🌍 Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Opportunity
Taste Away 2.0 is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange that will bring together young people from across Europe in a unique rural setting in Mrachenik, Bulgaria. The project focuses on cultural exchange through cooking, community living and reconnecting with nature.
This youth exchange gathers 40 young participants to temporarily disconnect from the digital world and rediscover human connection through shared experiences. Set in a quiet mountain village, the project explores food preparation, cooking traditions and cultural identity while building a strong international community.
Participants will cook together, share meals, collaborate with the local community and explore sustainable living in a minimalistic environment close to nature.
🍳 Project Concept
Food is used as the central tool for intercultural learning. Cooking together becomes a way to discover different cultures, values and traditions while strengthening teamwork and communication skills.
The exchange promotes offline interaction, creativity, mindfulness and sustainable living, encouraging participants to reflect on their relationship with technology, consumption and community life.
👥 Participants
👥 40 young people
🎂 Age: 18–30 years old
🌍 Participating Countries
🇦🇹 Austria 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇫🇷 France 🇬🇪 Georgia 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇮🇹 Italy
📅 Activity Dates
29 April 2026 – 7 May 2026
📍 Activity Location
Mrachenik, Bulgaria 🇧🇬
🏡 Venue
Activities will take place in the Bright Future Center, a former school building transformed into a hub for non-formal education and international youth projects.
The center has hosted Erasmus+ and ESC activities in recent years and has become a meeting point for young people across Europe.
🌄 Mrachenik is a small village with around 60 residents, mostly elderly. Despite its size, the community is welcoming and the surrounding region of Sredna Gora offers beautiful landscapes, historic sites and mountain scenery.
🏕 Accommodation & Facilities
Participants will stay in a simple nature-based environment designed to encourage community living.
🏕 Shared tents (up to 3 people)
🛏 Foam mattress (10 cm), pillow, pillowcase and mattress cover provided
🚿 3 showers
🚻 6 indoor toilets
🔥 Campfire area
🍳 Fully equipped kitchen
Participants may also bring their own tent if they prefer to stay alone.
🎯 Objectives of the Project
🍳 Discover different cultures through cooking and shared meals
🤝 Build an international community based on cooperation and human connection
🌱 Experience sustainable and minimalist living in nature
🎨 Develop creativity, self-reflection and practical life skills
🏡 Strengthen links between young people and the local Bulgarian community
📚 Encourage learning by doing through hands-on activities and real experiences
🧩 Programme Structure
The Youth Exchange will include three main phases.
🟢 Part 1 – Discovering (Days 1–5)
Participants will explore their strengths and get to know each other through experiential learning methods such as theatre, outdoor activities, media work and cooking sessions.
🟢 Part 2 – Reality (Days 6–8)
Participants will interact with the local community and apply the knowledge gained during the first part of the exchange.
🟢 Part 3 – Last Steps (Days 9–11)
Participants will reflect on their learning and produce dissemination materials such as photo albums, videos and articles.
After the exchange, a follow-up phase between June and August 2026 will allow participants to evaluate the project and share the impact of the experience within their communities.
👤 Participant Profile
👤 Young people aged 18–30
🌍 Living in one of the participating countries
🍳 Interested in cooking, teamwork and cultural exchange
📵 Ready to disconnect from digital devices and experience minimalistic living
🌱 Motivated to live close to nature and collaborate with others
📅 Fully available during the entire youth exchange
💰 Participation Fee
Participants contribute a 30–50 € participation fee.
The fee follows a sliding scale system, meaning participants pay according to their financial situation. If the fee represents an obstacle, participants can contact the organisers to find a solution.
✨ What Participants Will Experience
🤝 Development of communication and teamwork skills
🍳 Creative activities centered around cooking and food culture
🌱 Living in an environmentally sustainable setting
📵 Disconnecting from constant digital screen time
🌍 Deep cultural exchange with participants from different countries
🔥 Building connections through shared experiences and daily cooperation
📅 Application Deadline
Applications are accepted as soon as possible.
📄 Infopack
📝 How to Apply
Participants must apply by contacting the partner organisation responsible for their country.
📧 Partner Organisations
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
office@bravo-bih.com
🇭🇺 Hungary
exchanges@egyesek.hu
🇮🇹 Italy
newellnesseducation@gmail.com
🇫🇷 France
info@viaduc.info
🇬🇪 Georgia
syc_guria@yahoo.com
🇦🇹 Austria
info@sage-education.at
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
info@smokinya.com
⚠️ Important Notice
1️⃣ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the project coordinator.
2️⃣ Responsibility for Content
The project coordinator is solely responsible for the accuracy, details, and updates of the opportunity content.
3️⃣ Right to Modify or Withdraw
Coordinating organisations reserve the right to make changes after publication — including dates, activity details, or application deadlines — or to withdraw the announcement entirely.
4️⃣ Disclaimer of Liability
YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any such changes, updates, or cancellations made by the project coordinators.
💡 Final Note:
All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official project coordinator or programme website before applying.
