Day 2 LevelUp: Ready4Work

A fresh mountain morning welcomed us again as Day 2 began at 9:00 AM with a hearty breakfast. The dining room buzzed with laughter and chatter, everyone recharged and ready for another day of discovery and fun.

We kicked things off with a lively energizer that instantly set a positive tone for the day. The energy in the room was contagious! Soon after, we jumped into a name revision game, and what a blast it was! In small groups at first, we started recalling each other’s names and countries, then slowly merged into one big circle. By the end of the activity, we proudly realized that we had learned everyone’s name, 40 participants from different countries! It felt like we were no longer strangers but one connected group.

The next activity, Clock Dates, turned out to be one of the highlights of the day. Each participant had a “clock” with 12 time slots, and for every hour, we paired up with a new partner for a short “date.” Every conversation brought something new and we shared ideas, cultural experiences, funny stories, and even life lessons. It was an amazing opportunity to connect on a deeper level and to truly understand the diverse backgrounds that make this project so special.

After a short coffee break, we were ready for action again with a creative and dynamic Treasure Hunt! Divided into teams, we ran across different stations completing tasks like Chinese Whispers, trivia challenges, and quick physical and mental games. Each station tested our teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. The competition was fierce but friendly, and everyone cheered each other on. By the end, we were tired but thrilled, laughing, high-fiving, and celebrating every point earned.

Lunch came at just the right time, offering us a delicious Romanian meal and a perfect chance to rest and reflect. Conversations flowed easily as we talked about our favorite moments, shared insights from the morning, and bonded even more over laughter and good food.

The afternoon session brought a shift toward learning. Our facilitators led an informative workshop about Erasmus+ and other international opportunities. The presentation was eye-opening as we discovered programs, exchanges, and possibilities we hadn’t known before. Many of us had our first “aha!” moments, finally understanding how Erasmus+ works and how we can benefit from it personally and professionally. The trainer’s clarity and enthusiasm made the session not just educational but truly inspiring.

After the final coffee break, we wrapped up the day with a cheerful reflection activity, revisiting everything we learned and experienced. It was amazing to see how much we had already grown in just two days. And after, the leaders meeting to see what we need to improve for the next days.

Day 2 ended on a high note: full hearts, inspired minds, and strong friendships in the making. We learned, we laughed, we ran, and we shared, and every moment brought us one step closer to becoming the best version of ourselves. 

Social media: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok

Day 1 LevelUp: Ready4Work

New faces, fresh energy and excitement filled the mountain village of Vatra Dornei as participants from multiple countries arrived for the program.

Our first morning kicked off at 9:00 AM with a well-deserved breakfast that was a moment to fuel up and prepare for the day ahead. By 10:00 AM, the fun began with an energizer game: one person led a series of movements while everyone else copied them, an outside participant had to guess the leader. By the end of the round, we were already starting to learn each other’s names, faces, and even a few dance moves.

Afterwards we moved into our first official ice-breaking activity. Each participant introduced themselves (name, country) helping us attach stories to faces right from the start. We then played an inclusion game: one person stepped into the middle of the circle and shared a statement like, “I have siblings” or “I know more than three languages.” Anyone who related stepped in, held hands, and shared a brief conversation. This instantly revealed surprising common ground.

A coffee break at 11:30 AM gave us a chance to relax and chat informally. At 12:00 PM, we jumped into another ice-breaker with a ball: whoever caught it shared something funny or interesting about themselves. We discovered secret talents, amazing abilities and who among us had the quickest reflexes.

Before lunch, we focused on two crucial project moments. First, we collaboratively set the rules for the project, ensuring a respectful, open and safe environment. Ideas included listening actively, respecting differences, being punctual and being active. Then our facilitator handed out papers with a backpack drawing. Participants filled their “backpacks” with expectations, contributions and fears for the project. It was a simple exercise with powerful results, helping everyone articulate what they hoped to gain, what they planned to offer and what worried us inside.

We also took a quiet moment to reflect and write down our current feelings, hopes and first impressions on post-its. These notes will be kept until the final day as a small reflection to track our growth and changing perspectives.

Lunch at 1:30 PM was a treat we had warm chicken soup, beans and Romanian dishes that offered us energy. After lunch, we enjoyed a siesta from 2:00 to 3:30 PM to rest and recharge.

The afternoon brought deeper teamwork. From 3:30 PM, small groups discussed the project’s five main objectives, exploring why each was important for both personal and professional skills of this project. Conversations were thoughtful and enriched by diverse perspectives.

A coffee break at 5:30 PM provided a quick recharge before a creative exercise at 6:00 PM. Each participant received a shield drawing to fill with dream jobs, hobbies, values and things they love. The result was a map of who we are and who we aspire to be.

The activities day closed with a reflection session for participants and a leaders’ meeting, helping us process experiences and prepare for the days ahead.

Dinner at 7:00 PM featured traditional Romanian dishes, the right energy boost for the evening ahead. At 9:00 PM, we began the Romanian-Polish Cultural Night.

