DAY 9 #EmployAbility 11th of June 2025

Today was all about reflection, sharing, and bringing our youth exchange journey to a meaningful close.

We began the morning with each national team presenting their plans for taking what they’ve learned back to their communities. These included both online and offline dissemination activities, aimed at spreading the impact of the project beyond just those who were here. To support us, the facilitators shared a helpful document to guide our dissemination planning, making sure our efforts are thoughtful and well-structured.

After lunch, we moved into our final evaluation session. We kicked it off with the “Pizza” activity, a simple yet insightful method where a flipchart represented a pizza, and we used colored markers to rate different "slices" such as the activities, logistics, our personal contributions, and how connected we felt within the group. It was a creative way to gather honest feedback and see how everyone experienced the exchange.

Next came a powerful moment of reflection with the “Backpack” activity. The facilitators returned the papers we had written on the first day, where we noted our fears, expectations, and planned contributions, along with our thoughts from the midterm evaluation. Reading them again brought a sense of growth. Some fears had faded, many expectations had been met, some even exceeded, and it was clear that we had all contributed to something meaningful, especially through our involvement in the Hackathon.

After a final coffee break, we gathered for a discussion on Youthpass. The facilitators revisited the 8 key competences and reminded us how to reflect on and articulate the learning we’ve done during this experience.

And then came one of the most heartfelt parts of the day: we received small pieces of paper and took time to write messages to one another, kind words, memories, and personal notes. These little gestures created a warm and emotional atmosphere, filled with appreciation and connection.

It’s never easy to say goodbye, but there’s comfort in knowing that this youth exchange doesn’t truly end here. We all carry a piece of it with us, both in our backpacks and in the work we’ll continue to do in our communities.

DAY 8 #EmployAbility 10th of June 2025

Today we took another big step forward in our Erasmus+ Hackathon journey, diving deeper into our projects and working together in mixed teams. The morning was filled with focus and determination as each group continued developing their ideas and testing their prototypes. This stage helped us clearly see both the strengths of our concepts and the areas that still needed improvement.

After refining our work, it was time to share it. Each group presented their outcomes to the rest of the participants, giving everyone the chance to see the diverse range of ideas that had come to life during the Hackathon. It was exciting and rewarding to showcase our progress, get feedback, and recognize the creativity and effort within every team. This collaborative space gave us the motivation to keep going and the insight to improve.

We then moved into a reflection session, where we paused to look back on our learning journey so far. Following that, team leaders gathered for a dedicated meeting to evaluate the process and align on the next steps.

The day wrapped up on a festive note with the Turkish and Czech Intercultural Night. Through traditional music, dances, fun presentations, and delicious food, we explored the richness of both cultures in a warm and joyful atmosphere. It was a fantastic reminder of the beauty of diversity and the power of cultural exchange.

Overall, it was a day full of creativity, collaboration, and connection, one that brought us closer to our goals and to each other.

DAY 7 #EmployAbility 9th of June 2025

Today marked a true turning point in our Erasmus+ journey as we officially kicked off the NextGen Hackathon, a dynamic space where innovation, collaboration, and future-oriented thinking came together in full force.

The day began with “The Incubator” session, where we were introduced to various challenge areas and encouraged to transform raw ideas into the seeds of meaningful solutions. It was a space buzzing with curiosity and ambition, as each group started brainstorming around real-world issues they felt passionate about.

After a quick break, we moved into the Problem Tree session, a powerful method that helped us dig deeper into the issues we’d chosen. By identifying root causes and mapping out consequences, we were able to sharpen our understanding of the problems and gain clarity on how our solutions could truly make a difference.

The energy in the room was contagious. Teams were deep in conversation, sketching ideas, building frameworks, and challenging each other to think beyond the obvious. After lunch (and a well-deserved siesta), we shifted into Prototyping Mode, bringing our ideas to life. Whether through hand-drawn visuals, digital tools, or creative mockups, this session turned abstract concepts into tangible plans. It was exciting to see each team’s vision begin to take shape in real time.

