Day 8 LevelUp: Ready4Work

This day was funny and intense. It pushed us to manage our time well. We continued filming and editing for Ready4Oscars. The whole day was dedicated to this outcome. The facilitators gave us clear guidelines. Technical steps, concept, rules, tips and tricks. Even so, we had some delays in delivering the final videos.

Each team worked on a clear topic. Work life balance. Bullying and unemployment. Fighting for a job. Abusement of employees. Getting a job. Job versus unemployment.

We tried to include everything we learned during this mobility in our clips. From day one until today. We used the skills developed in the different sessions. This outcome represents the main result of this youth exchange.

The day ended with participants engaging in a reflection session to exchange experiences and learning points, while the leaders’ meeting focused on evaluation, planning, and coordination for the days ahead.

In the end all teams managed to finish their movies. We were surprised by the Oscar event. Every detail was prepared by the staff team. Lights, red carpet, interviews, the voting process, the moderators and the presentations. The voting system was fair.

After the trophies, each of us received a medal so everyone felt like a winner. We ended the day with an emotional party. We are the champions!

We took photos and shared moments of happiness, tears and laughter.

Social media: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok

Day 7 LevelUp: Ready4Work

The day started with an energizer that gave us focus and confidence before the interviews. The facilitators handed out our printed CVs. The six job recruiters were introduced and each of us registered for at least one interview.

The job fair offered a complete recruitment experience. The activity prepared us for our future career. It is something rare to get this role play simulation and for all of us it will be very useful.

We tested our skills linked to communication, critical thinking.

We applied for clear job positions. Chariot International, Escape Room Actor, Teacher in Kindergarten, Financial KYC Analyst, Assistant Manager and Data Analyst. At the end, each recruiter announced who received the job and explained the decision. We then had a short debriefing moderated by the facilitators.

After lunch we joined the Ready4Oscars session. The facilitators explained the steps of the activity and the key elements of this outcome. International teams worked on video ideas. We had time to brainstorm and shape our concept.

Before dinner we had a short but meaningful retrospective connected to our learning process. This helped us understand what we achieved during the day and what we want to improve. After that we moved into reflection time and leaders meeting.

In the evening we watched the cultural presentations of Bangladesh and the Republic of Moldova. Farah presented Bangladesh through history, culture, daily life and important facts. The sisters Cătălina and Olivia presented Moldova’s key aspects, traditions and elements of their identity. Both presentations were clear and engaging. We learned new information and understood their backgrounds better. This mobility gave us a strong opportunity to explore different cultures and expand our knowledge.

The day ended with Halloween costumes and shared moments that brought our group even closer.

Social media: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok

Spain - Offline Dissemination

Our team member María, gave a talk about the Erasmus+ program at her university, in the German class of the Faculty of Commerce and Human Resources, part of the “Universidad de Valladolid”. The attendees were 24 students from 20 to 25 years old, young people genuinely interested in the topic. She explained what these programs consist of, which are the topics that can be treated, which are the pillars on which they stand, the common goals in each project, who can take part in them, what costs are covered and how are they financed.

Then she talked about her own experience, what she expected -as this was her first time-, what she learnt during and after the project, and how she found out about the Erasmus+ program.

After that, the students asked a lot of questions, moment that she used to recommend pages, channels and social media accounts where they can find this opportunities.

Spain - Online Dissemination

Within the framework of the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project “LevelUp: Rural Youth In Action, Spanish participants carried out online dissemination activities on Linkedin.

Each participant shared visually supported posts in English and Spanish, in order to reach out people in our community and abroad, including details about the project title, dates, location, host organization and participating countries. The posts included personal experiences, reflections, and group photos, as well as descriptions of key activities such as the cultural nights, study visit and national presentations on rural entrepreneurship.

Thanks to the diverse audience of the platforms, these posts reached various people across different countries, generating likes, comments, shares, and messages of interest. The dissemination posts helped increase the visibility of the Erasmus+ program, drew attention to the importance of the rural areas, and promoted intercultural awareness.

