Avui us compartim el testimoni de l’Estel i la Jennifer, que van participar a la formació internacional “Design your youth exchange” a Alemanya, organitzada per l’entitat Satellites – Youth Mobility Projects.

Estel
From November 18 to 24, 2024, I had the chance to take part in a training course in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany, focused on how to create and manage Erasmus+ Youth Exchange projects. The course brought together youth workers from different countries, all with a shared goal: to understand the YE format in depth and gain the tools to bring their own project ideas to life.

The training was incredibly well organized, and the facilitators stood out for their experience and clarity; they had led numerous projects themselves, and it really showed. They made even the more technical aspects feel accessible, especially for those of us who were approaching YE for the first time. The welcoming atmosphere made a big difference: we were encouraged to ask questions, support each other, and share openly. Everyone helped one another, and by the end of the week, it truly felt like a small international community.

Day 1:

We arrived in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, guided smoothly by the clear welcome pack. In the afternoon, we held an informal Association Fair, where each participant briefly introduced their organization: a great way to break the ice and start building connections.

Day 2 

We started with the basics of Erasmus+ YE: who can participate, for how long, what topics are suitable, and the expected impact. The sessions combined theory with dynamic, hands-on exercises that made everything clear and engaging. In the afternoon, we explored the phases of a YE, and during the individual work session, we began shaping the first ideas for the project we wanted to design. The day ended with a group reflection.

Day 3

We continued developing our project ideas and focused on how to design a Youth Exchange that truly responds to the needs of the young people we work with. Through the 5W1H method and SMART goal setting, we learned how to shape clear, relevant and impactful objectives. The sessions were again a mix of practical tools and thoughtful reflection, helping us ensure our future projects would be both meaningful and beneficial.

Day 4 

We travelled to Leipzig, where we explored the quality standards that every Youth Exchange should meet: inclusion, participation, and learning outcomes. In the afternoon, we visited VILLA Leipzig, discovering their youth, led projects and multifunctional spaces. It was a powerful example of what committed local work can achieve. Afterwards, we had some free time to enjoy the city, relax, and connect informally with other participants.

Day 5

We rolled up our sleeves to work on the financial side of YE projects. The trainers explained how to build a solid budget and offered tips for securing extra funding. We also tackled potential challenges during the project, from group dynamics to logistics, and discussed smart ways to prevent or address them. That evening, we had dinner together before traveling to Wittenberg for the night.

Day 6

The last day we held the Group Assessment, where each participant briefly presented the Youth Exchange project they had been developing throughout the week. The presentations were informal and focused on sharing the general concept rather than detailed plans. It was a valuable moment to receive feedback and suggestions from the group and facilitators, helping us refine our ideas and see them from different perspectives.

It was also our last day together, and after the final reflections, we said our goodbyes, leaving with new knowledge, ideas, and connections that we’ll carry into future projects.

Jennifer

Dissenyant somnis compartits a Wittenberg: una experiència transformadora

Del 18 al 24 de novembre del 2024 vaig tenir la sort de participar al Training Course “Design your youth exchange”, una formació intensa i meravellosament organitzada a Wittenberg, Alemanya. Ho vaig fer com a tècnica de joventut d’un territori rural, amb aquella barreja d’il·lusió i incertesa amb què sovint afrontem les noves experiències. No tenia clar fins a quin punt aquella setmana donaria fruits reals, més enllà de la riquesa de compartir estones amb professionals d’arreu. Però el que vaig viure va superar totes les meves expectatives.

Ens vam aplegar unes setze persones, procedents d’onze països diferents: Alemanya, Espanya, Grècia, Itàlia, Romania, Islàndia, Estònia, Letònia, França, Finlàndia i Eslovènia. Un mosaic cultural preciós que, des del primer moment, es va convertir en una xarxa de confiança, creativitat i molt bon humor.

Les dinàmiques estaven dissenyades amb una cura extraordinària. Cada sessió tenia un propòsit clar i ens guiava, gairebé sense adonar-nos-en, cap a la construcció d’un projecte d’intercanvi juvenil. Vam començar amb dubtes i vam acabar amb estructures sòlides i idees tangibles. Aquell procés de passar del “no sé si en traurem res” al “ja ho tenim!” va ser un aprenentatge poderós. Vaig sentir com els engranatges del cervell i del cor es posaven en marxa alhora.

L’equip d’acollida —amb en Silvan, l’Ilias, la Pamela i la Vreni al capdavant— va ser senzillament excepcional. Professionals amb una passió contagiosa que van compartir amb generositat la seva experiència, les seves eines i també els seus dubtes i somriures. Ens van portar de la mà per un recorregut d’alta intensitat emocional i intel·lectual, on no van faltar els reptes ni les sorpreses. I entre dinàmiques, converses i riures, vam anar descobrint com els intercanvis juvenils poden esdevenir autèntics punts d’inflexió en la vida dels joves. I també en la nostra.

Aquella setmana vaig sentir en la meva pròpia pell allò que desitjo que els joves experimentin quan participen en un intercanvi: connexió, descobriment, transformació. Em vaig sentir inspirada, acompanyada, cuidada. Des dels detalls més petits fins a les estructures més complexes, tot respirava una creativitat i una vocació de servei admirable.

Torno a casa amb una motxilla plena de recursos, idees i sobretot ganes. Ganes de continuar treballant perquè més joves del meu territori visquin experiències tan intenses com la que jo he viscut. Em sento profundament agraïda i privilegiada per haver format part d’aquest viatge compartit. Perquè sí, allò que vam dissenyar no era només un intercanvi juvenil. Era un somni col·lectiu que ja ha començat a caminar.