ERASMUS+, Key action 1: youth exchange
Advance Planning Visit = APV: 14—17 July
Dates: 2—10 August 2025
Venue: Đurđevac, Croatia
Czech team: 6 participants + 1 group leader
Please read the info-pack.
Hosting organisation: Association for Youth Cooperation (AYC)
Project report:
At the beginning of August, we met in Đurđevac, Croatia, for the Erasmus+ Bridging Communities project, which brought together 35 young people from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Romania, and Serbia. Together, we explored topics such as migration, integration, or xenophobia. The project was also about sharing experiences, listening to each other, and overcoming barriers that often exist between us simply because we don’t know each other well enough.
In recent years, more and more foreign workers, especially from Asia, have been moving to smaller communities in countries such as Croatia, Serbia, and Romania. This trend brings cultural enrichment, but also new challenges – especially in places where residents have never before come into contact with people from different cultural backgrounds. While young people are usually more open-minded, the older generation often lacks the experience and tools to properly grasp these challenges. Combined with economic problems and the limited capabilities of local non-profit organizations, this creates room for misunderstandings and prejudices.
We tried to actively address this in the project – we prepared and facilitated our own workshops on integration and cultural understanding, tried simulations of real-life situations, and held debates in which we learned to look at migration from the perspective of both migrants and host countries. Meeting migrants working directly in Croatia was also very beneficial. They openly shared their stories with us – why they left their homes, what obstacles they had to overcome, and what it means for them to live and work in a new country.
There was also a cultural evening where we shared traditional food, music, and customs. These moments reminded us that cultural differences can be a source of joy and inspiration, not barriers.
The week in Đurđevac was intense and inspiring for all participants. We are taking away not only new knowledge and practical skills, but also friendships and experiences that transcend national borders. We are leaving with the message that open dialogue, listening to each other, and a willingness to understand others are key to building a more tolerant and cohesive society.
Vít Ch.
