See Europe, learn by doing, come back with stories
A youth exchange is around ten days with young people from other countries: workshops, games, honest conversations and new friends. If you're 18 to 25 and live in Romania, you can join one with us. Erasmus+ covers most of the costs.
Not a holiday, not a school trip
Something in between, and better than both. You live and learn together with a group from three or four countries, around a topic like communication, entrepreneurship or democracy.
Learning by doing
No lectures. Games, simulations, group work, short films, debates and study visits. You learn from trying things out and from each other.
An international group
You share meals, rooms and evenings with young people from other countries. Intercultural nights are often the moments people remember most.
A Youthpass at the end
Youthpass is a European certificate that describes what you learned. You can add it to your CV and job applications.
Probably you
Each call says exactly who it's for, but this is the usual picture.
- You're 18 to 25 years old (some projects accept up to 26)
- You live in Romania
- You're curious about the topic and want to take part in the whole programme, including the preparation and what happens afterwards
- No experience needed. Many of our participants are on their first Erasmus+ project
- Young people with fewer opportunities are especially welcome
Usually little or nothing
Youth exchanges are funded by the European Union through Erasmus+.
Covered by Erasmus+
- Accommodation for the whole exchange
- Meals, usually three a day plus coffee breaks
- All activities, materials and study visits
- Your travel, up to a limit that depends on the distance
What you might pay
When we book and pay for your travel in advance, we ask for a deposit of 50 EUR. It isn't a fee: it shows you're committed, and you get it back after the exchange.
Pocket money for extras, like souvenirs or a coffee in town, is up to you. Details for each project are in its call and in our terms and conditions.
From application to Youthpass
Apply
Fill in the form for an open call. Tell us about yourself and why the topic matters to you.
Selection
We look at motivation first, then at your learning needs and availability. Everyone gets an answer. How we select
Preparation
Online meetings with your group and with the whole international team, so you know who you're travelling with and what to expect.
The exchange
Around ten days of sessions, teamwork, study visits and intercultural nights, with your group leader by your side.
Back home
You get your Youthpass, share what you learned with other young people in a small event, and stay part of the Elemdiar community.
Where you could go next
New calls usually open a few months before an exchange and fill up fast. Follow us on Instagram so you don't miss one.
-
Mar 2027partner projectI'm interested
The Financial Blueprint
Mezőberény, Hungary. A youth exchange about money: budgets, banking, online financial risks and the digital economy. We can send 8 young people aged 18 to 26 and one group leader.
The call for participants opens in December. The exact dates will be announced, so sign up for the newsletter to hear first.
Where our groups went before
Speak UP!
A youth exchange on public speaking and communication, hosted by Trailblazers. We sent 12 people from Romania.
Job Jam
Ten days of CVs, LinkedIn profiles, mock interviews with HR professionals and real job applications, hosted by Youth Group Novae. Our group: nine young people and a group leader.
Things people usually ask
Do I need to speak perfect English?
No. English is the common language of most exchanges, but nobody expects it to be perfect. An intermediate level helps you follow the sessions, and most people say their English got better during the exchange.
I've never been abroad or in a project like this. Can I still apply?
Yes. Many of our participants are on their first Erasmus+ project. You'll have preparation meetings before you leave and a group leader from Romania with you the whole time.
Who travels with our group?
Every national group travels with at least one group leader: a youth worker with experience in leading groups. They are your first contact for anything you need during the exchange.
I have fewer opportunities. Is this for me?
Very much so. In our own exchanges, about half of every group were young people facing economic, social, geographical or other barriers. Tell us in the form what could make it harder for you to take part, and we'll look at what support is possible.
Is it safe?
We check venues and partners before every activity, prepare you before departure, and have clear rules and a support person during the exchange. Read our safety and wellbeing commitments and our code of conduct.
What if I have to cancel?
Tell us as soon as you can, so someone else can take your place. If you cancel for a serious reason, such as illness, we send your deposit back. Otherwise, we use it to cover the cost of changing the ticket to the name of the person who replaces you.
Tell us a bit about yourself
This isn't an application for a specific project yet. We'll write to you when a call opens that fits you, and send you the full application then.