🇭🇺 Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Hungary 🍶 We Are Alive 🌿 Fermentation, Ecology & Community, Etyek 🇭🇺
What if fermentation — the ancient art of transforming living ingredients — could also transform communities? "We Are Alive!" is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Etyek, a charming village near Budapest, inviting young people from Italy, France, and Hungary to explore fermentation as a lens for sustainability, food culture, ecology, and connection. From hands-on workshops with experts to visits to permaculture farms and a community fermentation expo, this is a fully-funded living and learning experience unlike any other.
🌍 Did You Know? Etyek is a picturesque wine village just 30 kilometres west of Budapest, renowned for its cellars, vineyards, and vibrant local food culture. It sits in a UNESCO-recognised cultural landscape and has become a hub for eco-learning and sustainable living projects — making it the perfect setting for an exchange centred on fermentation, community, and regenerative food practices.
What Will You Do?
🍶 Explore traditional and modern fermentation practices — from kombucha and kimchi to sourdough and kefir — through workshops led by experts
🌿 Reflect on the connections between food, ecology, cultural heritage, and community resilience
🔬 Discover the science of fermentation, the microbiome, and the role of microbes in ecosystems and human wellbeing
🎪 Help prepare and host a community Fermentation Expo, welcoming the local community to share in the learning
🌱 Visit a local permaculture farm and community gardens to learn about regenerative food systems in practice
🍽️ Enjoy sustainable meals and probiotic drinks from local producers and participate in shared outdoor cooking
♻️ Exchange experiences on avoiding food waste and encouraging eco-friendly lifestyles among young people
🌍 Connect with an international group and develop future collaborations on local sustainability projects
🏙️ Enjoy free time and a dinner out in Budapest as part of the programme
🎓 Participate in Youthpass and dissemination activities to document and share your learning
🌍 Did You Know? Fermentation is one of humanity's oldest biotechnologies — practised for over 10,000 years across every culture on Earth. Today, scientists are rediscovering its profound links to gut health, biodiversity, and sustainable food systems. Fermented foods like miso, yogurt, kimchi, and sourdough are not just culinary traditions — they are living ecosystems that connect human communities to the microbial world around them.
Who Can Apply?
🎂 Aged 18 to 30 — or 30+ if applying as a group leader
🌍 Residing in Italy, France, or Hungary
🍶 Curious about fermentation, sustainable food systems, ecology, and community-based living
🤝 Open to intercultural exchange and hands-on, participatory learning experiences
🌿 Motivated to explore eco-lifestyles and contribute to local sustainability initiatives
🏕️ Comfortable with shared dormitory accommodation and communal daily life
🏥 Must bring a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — mandatory for all participants
Accommodation, Food & Travel
🏠 Shared accommodation in a restored old Swabian house in Etyek — rooms of 3 to 6 beds, 5 showers and toilets on site, washing machine available, Wi-Fi and electricity provided
🌱 An inspiring permaculture garden, compost areas, and a cosy fireplace on site
🍽️ Plant-based meals provided — cooking takes place in a covered outdoor shared kitchen
🏥 A pharmacy and supermarket are within walking distance
✈️ Travel costs covered and reimbursed after the programme — green travel encouraged: up to €285 (10–499 km) / €417 (500–1999 km); standard travel: €211 / €309 for the same distances
🏥 European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is mandatory — travel insurance is also strongly recommended
Key Information
Eligible Countries
🇮🇹 Italy, 🇫🇷 France, 🇭🇺 Hungary
Application Link
⚠️ Important Notice
1️⃣ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the opportunity organiser.
2️⃣ Responsibility for Content
The organiser is solely responsible for the accuracy, details, and updates of the opportunity content.
3️⃣ Right to Modify or Withdraw
Organisations reserve the right to make changes after publication — including eligibility criteria, conditions, or 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 organiser.
💡 Final Note:
All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official organiser or programme website before applying.