The Polish team opened with energy, teaching us handy phrases in polish, sharing a short video about Poland and presenting fun facts through a friendly competition. The Romanian team followed with a quiz, where mixed country teams answered questions about culture and history. We also played an art game recreating famous Romanian places and artworks and volunteers led a storytelling round that turned into an improv show. Both teams showcased traditional foods and drinks, and the night ended with folk dances from both countries .

Day 1 is complete and we are so happy that we achieved so many things: expectations written, rules agreed, backpacks filled, names and dance moves learned.

Social media: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok

Level Up: Ready4Work

On 23 October 2025, the international Erasmus+ Youth Exchange LevelUP: Ready4Work officially kicks off in Vatra Dornei (Argeștru), Romania, bringing together young people from across Europe for an intense learning and intercultural experience focused on employability and personal development. The mobility will take place until 2 November 2025, including travel days. 

About the Project

LevelUP: Ready4Work is a multilateral youth exchange implemented within the Erasmus+ Programme, responding to one of the most pressing challenges faced by young people today: access to the labour market and youth unemployment.

The project is designed to support young people in developing the key personal and professional competences needed to successfully enter and navigate today’s constantly changing world of work. Through non-formal education methods, participants will take part in interactive workshops, group work, simulations, discussions and reflection sessions in a safe and supportive international environment.

Aim of the Youth Exchange

The main aim of LevelUP: Ready4Work is to empower young people with essential employability skills and to increase their awareness of the European labour market, its challenges and opportunities. By the end of the exchange, participants will feel more confident, motivated and prepared to actively shape their professional future. 

Project Objectives

During the 9 days of activities, the project aims to:

• increase participants’ understanding of the European labour market and the realities young people face when entering it;
• develop key competences such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, adaptability, creativity, initiative and problem-solving;
• enhance participants’ employability and active participation in social and professional life;
• foster intercultural dialogue, inclusion, tolerance and solidarity among young people from different countries;
• strengthen international cooperation and long-term partnerships between youth organisations within the Erasmus+ framework. 

Location & Dates

The youth exchange is hosted in Vatra Dornei (Argeștru), Romania, a mountain area known for its natural beauty and peaceful environment, an ideal setting for reflection, learning and team-building activities.

📍 Location: Vatra Dornei (Argeștru), Romania

📅 Dates: 23 October – 2 November 2025 (including travel days)

Participating Countries & Partners

The project brings together 33 young participants and 7 group leaders from seven European countries, working together in an inclusive and multicultural learning space.

Partner organisations involved in the exchange are:

1. Mladoevropani – Czech Republic
2. Greek Youth Mobility – Greece
3. Creative Youth Academy – Hungary
4. Associazione Scambieuropei – Italy
5. TAVO Europa – Lithuania
6. DGT Polska – Poland
7. Initiative Sociale – Romania (host organisation)

Special attention is given to the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities, ensuring equal access to learning and development for all participants.  

Hungary - Online Dissemination

As part of the LevelUp: Rural Youth in Action project, the Hungarian participants actively promoted the program through social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Each member shared reflections and visuals highlighting their experiences, the project’s goals and key learning moments.

The posts featured the project’s activities such as the business hackathon, local farm visit, cultural evenings and workshops on rural entrepreneurship. These dissemination efforts helped broaden the project’s visibility, engaging audiences from different countries and inspiring other young people to explore similar Erasmus+ opportunities.

By sharing personal insights and creative content, Team Hungary contributed to raising awareness about youth entrepreneurship, sustainability and intercultural collaboration. 

"This month, from 18th to 28th September, I had the chance to join LevelUp: Rural Youth in Action in Vatra Dornei, Romania, a 10 day EU-funded project hosted by Association Initiative Sociale.

Together with 34 young participants from across Europe, we worked on entrepreneurial solutions for rural areas. 

One of the highlights of the program was visiting a local farm and hearing the inspiring story of its owner’s entrepreneurial journey. It was a powerful reminder of how passion, resilience and community support can turn small ideas into sustainable businesses.

In our international team, we developed "Green Flag", an organic agrofarm concept focused on ethical livestock, organic crops, farm boxes and scaling delivery services across Europe. This experience has been a milestone for me both academically and personally. Coming from rural Bangladesh, where agriculture is part of daily life, I could connect deeply with the project. Working on Green Flag helped me sharpen my skills in business modeling, financial planning and sustainability driven innovation. Most importantly, it strengthened my vision to one day launch my own entrepreneurial initiatives in Bangladesh, empowering rural communities and promoting eco friendly agriculture.