"For 10 days I had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ program, my second, this time in Romania, near Vatra Dornei.

The E+ program offers many different opportunities and topics, so for this occasion I was able to choose again one that would teach me more about the professional path I am taking.

"LevelUp: Rural Youth in Action" has shown us the realities of the rural world in different countries of Europe, how they face them and what they are looking for. Then they taught us how to create a business by catering to the desires of life away from the big urban centers. Finally, we formed international groups to create, develop and present projects, in a "shark tank" simulation.

It has been an enriching experience in which I have also been Team Leader of the Spanish group.

Erasmus+

European Commission

Thanks to the El Nexo Association as a sending organization.

Huge thanks to "Initiative Sociale", the organizer of this wonderful project, who have taken care of us at all times and have taught us so much." - Guillermo

"I recently took part in LevelUP: Rural Youth in Action, an Erasmus+ youth exchange held in Vatra Dornei, Romania.

For nine days, young people from Spain, Romania, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, and the Czech Republic worked together to develop skills in rural entrepreneurship, creating business plans and sharing best practices in a truly multicultural environment.

It was a great experience that helped me strengthen teamwork, creativity, and initiative while expanding my international network.

Many thanks to Initiative Sociale and Asociación El Nexo for making it possible." - Maria

"🌍🙌🏼This September I had the privilege to join the LevelUP: Rural Youth in Action exchange in Vatra Dornei, Romania — an unforgettable experience that brought together 34 participants and 4 facilitators, a total of 38 people, united to learn, share and grow through rural entrepreneurship.

Organized and facilitated by Initiative Sociale, the project gathered young people and leaders from Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Serbia, Spain, and Romania, with the support of the Erasmus+ programme. Thanks to the collaboration of the European Union, participants from Bangladesh, Colombia, India, and Pakistan also joined, enriching the cultural and professional exchange even more.

Throughout 9 days of non-formal education and teamwork, we strengthened key competencies:

❇️ Leadership and teamwork across multicultural groups

❇️ Confidence to share knowledge and inspire others

❇️ Entrepreneurial creativity and initiative to design rural business plans

❇️ Networking and international collaboration for sustainable development

❇️ English language improvement, by working and communicating daily in an international environment

🌱 Beyond skills, the true value of this exchange was the trust, cooperation, and friendships built among 38 people from diverse cultures, all committed to building a more entrepreneurial and sustainable future.

A special thanks to Initiative Sociale and the Erasmus+ programme for making this impactful journey possible." - Miler

Day 6 LevelUp: Ready4Work

The projects six day started with an energiser using a hole-hoop testing the participants problem solving and teamwork while also helping everyone to wake up.

Later in the morning the participants did the midterm evaluation. Sheets were given out where they needed to colour in characters which reflected there feelings on how they felt after being accepted to the project and how they felt during that moment where they were colouring them in.

Before lunch, participants gathered in teams and searched for Do'es and Dont's during job interviews. They had to note them on a flipcharts and present in front of others.

After that we had lunch and in the next exercise the participants were divided in to six groups and were giving a task of making a play about some of the issues that plague the work environment. The exercise it self was facilitated by Lorenzo, one of the participants. It helped to increase the understanding of the issues in a fun and creative way and allowing the participants to express them express them self in a theater like environmental.

After that, we had lunch, and in the next exercise, the participants were divided into six groups and given the task of creating a short play about issues that affect the work environment. The exercise itself was facilitated by Lorenzo, one of the participants. It helped increase understanding of these issues in a fun and creative way, allowing participants to express themselves in a theater-like setting.

Before closing the day, a reflection session allowed participants to share key learnings and personal reflections, and in parallel, the leaders gathered to review the day and align on the following steps.

