Europe Express

The project participants are 18-year-old people who will travel by train around Europe towards Madrid. A total of 30 people and 10 team leaders will take part in this project. Young people will travel in 4-person teams, creating amazing streams from their journey that will be visible on Instagram and YouTube accounts. 

Goals:

• increasing chances of young people to gain knowledge about Europe
• increasing educational and life opportunities after graduating from high school, vocational school or technical school
• equipping young people with valuable competencies e.g. team management, time management or financial management
• building intercultural dialogue between peers in Europe
• encouraging young people to take part in EU programmes (studies, internships, short-term mobility, local activities)
• building a sense of belonging to the European Union
• inspiring young people to travel eco-friendly and pay attention to good eco-practices in the countries concerned
• learning to take care of own and the group’s safety
• inclusion of people who did not apply in a real competition
• empowering the position of young people in a professional and social market
• learning new digital tools
• learning coaching methods
• improving the English language
• exchanging experiences related to social and civic activity
• expanding cooperation with rural regions and small cities
• using elements of gamification during a journey through Europe

Our project:

• includes people with fewer opportunities
• promotes Discover EU
• promotes eco solutions during a journey, sensitises young people on such aspects and helps to notice the good eco practices in other countries
• encourages to travel by train
• gives young people a chance to meet people from other parts of Europe
• encourages youth to take part in the next projects or programmes after such experiences
• allows people to plan a journey through and through, manage time, budget, group
• helps to learn about the cultural heritage of the Old Continent
• gives a chance for young citizens of the European Union to experience the cultural diversity and history of European countries.
• stands against anti-Union populism among teenagers towards the European Union
• allows to participate in a first serious project
• shapes thinking of Europe with an open labour market and possibilities of studying abroad
• promotes Erasmus+ and ESC
• enhances social and professional competencies
• encourages volunteering
• supports skills necessary in the labour market
• enhances the potential of a CV of the participants (experiences in foreign projects are recognised e.g. in international corporations) 
• promotes validation of competencies and knowledge by youthpass
• includes people in danger of exclusion
• breaks down barriers
• promotes E+ values – lifelong learning
• increases accessibility of the programme not only to young people from rich families

Actions taken during the project:

• • 10 journeys during which young people will visit Europe for 14 days moving only by ecological means of transport
  • 40 popularising events allowing for the support of the organisation 
  • an educational game that will be implemented by groups for the first week of travel
  • coaching for groups
  • language support for people with a lower level of English language

The project is implemented and financed by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme.