Day 9 of LevelUp: Create Your Own Path

Day 9 felt a little bit strange from the beginning. But beautiful nonetheless. Everyone knew it was the last full day together, so there was this weird combination of energy, gratitude and that feeling of “can we somehow make time slower today?”.

We started by talking about dissemination and follow-up plans. National teams discussed how they want to bring everything back home and share what they learned with their communities. New ideas appeared, plans were made and it became clear that this mobility does not really end here.

Then came one of the most emotional moments of the day. Participants received back their fears, expectations and contributions papers from Day 1. We talked about what changed, what fears stayed behind, what expectations became reality and how everyone contributed to the group. It hit harder than expected.

Later, we revisited the Blob activity. Participants looked back at the characters they chose on Day 1 and mid-term and selected one more to reflect how they felt now. Many emotions were mixed together: happiness, gratitude, pride and also sadness because saying goodbye was getting very real.

And then came “Time Travel”. On the first day, participants wrote messages about how they thought they would feel at the end of the project. Today they received those papers back. Some predictions were surprisingly accurate. Almost everyone got emotional.

We also revealed Secret Friends through music and dancing. There were surprises, hugs, small gestures and lots of smiles. Afterwards, participants shared feedback about their learning process, activities and what supported their growth during these days.

Youthpass and key competences came back into focus one more time, helping everyone realize how much learning actually happened during the mobility and through which activities.

And then came one of the strongest closing moments. Different statements were read aloud: who made you dance the most, who taught you something important, who you connected with the most. Participants silently walked towards people around the room.

There were tears. Many tears.

To close the project, everyone wrote messages for each other on personal sheets. Encouragement, appreciation, inside jokes and words people will probably keep for a very long time.

The day ended with closing speeches, kind words, promises to meet again somewhere, somehow, maybe in another country, another project or another random corner of the world. And also with one very important agreement: when someone reaches a professional milestone, the group needs to know.

Because projects end. But sometimes, surprisingly, people stay.

Day 8 of LevelUp: Create Your Own Path

Day 8 felt like the day where everything started coming together.

The teams spent the first part of the day improving their products, giving feedback to each other and making final adjustments. It was nice to see how seriously everyone treated the process. Small ideas became better ideas, details mattered and teamwork definitely did its job.

Later, the room slowly transformed into deadline mode. Final preparations, rehearsals, discussions, “one last change” moments and a bit of stress before presentations. All the teams added creative elements to the classic presentations and all of them put a lot of work and heart into what they created.

And honestly, the outputs were impressive. Board games, podcasts, awareness campaign, flipbook, Career Pathways Map. Every team came with something different. The amount of creativity and effort could really be seen. Even before finishing the session, we were already discussing which board game we wanted to play first.

The emotions were big during the final presentations. People felt proud seeing the final result of something they had built from scratch together. And maybe one of the most beautiful moments of the day came at the end: the medals ceremony. Small medals, big smiles.

After days full of teamwork, challenges, ideas, feedback, learning and a lot of energy, that small symbolic moment somehow carried a lot of meaning. People smiled, celebrated, took pictures and looked genuinely proud of themselves and of each other.

We closed the day with “WOW, I GOT THAT” and daily reflection, looking back not only at the products created, but also at everything we learned, built and experienced together.

 

Day 7 of LevelUp: Create Your Own Path

Today was a very sunny day. We started as usual by getting together in the activity room and reading the new box.

Today was also a very important day, as we are approaching the end of the project. We did the “Adobe Creative Types” test to find out which type we are when it comes to creativity.

The purpose of this test was to distinguish the various project participants based on personal characteristics.

Then we decided our 8 team leaders who created the various teams, selecting from the different options what the group would do today and tomorrow.

The entire day focused on developing the project outputs. Teams worked hard on research, explored ideas, discussed possibilities and slowly started shaping their final products. From brainstorming to planning and implementation, everyone had a role and responsibilities became very real.

As ideas started taking shape, teams regularly met with the CEOs to ask for feedback, validate directions and improve their work. Team leaders also had dedicated moments to align, discuss progress and identify what still needed adjustment. It felt very close to a real work environment: deadlines, teamwork, feedback loops and a lot of problem-solving.

During the different sessions, participants moved step by step through the process: research, building concepts, filming, creating content, implementing ideas and improving details. Some teams worked on awareness campaigns, others focused on podcasts, board games, maps or creative materials. Little by little, everything started coming together.

The activity room was full of discussions, laptops, papers, people moving between teams, asking questions, giving feedback and trying to make their ideas better. A lot of work happened this day. A lot.

Day 6 of LevelUp: Create Your Own Path

The morning started on a high note with energisers that filled everyone with energy, positivity, and motivation for the day ahead. The activities helped us wake up, connect with each other, and create a fun atmosphere from the very beginning.

We also took part in some truly competitive games and challenges and luckily, almost nobody got injured! The friendly competition brought lots of laughter and excitement while also strengthening our teamwork and communication skills.

A Day Focused on Business

Today was fully dedicated to business and entrepreneurship. Throughout the day, we practiced our entrepreneurial skills by developing projects focused on the “foundation of business and its branding.” Working in teams, we created ideas, discussed strategies, and explored the essential elements needed to build a successful business and a strong brand identity.

The activities encouraged us to think creatively, organize our ideas, and collaborate effectively in order to transform concepts into realistic projects.

Teamwork, Trust & Integration

Because integration and teamwork are key elements in every successful project, we continued with group activities designed to strengthen both internal and external communication, as well as trust between coordinators and team members. Through these exercises, we learned how important cooperation, support, and mutual understanding are within a team environment.

The educational part of the day concluded with the formation of teams for a larger group project that we will continue developing over the next two days. This gave us the chance to organize ourselves, exchange ideas, and prepare for the upcoming challenges together.

Cultural Evening - Türkiye & Portugal

Later in the evening, we enjoyed our free time by attending the warm and welcoming Turkish and Portuguese cultural night. The participants introduced us to their cultures through traditional foods, drinks, music, and dances, allowing everyone to fully immerse themselves in their traditions and cultural heritage.

The evening was filled with joy, laughter, dancing, and unforgettable moments shared together.

What We Learned Today

Today taught us many valuable lessons, including:

• How to work effectively in teams
• The importance of trust and helping one another
• How to apply critical thinking in practice
• How to develop business and branding projects
• How to stay productive even after a long night
• And, of course, how to dance Portuguese and Turkish dances!

Day 5 of LevelUp: Create Your Own Path

May 2 started with slightly tired faces after the intercultural evening from the night before, but somehow everyone still showed up with energy and a good mood. Coffee helped. Probably a lot.

We started the day with the RIASEC test and discussions about career interests, personality types and the kind of jobs or environments that fit different people better. It was interesting to see how seriously some participants analyzed their results and how often people reacted with “ok wow, this is actually accurate”.

Later, we moved into the elevator pitch session, together with SWOT analysis. Participants worked on identifying their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges, and then started building short pitches either for themselves as future employees or for their own business ideas. Some teams presented their pitches in front of the group, which led to a lot of feedback, encouragement and also a few funny moments.

In the afternoon, we had one of the most creative sessions so far: “Career Pathways Maps”. Participants created visual maps of their path toward their dream job or future business, using drawings, symbols, roads, puzzles, obstacles and all kinds of creative ideas. The room slowly turned into a mix between a workshop, an art gallery and group therapy session. Some maps were very realistic, others extremely ambitious, but all of them reflected personal goals, fears and motivation.

The activity also pushed participants to reflect on real-life obstacles, especially those connected to rural communities, and on what concrete steps they could take next in their professional journey. Music was playing in the background during the entire session, which made the atmosphere surprisingly calm and focused after such an active previous day.

We ended Day 5 with a mid term evaluation.

The facilitators used the BLOB method, where voluntarily we shared our feelings linked to the atmosphere of the entire group and learning process by reflecting on our development of our ASK, since our first contact with them ( preparation stage up today).

Day 4 of LevelUp: Create Your Own Path

We started the day with a fun energizer that instantly brought everyone closer and set a positive tone for the activities ahead. Through laughter, movement, and interaction, we were reminded how important it is to begin with open minds, positive energy, and a strong team spirit.

Mission Time!

The first major activity of the day was an exciting group mission where we had to complete a series of creative and unexpected challenges under time pressure. The tasks pushed us to think outside the box, communicate effectively, and collaborate as a team. From brainstorming ideas together to stepping outside our comfort zones, the activity showed us the true value of teamwork and cooperation.

Through this mission, we learned that:

• Listening to each other strengthens every idea
• Cooperation is more powerful than competition
• Good time management and strategy are essential
• Creativity grows when everyone contributes
• Most importantly, trusting your team and enjoying the process makes every challenge easier

The activity perfectly reflected the objectives of developing teamwork, creativity, communication, and collaboration skills through non-formal education methods.

E² Through My Eyes – Presentations

Later in the day, we explored the themes of employability and entrepreneurship through presentations prepared by each national team. Every group shared perspectives from their own countries, presenting local realities, challenges, and opportunities related to youth employment and entrepreneurial development.

Comparing & Reflecting

Together, we reflected on the similarities and differences between our countries. It was inspiring to discover that, despite our diverse backgrounds and contexts, we all share common goals: personal growth, opportunity, innovation, and a better future for young people.

Self-Evaluation

To conclude the educational part of the day, we took part in a self-evaluation session where we reflected on our personal involvement, the skills we developed, and the areas where we can continue improving. It reminded us that growth always begins with self-awareness and reflection.

Culture Night - Poland, Romania & Serbia

The evening was dedicated to an amazing intercultural exchange hosted by the teams from Poland, Romania and Serbia. We had the opportunity to taste traditional foods and drinks, learn about cultural traditions, enjoy music and dances, and experience the richness of each country’s heritage.

One of the highlights of the night was playing Kahoot together, a moment full of laughter, friendly competition, and unforgettable memories. The atmosphere was full of joy, connection, and shared experiences that brought everyone even closer together.

Another beautiful day of learning, sharing, and growing together.

Because here, we truly believe: You are your own limit.