As the day drew to a close, we gathered for the “Wow, I got that!” session,  a moment to celebrate everything we’d learned so far. It was incredible to reflect on how far we had come in just one day: from scattered thoughts to structured ideas, from uncertainty to action. We ended with our Daily Reflection, sharing not only what we achieved, but how it felt. The most common words? Empowered. Inspired. Ready.

NextGen Hackathon has officially begun, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.

In the end, we had also leaders meeting to gather the feedback from the participants.

DAY 6 #EmployAbility 8th of June 2025

Today was a truly enriching experience that blended personal development, practical skills, and cultural exchange.

We kicked off the morning by watching the video CVs created by other participants. This wasn’t just about seeing how others introduced themselves, it was a chance to observe the different ways people deal with the challenges, fears, and uncertainties that come with job applications. It was fascinating to see how elements like personal background, confidence, and even cultural influences shaped the way each person presented themselves on camera. Some were bold and energetic, others more reserved and reflective, but each story brought something valuable to the table.

In the afternoon, we stepped into the shoes of job seekers during a role-play job interview session. This practical activity allowed us to rehearse common interview questions, polish our communication skills, and get real-time feedback from both our peers and facilitators. It wasn’t just about improving our answers, it was about learning how to present ourselves with confidence and clarity, and understanding what employers might be looking for. Many of us left the room with a better sense of how to make a solid first impression in a professional setting.

The activities ended with reflection time and leaders meeting, of course.

The day ended on a high note with a vibrant Romanian and Polish cultural night. The room came alive with traditional music, dancing, and engaging presentations that gave us a taste of each country’s rich heritage. Of course, no cultural celebration would be complete without food, so we also enjoyed sampling delicious traditional dishes from both countries. The atmosphere was warm, joyful, and full of laughter, bringing everyone a little closer together.

From building job-readiness skills to celebrating cultural diversity, today reminded us how powerful learning can be when it’s hands-on, collaborative, and shared with people from different walks of life.

DAY 5 #EmployAbility 7th of June 2025

Study Visit day was a bit different than the rest of days as we didn’t had any activities at the location but we went to explore and discover the local area with it’s cultural and natural attractions.

We kicked off the day early in the morning leaving the accommodation at 08:00 am for a 1 h 30 minutes bus ride to the Moldovița community where the surprize of “ Mocănița “was waiting for us.

Built in 1888 (or early 1900s) under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the narrow-gauge railway in Moldovița was part of a larger network built to transport timber from the Carpathian Mountains.

The industrial line was closed in 2001, after over a century of operation. In 2005, the line was partially restored and re-opened as a tourist attraction by a private foundation in partnership with railway enthusiasts.

The train now runs between Moldovița and Argel, covering a scenic 12 km stretch offering scenic rides through the Bucovina mountains.

At the end of the ride the participants were able to enjoy the local cuisine and observe some hand crafted artefacts that represents the local traditions.

After the Mocănița ride the next destination was a short walk in the natural park of “Tinovul Poiana Stampei“.

This is a protected botanical reserve of national interest in Romania that features oligotrophic peatland (nutrient-poor, acidic conditions), which supports a unique ecosystem.

The participants enjoyed a wooden boardwalk trail of 1 km in the national park being able to experience the natural environment and observe it’s attractions.

Last visit of the day was the city of Vatra Dornei, city of our project accommodation.

Culture in the city it’s strong and vibrant because the locals preserve traditional Romanian and Huțul clothing with intricate embroidery, especially during festivals. Wood carving and ceramic pottery are long-standing crafts, passed down through generations.

Vatra Dornei is seen as a cultural bridge between Moldova and Transylvania, preserving diverse Romanian and mountain traditions.

The area also has Austro-Hungarian influences (due to imperial rule), reflected in architecture and spa culture.

Participants explored the city center in short walk to discover it’s unique architectural sights.

This was the last part of the study visit and after that the group returned to the accommodation for reflection and leaders meeting.

DAY 4 #EmpyAbility 6th of June 2025

Our fourth day began on a high note with a lively energizer game. We stood in a circle and passed a pillow around as quickly as possible, laughing and cheering each other on. It was a great way to get our bodies moving and boost our group energy and teamwork.

