ERASMUS+, Key action 1: training course
Dates: 15—23 August 2025
Venue: Tryavna, Bulgaria
Czech team: 1 participant – youth worker
Please read the info-pack.
Hosting organisation: The Change Is in You
Project report:
They say that the best stories start with the biggest flop. And it didn’t look great at first. The bus that was provided to take us to the venue had technical problems, so we were told to buy tickets for local buses. However, they were sold out due to the tourist season and there was no choice but to take the train. Many of you may know from hearsay that trains, especially in Bulgaria, are really not worth even mentioning and you’d better avoid them as much as possible. And so we ended up on a train in Sofia, which looked like it was after a newborn apocalypse.
However, despite the long journey in the early morning hours, we arrived at the accommodation safely and were welcomed by other participants with warm hugs. The next day, the program was adjusted so that we, who arrived at the accommodation last, could recharge our batteries. On the first day, we were introduced to the rules and formalities, and then the real fun began. Ice-breaking games, the main goal of which is to bring the participants together, were various and dynamic at the same time. In the evening we went to explore Tryavna, a town that was 3 kilometers away on foot, but our hotel still belonged to the territory of this municipality. Tryavna is a picturesque town that is famous for traditional woodworking and carpentry, there are many exhibits in the local museums, of which there are also countless. We diversified the evening walk by supporting local businesses and buying Bulgarian sweets.
During the week, we were introduced to the topic of healthy eating and sustainability. Nutritionist and physiotherapist Kiko introduced us to healthy weight loss methods, explained how nutritional values are calculated and how muscle mass is formed, and showed us athletic training for his clients, which we then tried out. The program also included cooking in groups. Each team was responsible for one meal of the day, so if we didn’t take it responsibly, we would have gone hungry. Personally, I enjoyed this part of the workshop the most – not only did relationships between team members deepen, but it also showed who could boss what, who had the burden of cooking edible food, and who kept the team together. Many times, the meal was on the table late at night, but still – the joy of achieving a goal was priceless.
There was also a swimming pool in the accommodation, and it was a great refreshment on hot days. One lesson from Kiko on how swimming helps to relax was also held here. Another time we went to the mountains and were rewarded with an amazing view of the surrounding meadows and villages.
On the day of departure, the group and I explored Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, since we had quite a long way to go before our flights, so we made it more enjoyable by visiting cathedrals and temples that were filled with the Orthodox holy spirit, because Bulgaria was strongly influenced by Russia in the past, which is why many of the residents also speak Russian and prefer it to English. Yes, sometimes communicating what you really want was challenging, but as a Slavic language, which Bulgarian is, I understood it without any major problems. Therefore, we helped the participants from Western Europe with translation – and that’s what it’s all about! People should help each other.
I take away enriching experiences from the project not only in terms of healthy nutrition and sports, but also for good interpersonal relationships and how to act in difficult situations, how to cope with the loss of a loved one or how to keep fighting and not give up on fulfilling your dreams. From our surroundings we are learnt a lot, it’s just up to us, how we will deal with gained knowledge, not in vain they say that five closest people in your life are creating you and if you imagine that week is all your lifetime and those people are your closest (because they really are:)!), you will accept their habits and behaviours. It’s human. And it’s worth it. Take your chance – change is in you!<3
Thank you so much for the opportunity to explore, create and improve. My inner self and surroundings. Believe that you will achieve whatever you ever wish, because you are strong enough to overcome all obstacles which could possibly appear.
Paw and kiss,
Klára S.
