ERASMUS+, Key action 1: youth exchange
Venue: Kochani, Ponikva – Osogovo Mountain, North Macedonia
Dates: 15—23 July 2024
Czech team: 4 participants + 1 group leader
Please read the info-pack.
Hosting organisation: Seme Za Promeni
Project report:
I was fortunate to experience the rich Balkan culture alongside our four fantastic Czech participants! Our adventure began with travel days spent exploring Skopje, and a majestic evening in Budapest on our way to the project venue. We met the Turkish group en route and had our first warming-up activity that evening, which helped us get to know each other. Everyone we encountered was warm and welcoming.
The first evening at the project venue was magical; we were greeted by a stunning night sky full of stars above the mountains and a majestic herd of wild horses. The next day started with a pleasant surprise: we received refillable bottles and branded shoppers. We discussed our eco-habits and how our respective countries are addressing the looming environmental crisis.
For eight days, we connected with like-minded people from various countries. The project venue, nestled in the mountains, provided the perfect backdrop for our activities. We hiked through the wilderness, swam in hidden waterfalls, and enjoyed the lake during the summer heat. We also indulged in traditional Balkan food and experienced the local hospitality.
Our facilitators did an excellent job organizing the project and creating topic-related activities. One of my favorite sessions was the “treasure hunting” activity, where our task was to explore the local environment and conduct a cleanup. This session revealed who among the participants was ready to take action to preserve the mountains we all enjoyed and who was still hoping for the problem to solve itself. We had plenty of spare time to talk to each other and discover our hobbies.
A highlight of my experience was the surprise my team and the facilitators prepared for my birthday, which occurred during the project. I received the most original gift ever—a toy garbage truck, a fitting reminder of our environment-focused project.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to EYCB for their 24/7 support and for providing us with all the necessary information for the project. I am also grateful to our Czech team for their support during my ups and downs throughout the project. I am sure we will meet again soon, not just as team participants, but as friends. Additionally, I would like to thank Slavica and Branko for the amazing activities. I discovered many new things I hadn’t encountered in any other project before.
This experience was truly unforgettable, and I am eager to participate in more projects like this in the future.
Yuliia L.
