Project Information
Project Reference: 2024-3-BE04-KA152-YOU-000282210
Status: Completed
Duration: January 2025 – December 2025
EU Grant: €42,427
Programme: Erasmus+
Action Type: Mobility of Young People
Countries Involved: Belgium, Hungary, France, Georgia
Project Background
The Zen Zone project was created to support young people in dealing with stress, anxiety and anger in everyday life. Many participants had experienced emotional pressure caused by social, economic or personal challenges. The project aimed to provide a safe intercultural space where young people could better understand their emotions and learn practical ways to improve their mental well-being.
The exchange brought together participants from Belgium, Georgia, France and Hungary. Most young people came from rural areas or disadvantaged backgrounds, including low-income families, ethnic minorities and young people with limited access to international opportunities.
Main Objectives
The project focused on emotional awareness, personal development and intercultural learning. One of the main goals was to help participants recognise the causes of stress and anxiety in different cultural environments. Young people also explored how social and economic situations can affect emotional well-being.
Another important objective was to teach practical emotional regulation techniques. Through workshops and peer learning, participants practiced mindfulness, relaxation methods and communication skills. The project also aimed to create lasting friendships and encourage future cooperation between partner organisations.
Project Implementation
The youth exchange involved 26 participants, four youth leaders, two accompanying persons and one facilitator. Activities were based on non-formal education methods and interactive learning. Participants joined peer-to-peer sessions, mindfulness workshops, role-playing activities and creative group exercises.
Nature-based learning also played an important role in the project. Outdoor workshops, hiking activities and mindfulness exercises helped participants relax and connect with others. Creative workshops allowed young people to express emotions through art, storytelling and theatre-based methods.
Inclusion and Diversity
The project strongly supported inclusion and equal participation. Participants came from different social and cultural backgrounds and many faced fewer opportunities in daily life. Young people from remote rural regions, migrant backgrounds and low-income families were actively involved in all activities.
This diversity created an open and supportive environment where participants could share experiences and learn from one another. The project encouraged respect, empathy and intercultural understanding throughout the exchange.
Key Results and Achievements
The project had a positive impact on participants’ confidence and emotional well-being. Many young people reported feeling calmer, more self-aware and better prepared to manage anxiety and stress after the exchange. Participants also developed stronger communication and teamwork skills.
One of the main results of the project was the creation of the “Pocket Sunshine” emotional wellness cards. These cards were designed by participants as a simple toolkit with practical emotional support techniques. The project also produced a Zen Zone Cookbook focused on mindful eating and cultural diversity, as well as a collection of personal stories about emotional growth.
Visibility and Community Impact
The visibility of the project was very strong thanks to social media campaigns and creative dissemination activities. Participants created short videos, testimonials and online posts to share the project’s message about mental health, mindfulness and intercultural friendship.
After returning home, participants organised local workshops and online activities to share their experiences with peers and communities. These follow-up actions helped spread awareness about emotional well-being and youth participation.
Long-Term Impact
The Zen Zone project created strong international partnerships and inspired future cooperation between organisations. A new follow-up youth exchange focused on emotional awareness and mental well-being is already being prepared for 2026.
The project showed that Erasmus+ youth exchanges can support both personal development and intercultural dialogue. By helping young people build emotional resilience and self-confidence, Zen Zone encouraged participants to become active ambassadors of mental health and positive social change in their communities.
