Erasmus+, Key action 1: youth exchange
Dates: 26 March—1 April 2026
Venue: Figueira da Foz, Portugal
Czech team: 4 participants + 1 group leader
Please read the info-pack.
Hosting organisation: Bonae Spei – Associação Cultural
Project report:
We arrived in Figueira da Foz with a simple question in mind, what actually happens after the storm? What we found there was much more than we expected. A group of young people from different countries, a place shaped by recent events in nature and a week full of experiences that quickly turned this project into something more than just another Erasmus+ exchange.
Shortly before our arrival, a strong storm hit the area and caused visible damage to local forests and nature. During the project, we had the chance to visit these places and also take part in cleaning some of them. Seeing the impact with our own eyes made the whole topic of climate change much more real for all of us, because it was no longer just something we discussed, but something we actually experienced.
Thanks to the good preparation and organisation of the team, especially Fernando, Miguel, ESC volunteers Eva and Matilda from Italy and Germany, together with the local community organisation GIS with more than 100 years of history, everything went smoothly and we quickly became a strong and connected group. Through different activities and group work, we got to know each other better and learned how to cooperate despite our different backgrounds. We focused mainly on environmental issues and sustainability, sharing how these topics look in our countries and trying to find practical solutions that could be applied in everyday life.
At the same time, the project was not only about learning, but also about experiencing the local culture and building real connections. One evening, we had the opportunity to take part in a traditional Portuguese dinner combined with a live Fado concert, which gave us a deeper insight into the local culture and atmosphere. The evenings were often spent together in a very natural way, playing games, talking, singing and even playing guitar on the beach. These moments helped create strong friendships that go beyond the duration of the project.
During the programme, we also worked in smaller groups on creating our own environmental campaigns. This helped us not only understand the topics better, but also think about how to communicate them and bring them back to our communities. Presenting our ideas also gave us a chance to improve our English and feel more confident expressing ourselves.
Considering it all in all, this project was very inspiring for all of us. It showed us that even small actions can make a difference and that being active is something accessible to everyone. We leave with new experiences, new friendships and especially with motivation to start doing something, even on a small scale, and to contribute to positive change in our own communities.
To sum it up, projects like this show how important cooperation between countries is and how much young people can learn from each other. Thank you to everyone who made this experience possible!
Adam W.
