The project “Young Ambassadors for Non-Formal Participation and European Citizenship”, a Youth Participation Activity funded by the Erasmus+ programme, aims to place young people and their voices at the heart of planning and implementing positive social changes in their local communities. The idea was born from a proposal by former participants who wanted to promote non-formal education and Erasmus+ opportunities.
In June 2025, participants met at the EUtopia Foundation for a weekend dedicated to discussing the management of non-formal education workshops and ways to engage other young people.
Azzurra’s Testimony
From June 6th to 8th, about twenty of us gathered together in an old farmhouse isolated in the countryside. During this weekend, we had the chance to share our doubts and expectations about the youth exchange that would take place a few weeks later, both in Italy and in other, more distant countries. Besides that, the two days we spent together were a wonderful opportunity to get to know the people we would later travel with. Our adventure began at Milano Centrale on June 6th. After a few hours of travel, we arrived at the farmhouse just in time for dinner. That evening, we didn’t do any organized activities since it was quite late, but after dinner we spontaneously decided to play some games together and explore the place.
The second day was the most intense — full of fun and engaging activities. The morning started with icebreakers to learn everyone’s names and hobbies, helping us to finally break the ice completely. One of the activities I enjoyed the most was a competition with a simple goal: to build a shield made of natural materials strong enough to protect an egg from a four-meter fall. The natural elements had to be found around the farmhouse, and the winning group was the one whose egg remained the most intact.
Later, we did a paired activity that I really liked because it developed a one-to-one connection: we asked each other personal questions and opened up sincere conversations, discovering sides of one another that rarely emerge in a group setting. In the afternoon, we moved to the kitchen. Split into teams, one group made handmade gnocchi, while the other prepared tiramisù. This activity allowed us to collaborate, bond, and then enjoy two delicious dishes together that evening. Even though it wasn’t planned, that night we ended up having an impromptu karaoke session, followed by a hide-and-seek game in pairs all around the farmhouse.
The day of departure was instead dedicated to activities directly connected to the upcoming youth exchange. Divided into groups, we discussed topics such as how to prepare for departure, how to behave, and what to expect. We also shared our fears and doubts, finding answers thanks to the members of Joint and to participants who had already taken part in several exchanges. These are just some of the activities that made this experience so special. Overall, it was a weekend that not only provided us with clear and useful information for our upcoming exchange, but also managed — in just two days — to turn strangers into friends. Many of us have kept in touch since then, cherishing the memories of those days together. I believe that taking part in a pre-departure meeting for exchanges is an opportunity not to be missed, as it gives you both valuable information and unforgettable memories.
