From 1st to 7th June 2026, three youth workers, sent by CEGE Association, participated in the Erasmus+ training course “Make It Matter: Power of Youth in Action”, held in Suchá nad Parnou, near Trnava, Slovakia. The project brought together youth workers, trainers, and educators from Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland, Czechia, Latvia, Greece, and Romania with a shared goal – strengthening youth participation in democratic life and empowering young people to become active citizens.

About the project

The training course focused on modern and inclusive approaches to democratic participation, active citizenship, European identity, and youth engagement. Through non-formal education methods, participants explored how young people can become more involved in decision-making processes and how youth workers can support meaningful participation at local, national, and European levels.

The programme included experiential workshops, simulations, debates, group work, study visits, and practical sessions dedicated to topics such as participatory budgeting, youth councils, European values, the European Solidarity Corps, and strategies for engaging marginalized and underrepresented young people.

The experience

Beyond the educational activities, the project created a vibrant international environment where participants exchanged ideas, shared good practices, and built lasting friendships. The accommodation by the reservoir in Suchá nad Parnou offered a peaceful setting for reflection, learning, and intercultural dialogue.

The week was filled with energizers, team-building activities, intercultural evenings, collaborative group work, and meaningful discussions about the challenges young people face when engaging in democratic processes. Participants also had the opportunity to visit Trnava, explore Slovak culture, and work together on practical solutions aimed at increasing youth participation in their communities.

Our participants shared their impressions:

Vasil: “There were lots of amazing unforgettable moments. We jumped into a lake, had fun every night, had thoughtful and meaningful conversations, and created a friendship that I know will last forever.”

Enitsa: “The organization from both CEGE and European Dialogue was wonderful. The venue, the food and the transport were really great. I had a wonderful experience and I will remember this project for a very long time. I loved the cultural nights, the karaoke evenings, the board games, and the bonfire during the last night. The group dynamic was amazing, and I learned something valuable from every participant. The final project was a pleasure to work on, especially filming a promotional video for the dissemination of youth activities.”

Why it matters

For CEGE Association, participation in “Make It Matter” was an important opportunity to strengthen the competences of youth workers and gain new tools for promoting active citizenship and democratic participation among young people. The project demonstrated that meaningful engagement happens when young people are given the space, knowledge, and confidence to contribute to their communities.

By bringing together participants from different countries and backgrounds, the training fostered intercultural understanding, cooperation, and the exchange of innovative practices that can be transferred into future youth initiatives. The experience will continue to inspire participants to support young people in becoming informed, active, and responsible citizens.

We are grateful to the hosting organization European Dialogue and to the Erasmus+ Programme for making this valuable learning experience possible.

Stay tuned for more stories from our international projects and discover how Erasmus+ opportunities help young people and youth workers create positive change in their communities.