The 6th day ended with a enjoyble cultural night held by Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Each group presented unique performances that highlighted their country’s music, dance, and cultural heritage. The atmosphere was full of energy and excitement as we joined in traditional dances and experienced the diversity of rhythms and movements. We also had the opportunity to taste a variety of traditional dishes, each offering distinct flavors that reflected the culinary traditions of the participating countries.

The sixth day was filled with teamwork, creativity, and cultural exchange. Participants improved their problem-solving and communication skills through engaging activities and ended the day with a lively cultural night that celebrated diversity and unity among all.

Social media: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok

Italy - Offline Dissemination

The team leader of the group, Arcangelo, organized the offline dissemination by talking to the students of two classes in the “Polo Liceale R. Mattioli” high school, for a total of around 40 students. he started the presentation by introducing the concept of Erasmus+, and then proceded to talk about the project. firstly by mentioning the main aspects (theme, dates, location, hosting organization etc.), then he moved on to the objectives, to the activities, and finished by talking about the results. he presented his own group’s startup idea, Checkmate, an anti-cafe focussed on selling local products and offering etertainment to rural areas. this served both as an example of the final results of the project, and as a way to show how the theoretical knowledge learned would apply in practicality. he then concluded the session by showing pictures of the various cultural nights, proving how the experience helped him learn more about different cultures and connect with others.

The presentation was undeniably successful, with students showing great interest in both the general concept of Erasmus+ and the specific project organized in Vatra Dornei. the mix of professional yet personal in the presentation made the students more invested and willing to ask questions, and it illustrated well the objectives, activities and results of the project. 

As a results, more students got interested in participting in an Erasmus+ themselves and in rural entrepreneurship, with the idea of Checkmate sparking particular interest in their minds.

Italy - Online Dissemination

For this Erasmus+ Youth Exchange, the italian team chose to carry out their online dissemination on LinkedIn. Each member shared visually supported posts in English, including details about the project such as dates (18–28 September 2025), location (Vatra Dornei, Romania), host organization (Initiative Sociale), and participating countries. The posts included pictures of activities, group photos, personal thoughts and description of the main topics of the project.

"From September 18th to 28th, I had the privilege to take part in the project LevelUp: Rural Youth in Action in Vatra Dornei (Romania), a project funded by the European Union and implemented by the Association Initiative Sociale in Romania.

Over the course of 10 days, 37 young participants from Italy, Spain, Poland, Ungheria, Serbia, Romania, and the Czech Republic + 2 facilitators came together to collaborate, exchange perspectives, and co-create. Starting with ice-breaking games that soon evolved into international teams working on entrepreneurial solutions for rural areas across Europe such as rural revival in my case. 🌱💡

Thanks to the amazing job and commitment of the facilitators, this experience has been extremely productive and pleasant to be in, providing me with the opportunity to strengthen key soft skills that are essential in today’s interconnected world:

• Intercultural competence: learning to collaborate effectively within a highly diverse environment.

• Teamwork and leadership: coordinating efforts and responsibilities in international groups.

• Problem-solving and creativity: designing innovative business models tailored to the challenges and opportunities of rural communities.

• Communication and adaptability: navigating multilingual and multicultural contexts with clarity and openness.

•Building and strengthening confidence thru pubblic speaking and talking to people from different countries and backgrounds

I return from this experience with a stronger skill set, an expanded European network, and a renewed commitment to engage in projects that talk about youth empowerment, rural development, and social impact. 🌍" - Cristian

"From September 18th to 28th, I had the chance to take part in LevelUp: Rural Youth in Action, held in Vatra Dornei (Romania), a project supported by the European Union and carried out by Association Initiative Sociale.

For 10 days, 34 young people from Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and the Czech Republic came together to exchange ideas, collaborate, and build solutions. What started as ice-breaking activities soon grew into international teamwork, developing entrepreneurial projects aimed at empowering rural communities across Europe 🌱💡.

