ecological significance and the necessity of protecting the Danube river ecosystem.
- Acquire practical skills in disseminating European Union-related knowledge through innovative outdoor learning methods, empowering them to actively engage their peers and local communities.
BENEFITS FOR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS:
Partner organizations participating in this youth exchange will have access to multiple strategic advantages:
- Innovative Learning Environment:
The Institute Perspectives, through principles of social entrepreneurship, has successfully transformed an abandoned rural property into a modern outdoor educational center. This facility includes comfortable accommodation, an outdoor cinema, swimming pool with jacuzzi, fully-equipped conference room, and extensive outdoor space offering panoramic views of the Danube river. The ambition is to further develop this site as a sustainable venue for future nature-based educational events. Additionally, to promote environmentally responsible transportation, two rowing boats, each with a capacity for eight persons, have been acquired. These allow participants to sustainably visit the protected Danube islands, which are designated nature reserves due to their rich biodiversity, hosting diverse plant and animal species maintained over millennia.
- Networking and Expert Insight:
During the youth exchange, partner organizations will engage directly with experts from local municipalities, NGOs, and youth centers. These specialists possess significant experience in managing and implementing EU-funded projects under programs such as INTERREG, LIFE, and Horizon Europe. Participants will have unique networking opportunities, laying the groundwork for potential future collaborations and joint project proposals.
LOGISTICAL INFORMATION:
The following outlines key logistical arrangements for the youth exchange scheduled from July 12th to July 20th, 2025:
- Arrival (12 July 2025):All participants are required to arrive in Sofia no later than 11:30 AM on July 12th. Should there be no convenient transportation options, the Institute Perspectives will arrange overnight accommodation in a hostel for the night of July 11th.
- Transfer and Accommodation (12 July 2025): On the evening of July 12th, participants will travel collectively from Sofia to Svishtov, where overnight accommodation will be arranged in a local hotel.
- Commencement of Activities (13 July 2025): The youth exchange officially begins on July 13th with an engaging, environmentally-friendly journey by rowing boats from Svishtov to the educational center located in the village of Vardim, approximately 12 kilometers away.
- Core Exchange Activities (14-19 July 2025): From July 14th to July 19th, the program will take place amidst the picturesque Danube islands, incorporating various outdoor educational and experiential activities designed around the principles of active youth participation and environmental stewardship.
- Departure (20 July 2025): On the morning of July 20th, participants will depart from Svishtov to Sofia, concluding the youth exchange program.
MEALS AND DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS:
Throughout the duration of the exchange, ample meals featuring local products, including meat and various other items sourced from regional producers, will be provided. Dietary preferences and specific nutritional requirements will be accommodated and pre-arranged during the preparatory online meetings.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ON ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION:
Consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited throughout the entire duration of the youth exchange. All participants will be required to formally declare their commitment to adhere to this rule by signing a specific declaration, confirming that they will refrain from alcohol consumption during the exchange.
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE:
- By 10 May 2025: Final selection and confirmation of partner organizations.
- By 14 May 2025: Signing of partnership agreements with selected organizations.
- By 19 May 2025: Finalization and communication of participant selection.
- 20 May 2025: First online preparatory meeting with selected participants.
- 28 May 2025: Second online preparatory meeting with selected participants.
- By 31 May 2025: Participants must purchase travel tickets to Bulgaria.
- 1 June – 6 July 2025: Conducting four additional online preparatory meetings according to a jointly agreed schedule. (Each online session will last between 60-90 minutes, held in the timeframe between 18:00 – 20:00 CET.)
- 12-20 July 2025: Implementation of the youth exchange activities.
- 21-31 July 2025: Post-exchange dissemination activities conducted by participants to share outcomes and experiences.
BUDGETARY CONDITIONS:
- Travel Costs:Participants' travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the standard conditions established for Erasmus+ KA1 Youth sector for accredited organizations.
- Accommodation:Accommodation will be provided in shared dormitory-style rooms at our newly established youth outdoor educational center in the village of Vardim, fully equipped to facilitate comfortable, immersive learning experiences in a natural setting.
- Preparatory and Dissemination Budget: Each selected partner organization will receive €300 intended specifically for conducting preparatory activities during the six weeks prior to the exchange, as well as organizing one dissemination event (either online or in-person).This dissemination event should involve a minimum of 15 young participants aged 16-29.
- Participation Fee:The above-mentioned €300 allocation ensures no participation fee is required from any of the young people involved.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Organizations interested in becoming partners for this youth exchange must submit the following documentation by 6 May 2025, via email to:erasmuska1@institute-perspectives.com
Required application documents:
- PIF (Partner Identification Form) of your organization.
- Examples of previous activities or initiatives organized by your organization related to the Danube River region or environmental/youth activities.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the proposed team leader representing your organization during the youth exchange.
- A brief description of the young people your organization regularly works with, clearly indicating your ongoing local youth engagement activities.Preference will be given to organizations with proven consistent local engagement rather than those primarily involved in sending participants on Erasmus mobility trips without substantial local activities.
Thank you for your interest in partnering with us for the Erasmus+ youth exchange “New Horizons for European Participation.” We look forward to collaborating towards empowering young people and fostering meaningful cross-border cooperation along the Danube region.
