Project Overview
Project Reference: 2020-2-EE01-KA105-078027
Status: Completed
Duration: October 1, 2020 – August 31, 2023
EU Grant: €17,701
Programme: Erasmus+
Action Type: Youth Mobility
Countries Involved: Estonia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Greece, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Romania, Lithuania, Portugal
Background
Many young people are part of youth organisations but don’t feel confident enough to create their own projects. They often lack support, knowledge, or a clear plan. The Erasmus+ programme offers great opportunities, but it can be confusing or overwhelming for beginners. The Make It Happen project was created to help young leaders and volunteers take the first step towards building international youth exchanges by giving them the tools, skills, and confidence they need.
Objectives
This project aimed to empower young people to design and implement their own youth exchange projects. It focused on developing their understanding of Erasmus+, teamwork, and the impact of international cooperation. Participants explored project development, planning, and coordination in a hands-on environment. The goal was to build strong, motivated leaders who could return to their organisations and take action with their peers, while also raising the overall quality of youth work across the partner network.
Implementation
The main activity of the project was a training course for 27 young participants from 12 countries. These were active members of youth organisations who wanted to take more responsibility but lacked experience in project planning. The training was designed to guide them through every stage of developing a youth exchange—from the first idea to finding partners and writing the application. The learning process was based on practical tasks, group work, and real-life examples.
Key Activities
During the training, participants learned how to shape a project idea, create a timeline, define responsibilities, and manage key aspects like budgeting and logistics. They also explored how to make projects inclusive, meaningful, and impactful. Peer-to-peer learning, coaching sessions, and hands-on project labs helped them apply the knowledge directly. The training created a space where they could ask questions, share fears, and work on their ideas together with other motivated youth.
Results
The training empowered young people to start developing real project proposals. At least six youth exchange ideas were created during the course, showing that participants left the training ready to act. Each participant also returned home with new tools and a better understanding of international project work. Organisations gained more confident and skilled members who could take the lead in future Erasmus+ applications, boosting capacity and visibility.
Impact
The project had a strong impact on three levels: individual, organisational, and community. Young participants became more active and confident project leaders. Youth organisations strengthened their teams with trained members ready to design and manage exchanges. Local youth communities will benefit from new international projects initiated by these leaders. In the long term, the project helped build a network of cooperation and shared know-how among youth workers across Europe.