The main focus of the morning was the session “Culture of Work.” This engaging session consisted of four rotating stations, each exploring important topics such as inclusion, equal opportunities, and diversity in the workplace. Through group discussions and interactive tasks, we reflected on how different social, cultural, or economic backgrounds can impact access to employment. Each station brought up real-life challenges and encouraged us to think about how we, as young people, can contribute to creating fairer and more inclusive work environments.

In the next part of the day, we turned our focus inward with a personal development session. We each worked on our own SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), which helped us better understand where we are now in our career and personal journeys. This was followed by creating our skill maps, visual representations of our current skills and the areas we aim to grow in. These exercises gave us clarity and direction as we thought about our future career paths.

With our self-reflection work complete, we began preparing for a very practical task,  recording our video CVs. We brainstormed what to say, how to present ourselves confidently on camera, and what skills or experiences we wanted to highlight. It was a great opportunity to combine creativity with self-awareness and communication skills.

Before dinner, we received our study visit kits, which included cool project T-shirts and handy lunch packs for the next day. In the evening, team leaders gathered for a feedback meeting to discuss the day’s outcomes and logistics for the upcoming sessions.

The day ended on a relaxing and cozy note. Some of us picked up the guitar and played music, while others enjoyed board games and casual chats. It was the perfect way to wind down and connect after another full, productive day.

DAY 3 #EmployAbility 5th of June 2025

We kicked off the day with an energizer game led by the Czech team, setting a collaborative and energetic tone that carried through all our activities. It was the perfect way to get us moving and focused before diving into deeper discussions.

The main focus of the day was youth employment. We worked in national teams to prepare and deliver presentations on the current state of youth employability in our countries. Each team highlighted key challenges faced by young people in entering the job market, from lack of experience and digital skills to economic instability and limited career guidance. We also explored national initiatives and programs designed to combat youth unemployment, such as entrepreneurship support, vocational training, and youth employment strategies. The Q&A sessions after each presentation sparked great interest, leading to thoughtful exchanges of ideas and experiences.

In the afternoon, we came together as a full group to identify both the unique aspects of each country’s approach and the common strategies used across nations. This collaborative reflection helped us better understand how youth employment is tackled from different perspectives and what we can learn from each other. The day concluded with a reflection session to process our learning, a leaders' meeting to review the progress, and a relaxed social evening where participants connected through music, games, and storytelling, strengthening the bonds within our international group.

DAY 2 #EmployAbility - 04th June 2025

Today we started off with a fun energizer called “What If”. We stood outside in a circle and took turns saying random what if scenarios, like what if we were playing basketball or what if we were swimming. It definitely woke us up and got us laughing early in the day.

Then we jumped into a big challenge called NextGen: Mission Impossible. First, we split into two teams, picked our leaders, and each got an envelope with secret instructions. We had to search the garden for another envelope with three tasks to complete. Once both teams were done, we came together as one big group—but not before guessing a secret password. Our new mission? Find objects starting with every letter of the alphabet, take a group photo, and look for five strange objects people brought with them to the project. It was intense but super fun!

In the afternoon, we had an interactive session about Erasmus+. We talked about what Eramus+ youth exchanges and training courses are all about, and learned more about the Youthpass certificate. Everyone wrote down questions, and some brave volunteers stepped up to answer them. It turned into a really nice open discussion.

After that, we split into eight teams for Youthpass Theatre Scene. Each group got one of the Youthpass key competences and had to create a short theatre scene to represent it. The other teams had to guess what it was. Some scenes were hilarious, and it was a creative way to understand the competences better.

My NGO fair we presented our sending organization.

In the evening we had “Wow, I Got That!”, a reflection activity where we shared what we learned throughout the day, how we felt during each activity, and what we personally took away from the experience. It was a nice and creative way to wrap everything up.

Right after that, we met in our national groups for a Team Leaders meeting. We checked in with each other, talked about how we felt during the day, what we enjoyed most, and if there was anything we’d like to improve. It was a good space for honest sharing and feedback.

We finished the day with a cultural night hosted by Bulgaria, Greece and Italy. They showed us parts of their culture and history, taught us traditional dances, and tested our knowledge with a fun Kahoot quiz. Best part? They also shared with us snacks and sweet from their countries!

