March 15, 2026
Many young people, when thinking about their future, face the same challenge: how to choose a direction in a world full of opportunities but often lacking clarity.
A European opportunity for young people to learn and share
Although schools and universities frequently discuss professions, skills, and the labor market, there is still too little space for deeper self-exploration—one’s interests, inner motivation, fears, and dreams. It was precisely this need that inspired the Erasmus+ youth exchange project “From passion to profession,” which brought together young people from different countries in Kaunas from 6 to 17 November 2025. The project was organised by the association Go Forward LT.
The Youth Exchange was designed for young people seeking to better understand themselves and explore how their passions can be transformed into real professional opportunities. The international exchange brought together participants from various European countries—Lithuania, Poland, Greece, Italy, and Romania—as well as young people with fewer opportunities due to economic, social, cultural, or geographical challenges. This diversity of participants became not only one of the project’s greatest strengths, but also an essential part of the learning process, allowing young people to learn from one another, share experiences, and broaden their perspectives.
What the youth exchange programme looks like
The first days of the “From passion to profession” exchange focused on creating a safe and supportive environment. Through introductory and team-building activities, participants built connections, strengthened mutual trust, and were encouraged to communicate openly. Non-formal activities, games, and reflections helped young people acquire deeper self-awareness, discover their strengths, and understand their reactions to challenges. This was followed by intensive self-exploration workshops in which participants analyzed their interests, values, and sources of meaning. They came to realize that passion does not always lie in a single hobby, but can also be found in the ability to create, help others, or solve problems. Through individual and group activities, participants learned to set goals and link them to realistic career opportunities.
A significant part of the exchange was dedicated to developing practical skills, including the basics of entrepreneurship, idea development, and assessing the value and feasibility of an idea. Working in groups, participants created plans for their own ideas, discussed target audiences and potential challenges, and learned how to present themselves and their ideas in the digital space. An important highlight of the exchange was a visit to Techpark, which offered participants insight into a real-life environment of innovation and start-ups. They explored creative workspaces and learned about different business models, innovative solutions, and career paths. This visit helped participants understand that the journey from an idea to a profession is rarely linear, but it is possible with the courage to try, make mistakes, and learn.
Throughout the exchange, strong emphasis was placed on participants’ emotional well-being. A professional psychologist worked with the group, offering individual consultations and providing a safe space to talk about personal challenges, anxiety about the future, or lack of self-confidence. This support contributed to emotional safety and improved overall well-being. Evening and intercultural activities also played a key role, during which participants from different countries presented their cultures, traditions, and creative expressions. These activities fostered openness, strengthened interpersonal bonds, and helped build long-term friendships.
In the final days, participants reflected on their personal growth, discussed the experiences they had gained, and explored how to apply them within their communities. The exchange concluded with presentations of the business ideas developed by the participants, which were evaluated by specialists with experience in entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
The Youth Exchange project “From passion to profession” demonstrated that a professional path does not begin with a specific job position, but with self-knowledge and the courage to explore. The exchange provided young people not only with knowledge, but also with confidence, motivation, and a clearer belief that their passions can become a meaningful and sustainable profession.
Written by “Go Forward LT team”
The project was funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme.