Understanding Erasmus+ and How It Empowers Youth Across Borders

That question inspired Union de Citoyens Actifs (UCA) to host a one-day workshop called “Understanding Erasmus+ and How It Empowers Youth Across Borders.” The goal was to make the Erasmus+ programme clear, real, and reachable for everyone.

Young people gathered in UCA’s community space in Blanc-Mesnil. Some came with notebooks, some just with curiosity, but all shared one common wish: to learn how they could study, volunteer, and connect across Europe.

Instead of focusing only on slides or facts, the workshop used stories. Two alumni, Leona from France and Yusuf from Turkey, joined to talk about their experiences abroad, one through a youth exchange in Serbia, the other through a volunteer project in Portugal. Their stories made the idea of Erasmus+ come alive. Leona described the excitement of meeting people from eight countries and realizing how similar their dreams were. Yusuf shared how volunteering taught him not only new skills but also a new sense of independence.

After a short lunch break filled with laughter and informal conversations, participants split into small groups for a playful but educational challenge called the Erasmus+ Journey Map. Each group imagined their own international project: choosing a theme, a partner country, and the kind of impact they wanted to create. The results were creative and inspiring, from “Green Beats Europe,” a music project promoting sustainability, to “Digital Nomads for Change,” focusing on online activism and climate awareness.

In the afternoon, the atmosphere became more practical. The facilitator guided everyone through the steps of finding and applying for Erasmus+ opportunities: how to register on the European Youth Portal, how to write a strong motivation letter, and what to expect from a youth exchange or volunteering project. Laptops opened, questions flew, and several participants even bookmarked opportunities they wanted to apply for.

By the end of the workshop, almost every participant agreed that they had discovered something life-changing. Many said they had thought Erasmus+ was only for students or academics, not for ordinary young people. Now, they knew it was open to everyone.

The results were clear: participants left not just informed but empowered. They understood the purpose of Erasmus+, how to navigate opportunities, and why youth mobility matters in today’s Europe. More importantly, they left inspired to share this knowledge with others.

In feedback forms, participants described the day as “motivating,” “eye-opening,” and “practical.” 90% said they felt ready to apply for an Erasmus+ opportunity within the next year. UCA staff noticed how curiosity turned into confidence, especially during group work and personal reflections.

Interested in joining our next Erasmus+ info session or exchange activity?
Email us at uniondecitoyensactifs@gmail.com or follow UCA on Instagram and Facebook.