DAY 1 #EmplyAbility - 03rd of June 2025

The day began with a beautiful surprise: the breathtaking mountain landscape surrounding our venue. Energized by the fresh air and a delicious breakfast, we gathered for our first session.

We had a nice welcoming kit from Initiative Sociale.

We kicked off our first energiser – “Follow the Leader” to get our bodies moving and spirits lifted. With energy flowing, our facilitators introduced themselves, feeling very comfortable because of their good vibe and presented the main objectives of the project, helping us understand the journey we’re about to embark on.

To break the ice, we played a light-hearted "Fun Facts" game, where each participant picked a random number of slips of paper and shared the same number of fun facts about themselves. Laughter and curiosity set the tone for the rest of the day.

To help us connect on a deeper level, we took part in a series of interactive games: Toilet Paper Game – Participants took as many pieces as they wanted, and for each one, they had to share something about themselves.

Clock Dating – A speed-meeting activity where we had short “appointments” with each other to discover fun facts.

Name & Fun Story – A creative way to remember names through personal anecdotes.

Name & Favorite Animal/ Food/ Color – To learn more about each other's preferences and personalities.

After coffee break we started the session, A different kind of icebreaker game: Personal Coat of Arms.

We explored identity and storytelling through the “Coat of Arms” activity. Each participant created a visual representation of their personal and national identity. Through this, we discovered meaningful stories, shared values, and surprising similarities between us.

After lunch, we reflected on our:

✨ Expectations

😨 Fears

🤝 Contributions

This was done through the interactive “Backpack” session, where we symbolically “packed” everything we are bringing into the project: emotionally and mentally.

After this, we created our GROUP CONTRACT.

We closed the day with the “Wow, I Got That!” summary activity, where we reflected on what we learned during the day. This was followed by our Daily Reflection session, offering a moment of pause and self-awareness.

In the end we had also the leaders meeting to discuss the feedback of the day.

 

In the evening, we had informal social time. Some participants played the guitar, others joined in conversations about our backgrounds, cultures, and hometowns. It was a beautiful start to building a strong, cohesive group: one laugh and story at a time.

Erasmus+ Project "NextGen: EmployAbility" – Young people from across Europe gather in Vatra Dornei to boost their job skills

The “Inițiative Sociale” Association announces the launch of the international mobility activity within the Erasmus+ project “NextGen: EmployAbility”, a youth exchange that will take place from June 3 to June 11 (activity days), 2025, in Argestru, Vatra Dornei, Romania.

The project brings together 52 participants and 2 facilitators from 7 European countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Romania, Poland, and Turkey), under the coordination of Inițiative Sociale. For 9 days, young people will work and learn together to improve the key skills they need to find and keep a job.

The main aim of the project is to help young people develop essential employability skills, promote inclusion and intercultural dialogue, and support their professional growth. Participants will take part in activities focused on communication, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability.

The activity key objectives:

O1. To reflect and exchange opinions about youth (un)employment in different European countries by creating suitable enviroment for participants to discuss and share insights on the trends, factors influencing (un)employment among young people in various European countries, during the mobility perioad.

O2. To support inclusion and equal access to information by promoting diversity, social inclusion and equal access to opportunities while tackling employment barriers such as discrimination, lack of skills and limited access to information, during the activities. 

O3. To bridge the employment gap through innovation by encouraging 45 youngsters and 7 team leaders to develop sustainable solutions for employment challenges by using 4 C's: communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creative thinking, throughout activities.

O4. To expand the network of partners at regional, national and European levels and strengthen operational and management capacity, by facilitating the exchange of good practices between partner organizations throughout the project. 

The project will use non-formal education methods, both indoors and outdoors, creating a friendly and inclusive environment. The program includes icebreakers, team-building games, interactive workshops, cultural visits, intercultural evenings, debates, reflection sessions, and evaluations.

At the end of the exchange, participants will receive a Youthpass certificate, which recognizes the competencies they developed and supports their personal and professional growth.

Through this project, we aim to empower young people to become more confident, active, and better prepared for professional challenges, while also contributing to a more inclusive and united Europe.