Thanks to the dedication and expertise of the facilitators, this experience was both educational and transformative, giving me the chance to strengthen key soft skills that are increasingly valuable today:

• Intercultural collaboration: engaging effectively in a highly diverse setting.

• Teamwork and leadership: sharing tasks and responsibilities in multinational groups.

• Creativity and problem-solving: designing innovative business models for rural challenges.

• Communication and flexibility: adapting to multilingual and multicultural contexts with openness.

Beyond my personal growth, this project underlined how entrepreneurship can serve as a powerful driver for sustainable development in rural Europe 🇪🇺, and how young people can play an active role in building inclusive, innovative, and resilient communities 🤝💡.

I return from this journey with stronger skills, an expanded European network, and a renewed motivation to contribute to initiatives that promote youth empowerment, rural development, and social impact 🌍✨." - Giovanni

"From September 18th to 28th, I had the privilege to take part in the project LevelUp: Rural Youth in Action in Vatra Dornei (Romania), a project funded by the European Union and implemented by the Association Initiative Sociale in Romania.

Over the course of 10 days, 34 young participants from Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and the Czech Republic came together to collaborate, exchange perspectives, and co-create. What began with ice-breaking activities soon evolved into international teams working on entrepreneurial solutions for rural areas across Europe. 🌱💡

Thanks go the amazing job and commitment of the facilitators, this experience has been profoundly formative and transformative, providing me with the opportunity to strengthen key soft skills that are essential in today’s interconnected world:

• Intercultural competence: learning to collaborate effectively within a highly diverse environment.

• Teamwork and leadership: coordinating efforts and responsibilities in international groups.

• Problem-solving and creativity: designing innovative business models tailored to the challenges and opportunities of rural communities.

• Communication and adaptability: navigating multilingual and multicultural contexts with clarity and openness.

Beyond personal growth, this project highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship as a driver of sustainable development in rural Europe🇪🇺, showing how young people can contribute to inclusive and resilient communities through innovation and cooperation🤝💡.

I return from this experience with a stronger skill set, an expanded European network, and a renewed commitment to engage in projects that foster youth empowerment, rural development, and social impact. 🌍✨" - Martina

"From September 18th to 28th, I joined the Erasmus Plus Project LevelUP: Rural Youth in Action, an EU-funded project in Romania supported by Scambio Europeo Italy.

Together with 39 young participants from 7 European countries, we worked on entrepreneurial solutions for rural communities — turning ideas into models for sustainable development. 🌱💡

This experience strengthened my teamwork, leadership, intercultural communication, and problem-solving skills, while showing how youth entrepreneurship can drive resilience and inclusion in rural Europe.

Grateful for the growth, connections, and inspiration this journey brought. 🌍✨" - Mishal

"From September 18th to 28th, I had the privilege to go to Vatra Dornei in, a project funded by the European Union and implemented by the Association Initiative Sociale in Romania, with the support of ScambiEuropei Italy.

Over the course of 10 days, 34 young participants from Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and the Czech Republic came together to collaborate, exchange perspectives, and co-create. What began with ice-breaking activities soon evolved into international teams working on entrepreneurial solutions for rural areas across Europe. 🌱💡

This experience has been profoundly formative and transformative, providing me with the opportunity to strengthen key soft skills that are essential in today’s interconnected world:

• Intercultural competence: learning to collaborate effectively within a highly diverse environment.

• Teamwork and leadership: coordinating efforts and responsibilities in international groups.

• Problem-solving and creativity: designing innovative business models tailored to the challenges and opportunities of rural communities.

• Communication and adaptability: navigating multilingual and multicultural contexts with clarity and openness.

Beyond personal growth, this project highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship as a driver of sustainable development in rural Europe, showing how young people can contribute to inclusive and resilient communities through innovation and cooperation.

I return from this experience with a stronger skill set, an expanded European network, and a renewed commitment to engage in projects that foster youth empowerment, rural development, and social impact. 🌍✨" - Archangelo