What if the tools that distract us could become the tools that preserve us? TALES 2.0 — Transform And Learn: Europe's Stories is a youth exchange bringing 30 young people aged 18–25 from six European countries to the stunning island of Madeira, Portugal — for 10 days of traditional crafts, AI-powered storytelling, nature adventures, and a genuine digital detox during activity hours.
🌍 About TALES 2.0
TALES 2.0 is built around a powerful idea: in a world where 96% of European youth spend an average of over two hours daily on social media, traditional storytelling, folk dances, family recipes, and handmade crafts are quietly fading. This project flips the script — instead of scrolling, participants create. Instead of consuming, they preserve. Instead of isolation, they connect.
The project is a collaboration between six partner organisations across Portugal, Malta, Turkey, Latvia, Hungary, and Romania, building on the success of TALES 1.0 in 2024.
🎯 Objectives
🧠 Increase participants' cultural knowledge and engagement through interactive workshops and digital tools
🤝 Foster intercultural dialogue and shared cultural experiences through daily teamwork
🎬 Create high-quality digital heritage content contributing to the EU's Cultural Heritage Data Space goals
📵 Decrease problematic smartphone use while promoting mindful digital habits through the Dopamine Framework
🌱 Promote cultural preservation through positive and intentional social media use
💬 Lower anxiety and improve social skills through hands-on crafting and cultural exchange
🏆 Empower participants as digital wellness and cultural ambassadors in their home communities
📅 Project Roadmap
🛬 28 May — Arrival at Quinta do Lagar, welcome activities and first challenge
🧊 29 May — Ice-breaking, project roadmap, Erasmus+ & Youthpass intro, Digital Habits Unveiled and Dopamine Framework
📽️ 30 May — Digital awareness, cultural heritage presentations, storytelling frameworks, documentary screening
🪵 31 May — AI tools introduction, building Carrinhos de Pau wooden cars with a local carpenter, traditional games exchange, beach cleanup
🌲 1 June — Fanal UNESCO forest hike, nature photography, flashmob choreography brainstorming
🎨 2 June — Country tokens workshop, wooden car construction Phase 2, collaboration with Colony of Creators NGO, mid-term evaluation
🌿 3 June — Fully vegan Green Day, European values workshop, visual storytelling and Stories from My Homecreation
📡 4 June — Digital communication workshop, Porto Moniz heritage site visit, public exhibition preparation
🎭 5 June — Public flashmob performance and makers market showcase in Funchal city centre
🏁 6 June — Carrinhos de Pau race, Câmara de Lobos visit, local cultural story collection
📝 7 June — Personal letters to future selves, SMART dissemination plan, Youthpass certificate, farewell
🏡 Accommodation — Quinta do Lagar
Participants will stay at Quinta do Lagar, a secluded farm in Santo da Serra, surrounded by nature and dedicated exclusively to this project.
🛏️ Rooms of 3–4 people, organised for comfort, gender-appropriate arrangements, and intercultural mixing
🍳 Fully equipped kitchen for team-prepared breakfasts and coffee breaks
🌳 Outdoor green spaces, training rooms, and common social areas for evening gatherings
♻️ Recycling points and sustainable waste management on site
🌡️ Expect temperatures of 18–25°C — Madeira is known as the Island of Eternal Spring, though highland evenings can be cool, so pack layers
📍 Quinta do Lagar: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eKPvtZHkvGkzA4kW7
✈️ Travel & Reimbursement
🗓️ Travel dates: 28 May (arrival) and 8 June (departure) 2026
🚌 Airport transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Airport on 28 May — participants must be at the airport by 18:00
🧳 Each participant is entitled to priority cabin luggage (max 55x40x23 cm + free carry-on)
💶 Travel costs reimbursed in Euros up to a maximum limit upon submission of tickets and boarding passes
⚠️ Do not purchase tickets before receiving approval from the hosting team
🇹🇷 Turkish participants must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months prior to travel — visa support will be coordinated by the hosting team
🛡️ Insurance & Safety
🏥 Additional project insurance covers medical emergencies, emergency repatriation, travel disruptions, and personal liability
🧠 A local psychologist is on call with a 5-minute response throughout the entire exchange
🩺 All team leaders hold first aid experience
📋 A confidential health questionnaire will be completed during the preparation phase covering allergies, dietary needs, and any conditions requiring support
🆔 EU participants must bring a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
📋 What You'll Learn & Use
🤖 AI-enhanced digital storytelling tools — GPTs, LLMs, and Diffusion Models
🪵 Traditional crafts — Carrinhos de Pau wooden cars and Bonecos de Massa dough figures with local artisans
💃 Cultural evenings, flashmob choreography, and traditional dances from across Europe
📵 Mindful Tech Toolkit — a framework for healthier digital habits you take home with you
📜 Youthpass certificate upon completion
🔎 New to Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges and not sure how the programme works? Everything — from how projects are planned to what Erasmus+ actually covers — is clearly explained here: https://youthworkshub.org/15107/
👤 Who Should Apply
This exchange is for young people aged 18–25 who are curious, creative, and ready to challenge their relationship with technology. You're the right fit if you:
🌍 Have a genuine interest in exploring and preserving cultural heritage — yours and others'
📵 Recognise you spend too much time on your phone and want to understand why and how to change that
🤖 Are eager to learn digital storytelling using AI tools
🎭 Want to share your cultural traditions — dances, food, stories, crafts — with people across Europe
💪 Are willing to fully engage: plan, design, create, reflect, and lead
🏘️ Come from areas with low cultural participation or face barriers to opportunity
🗣️ Working language is English — no advanced level required, willingness to communicate is what matters
⚠️ Important: During activity hours from 09:00 to 20:00, no phones will be used. No exceptions.
Inclusion commitment: At least 50% of participants will come from backgrounds with fewer opportunities — if you face social, economic, geographical, health-related, or cultural barriers, you are especially encouraged to apply.
👥 Team Structure
Each country sends 4 participants + 1 team leader (aged 25+). Team leaders are experienced in Erasmus+ youth work and will guide and support their teams before, during, and after the exchange.
🌍 Eligible Countries
🇵🇹 Portugal 🇱🇻 Latvia 🇹🇷 Türkiye 🇲🇹 Malta 🇷🇴 Romania 🇭🇺 Hungary
📅 Activity Dates
🗓️ Activity dates: 29 May — 7 June 2026
🛬 Travel dates: 28 May (arrival) — 8 June (departure) 2026
📍 Santo da Serra, Madeira Island, Portugal
⏰ Deadline
As soon as possible!
📬 How to Apply
📝 Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScItynSdA0uTCjuhpkOie7yoceeFFGz-5_rc0rnstMNgObs7g/viewform
📎 Infopack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19mMEpXCQzUOpU7UKMCpwYQDLjHDpbQGK/view?usp=sharing
✋Important Notice
Youth Works Hub does not represent or act on behalf of any organization listed on this platform. All project details are sourced directly from official ESC and Erasmus+ databases. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official project page or contact the hosting organization directly. Youth Works Hub is not responsible for any changes made to project details after publication.