Grateful to my teammates, facilitators and the entire project team for making this such an inspiring and transformative journey. 🌍✨

🚀 This is just the beginning of my path in sustainable entrepreneurship — and I’m excited to see where it leads next." - Joy

"Looking back, I’m so thankful I had the chance to take part in LevelUP: Rural Youth in Action, an Erasmus+ youth exchange held in Vatra Dornei, Romania 🇷🇴 from 18–28 September 2025.Together with 37 young people and group leaders from 7 European countries, we spent 9 days learning about rural entrepreneurship, sharing ideas, and working in international teams to create business plans. Beyond the workshops, what really stood out were the cultural evenings, the mountain setting, and the chance to connect with so many inspiring people. 🌿💡The project gave me new perspectives on how creativity and cooperation can make a difference in rural communities. I’m leaving with not just knowledge, but also friendships and experiences I’ll carry forward. 💌Grateful to Erasmus+ and Initiative Sociale for making this possible." - Panna

Hungary - Offline Dissemination

Panna Léna Pásztor, leader of the Hungarian team, organized a presentation about the Youth Exchange at Leonardo Gimnázium, Budapest. The event gathered 11 students on October 5th, 2025.

Panna introduced the project's key aspects, focusing on rural entrepreneurship, teamwork, creativity and international cooperation.

She described the activities, workshops, challenges and the development of start-up ideas. The session included a slideshow of photos and moments from the exchange, showcasing the collaborative and inspiring atmosphere. The audience engaged with questions about the Erasmus+ program and the experience of working with colleagues from different countries.

The dissemination session effectively shared the message and outcomes of the LevelUP: Rural Youth in Action project. It introduced the Erasmus+ program to students, sparking their curiosity and motivation to explore similar international opportunities in the future.

Serbia - Offline Dissemination

Two members of the Serbian team, Petar and Iris, organized an offline dissemination activity by presenting the Youth Exchange to their classmates at Grammar School “Svetozar Marković” in Niš. The presentation took place on October 10th, 2025, and gathered 21 IB students aged 17–18.

They introduced the audience to the main aspects of the project — its title, location, dates, participating countries, and objectives — emphasizing rural entrepreneurship, teamwork, creativity, and international cooperation among young people. The presenters described the key activities, including interactive workshops, teamwork challenges, cultural evenings, and the development of start-up ideas addressing rural community needs, while also reflecting on how the project strengthened their communication, entrepreneurial thinking, and intercultural understanding.

Iris then presented her team’s final start-up idea, Trad Craft, focused on preserving traditional crafts and linking them with modern entrepreneurship. The idea served as a practical example of how creativity and teamwork can turn non-formal learning into real results.

The session concluded with a short slideshow of photos and moments from the exchange, showcasing the collaborative and inspiring atmosphere of the project. The audience showed great interest, asking about the Erasmus+ programme, the application process, and the experience of working with peers from different countries.

The dissemination session proved very effective in sharing the message and outcomes of the LevelUP: Rural Youth in Action project with a younger audience. Petar and Iris successfully introduced their classmates to the Erasmus+ programme, sparking genuine curiosity, interest, and motivation among students who had not previously taken part in international exchanges. The activity showed that personal stories and visuals are powerful tools for communication — the audience engaged most with the presenters’ real experiences, teamwork moments, and reflections from the exchange.

The use of photos, videos, and the “Trad Craft” business idea helped illustrate the creativity, collaboration, and practical results of the project, making the session more relatable, memorable, and inspiring for everyone present.

As a result, several students expressed interest in learning more about Erasmus+ opportunities and youth mobility projects. The activity achieved its purpose by promoting the values of rural entrepreneurship, intercultural learning, and non-formal education, while encouraging other young people to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new experiences, and actively explore similar international opportunities in the future.

Serbia - Online Dissemination

As part of the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project LevelUP: Rural Youth in Action, the Serbian team and their sending NGO implemented several online dissemination posts across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Each team member shared visually engaging posts in English, presenting key information about the project (its title, topic, dates, location, host organization, and participating countries). The posts featured group photos, highlights from the exchange, their creation of start-up ideas, workshops on rural entrepreneurship, teamwork activities, and intercultural evenings.

In addition to individual contributions, Scout Group “Djuka Dinić” used its official Instagram platform (with a wide reach and high follower engagement) to further extend the project’s online visibility. Together, the participants’ and organization’s posts reached a significant number of people online, generating engagement from followers across different platforms.

These dissemination efforts helped promote the Erasmus+ programme, increased awareness about rural entrepreneurship and youth participation, and inspired more young people and local communities to take part in future international mobility projects.

"Youth exchange "LevelUp: Rural Youth in Action"  Vatra Dornei, Romania.Throughout the program, we explored the challenges and opportunities of rural areas and designed our own rural start-up ideas.We worked in international teams to turn creative ideas into business models that could empower rural communities.This experience showed us how young people can bring innovation to rural regions." - Emilija Ilić

"Just finished an amazing Erasmus+ project in Vatra Dornei, Romania. Together with 37 participants representing 7 European countries, I gained a lot of knowledge about rural enterpenuership. I also met a lot of wonderful and smart people from all over Europe. Memories made here are ones I will cherish forever. Thank you Initiative Sociale for organising the project." - Lazar

"Had a great experience in Vatra Dornei with the Erasmus+ project! Met so many great people from all around Europe and made memories that will last a lifetime, as well as gained a bunch of knowledge about rural entrepreneuership." - Jana