Voices Not Echoes 2
The Youth Mobility programme “Voices, Not Echoes — Are You Ready for Your Voice to Be Heard?” is implemented in Manerba del Garda by the Italian organization Associazione Arte e Cultura Sociale – ARCUS, in collaboration with partner organizations from Poland, Serbia, Germany and Greece, the latter represented by the organization Innovative Actions in Education, Tourism, Health and Interculturalism (KDETYD). The programme takes place within the framework of Erasmus+ Youth Mobility and is co-funded by the European Union.
In the enchanting town of Manerba del Garda, 30 young people from five European countries — Poland, Serbia, Italy, Greece and Germany — had the opportunity to explore themes such as democracy, inclusion, civic participation and the power of one’s personal voice.
The first days of the programme were dedicated to familiarizing participants with the environment, the team and the key objectives of the mobility. After their arrival and accommodation, ice-breaking activities and team-building games were held, helping the young participants get to know each other, feel comfortable and build relationships of trust.
This was followed by a presentation of the programme, its themes and its non-formal learning methodology. During the workshops, participants discussed youth participation, volunteering and the importance of personal expression within a healthy democratic framework, creating from the very first days an atmosphere of open dialogue and cooperation.
A highlight of the first days was the Greek Culture Night, prepared by the members of KDETYD. Participants from the other countries had the chance to learn traditional Greek dances and taste authentic Greek flavours. At the same time, two short videos were shown: the first presented “5 things young people from Europe should remember about Greece”, while the second highlighted the hometown of the Greek group, Drama, showcasing elements of its local history and culture. The evening left a lasting impression and strengthened intercultural dialogue.
The following days were dedicated to youth democracy and the power of creative expression. Podcast workshops were held, where participants discovered ways in which young people can contribute to democratic processes through storytelling, dialogue and digital content creation. Afterwards, they explored the area and collected short stories from everyday life in the town, which they transformed into a collective online magazine combining photographs, personal testimonies and creative writing.
The culture nights presented by each participating country were also a key part of the programme, offering traditions, foods and music that created a lively environment for exchange and intercultural understanding. Throughout the mobility, it became clear that active youth participation can take many forms — from content creation to intercultural collaboration — empowering their voices and promoting the values of democracy and engagement.
The programme “Voices, Not Echoes” also included a hike to Rocca di Manerba, which offered breathtaking views of Lake Garda and pleasant trails of varying difficulty levels. As a protected natural park with significant historical ruins, the area served as an ideal setting for participants to connect with nature and the region’s cultural heritage.
The excursion to Salo was another memorable experience. There, the young participants took part in outdoor activities and collected material that was later integrated into the digital magazine they created during the programme.
In parallel, non-formal learning workshops offered participants the chance to share experiences, develop communication and teamwork skills, and gain deeper understanding of issues that concern young people today. These activities created a safe environment for exchange and significantly strengthened team spirit.
On the final day, the Greek group presented traditional activation games, creating a joyful and dynamic atmosphere. This was followed by the participants’ final evaluation, and the programme concluded with the awarding of the Youthpass certificates, along with the shared promise that the collaboration and friendships built during the project will continue in future Erasmus+ mobilities.