Small Communitites, Great Innovators — Romania

In mid-February 2025, 44 young people from 8 different countries met in Sarata Monteoru and Buzău, Romania, under the ERASMUS+ program. We came together to learn how to help our communities through social entrepreneurship.

 

When we arrived in Sarata Monteoru, we felt welcomed by the small town’s warm charm. In an activity hall, we introduced ourselves. One person shared a personal story about their hometown, showing us how hard life can be but also how small acts of kindness make a big difference. That story inspired us and set our goal: to help unemployed youth find new ways to improve their communities.

 

During the days, we joined fun and interactive workshops. We played games, did some role plays, and took part in group discussions. These activities helped us think of creative ways to start social projects that can solve local problems. Everyone’s ideas mattered, and we learned how to work together despite many differences.

 

Evenings were full of intercultural fun. We shared meals, danced to traditional songs, and even taught each other dances from our own cultures. These moments made us feel like one big family and helped us understand each other better.

 

Later, when we moved to Buzău, we focused on turning our ideas into real plans. With the beautiful UNESCO geopark as our backdrop, we finalized our social business plans. What began as a simple idea grew into a clear plan for making a change.

 

Small Communities, Great Innovators was more than just a project – it was a journey. We learned that even small ideas can create big changes. We made new friends, discovered new skills, and left with the belief that we can all help make our communities better.

 

Matěj H.