ERASMUS+, Key action 1: youth exchange
Dates: 18—27 November 2024
Venue: Covilhã (Serra da Estrela), Portugal
Czech team: 5 participants + 1 group leader
Please read the info-pack.
Hosting organisation: Clube Nacional de Montanhismo
Project report:
The Youth Exchange “Woodlanding,” organized by Clube Nacional de Montanhismo – Clube Alpino, took place in Serra da Estrela, Portugal, from November 18th to November 27th. Participants came from Spain, Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. The main goal of the event was to raise awareness about environmental issues, especially forest fire prevention, and to encourage cultural exchange and learning from each other.
On the first day, all teams arrived at Pousada da Juventude. After settling in, we had a gathering where everyone introduced themselves, making it easy to get to know each other in a friendly atmosphere. The second day started with a fun activity to get everyone energized and meet each other better. After that, we went over the details of the program and what we hoped to achieve. There was also time to talk about the Erasmus+ program and we finished with the “Mission Impossible” activity, which helped to bring the teams closer together.
On day three, each country shared its situation with climate and forest fires, focusing a lot on deforestation. We were split into small groups to talk about ideas for preventing forest fires and protecting biodiversity. The day ended with a Cultural Night where Spain and Portugal presented their traditions, food, and music.
Day four was more relaxed. We visited Torre of Serra da Estrela, the highest point in Portugal, and walked around the city of Covilhã, checking out local markets and the beautiful Portuguese buildings. It was a great way to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
On day five, the Bulgarian team led an energizing activity. Then, we watched a TED Talk called “How Trees Talk to Each Other,” which made us think about how important trees are to the planet. In the afternoon, we worked on our sustainability projects, and in the evening, Romania and Germany hosted the second Cultural Night, where we enjoyed local food and music.
The sixth day was all about nature, with an 11 km hike through the Serra da Estrela, where we got to see amazing views and the region’s unique plants and animals. After the hike, we went ice skating, had a chestnut tasting, and ended the day with a fun White Party with paella and dancing.
On the seventh day, we continued working on our “Future Plan” project. We also had an activity about using natural resources wisely and learned a new dance from the Romanian team. The day ended with a creative team-building exercise where we built cubes, followed by a night of games.
The last two days were focused on finishing up our Canva projects and presenting them. On Monday, we went to plant fire-resiliet trees in areas that were hit by the most destructive fires in previous years. The same day, the Bulgarian and Czech teams organized an international evening, where the Czech team introduced semolina porridge and eggnog, which we made together, along with traditional Czech dances. On the final evening, there was a special ceremony for giving out certificates. Day 10 was time to say goodbye and head back from the mountains to our homes.
Throughout the exchange, we not only learned a lot about environmental issues and forest fires but also made great friends, experienced different cultures, and worked together on sustainability projects. It was an unforgettable and enriching experience!
Lukáš V.
