Stories change things. They challenge stereotypes, amplify unheard voices, and shift public opinion in ways that data and arguments rarely can. STORY-ACT: Stories for Change is an Erasmus+ KA154 youth participation project, and this study visit in İzmir, Türkiye is its third and final mobility — bringing participants face to face with how civic storytelling works in real communities, organisations, and youth initiatives on the ground.
🎯 About STORY-ACT
STORY-ACT is a collaboration between four youth organisations from Austria, Romania, Spain, and Türkiye, delivered through three international mobilities:
🇦🇹 "The Art of Storytelling for Change" — Vienna, Austria (October 2025)
🇷🇴 "Storytelling in Action" — Cluj-Napoca, Romania (January 2026)
🇹🇷 "Civic Storytelling" — İzmir, Türkiye (June 2026) ← this mobility
🏙️ About the Study Visit
This mobility is designed as a 4-day study visit combining interactive workshops, field visits to local NGOs and community initiatives, and meetings with professionals working in storytelling, advocacy, and communication. After exploring personal storytelling in Austria and advocacy storytelling in Romania, participants now step into real-life civic storytelling practices in İzmir.
📋 What You'll Do
🎭 Participate in interactive workshops on civic storytelling and social impact
🏘️ Join field visits to local NGOs, community initiatives, and youth organisations across İzmir
🤝 Meet professionals working in storytelling, advocacy, and communication
🔍 Take part in reflection sessions to connect learning with personal and local contexts
💡 Design your own storytelling-based ideas and actions to bring back to your community
🎁 What's Covered
✅ Fully funded — travel, accommodation, food, and all programme activities covered 100%
🏠 Accommodation at Otel Vesta Fuar, İzmir — shared rooms. Main sessions take place at the hotel's training facilities
🍽️ Breakfast provided at the hotel — other meals arranged at the hotel or nearby locations during visits
🚌 All local transport related to the mobility covered
✈️ Travel costs reimbursed per country according to Erasmus+ distance rules:
💶 Austria — €309
💶 Romania — €309
💶 Spain — €395
💶 Türkiye — €50
⚠️ Keep all tickets and boarding passes — reimbursement is based on the most reasonable and cost-effective route, up to the country limit.
🛬 Getting to the Venue
Nearest airport: İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)
🚆 Take the İZBAN suburban train from the airport towards Aliağa — get off at Kemer station — approximately 10–15 minute walk to Vesta Fuar Hotel. Total journey: around 40–45 minutes.
🚕 Alternatively, taxi from the airport takes approximately 25–30 minutes.
⚠️ Practical Notes
🌡️ June in İzmir means warm and sunny weather — bring light clothes, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes
💧 Tap water is not drinkable — bring a reusable water bottle
💱 Local currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY) — approximately 1€ = 51 TRY
🏥 Valid health and travel insurance required
📋 After the Study Visit
Participants are encouraged to:
🏘️ Organise small storytelling or discussion sessions in their communities
🤝 Stay connected with other participants and support each other's initiatives
📣 Contribute stories and reflections to the STORY-ACT digital campaign
👤 Who Should Apply
This study visit is for 16–18 young people aged 18–30 from Austria, Romania, Spain, and Türkiye who are:
🎭 Curious about storytelling and social change
🗳️ Interested in youth participation and civic engagement
🌍 Open to intercultural learning and collaboration
💬 Comfortable communicating in English
No expertise required — just curiosity and motivation.
Participants are selected by the four partner organisations. Contact the sending organisation in your country:
📧 Austria — ANGA: projects@arifai.org
📧 Romania — Green Hope: radu@green-hope.org
📧 Spain — Entrejuegos: asociacionentrejuegos@gmail.com
📧 Türkiye — Experiential Training Center: ilknur@demturkey.com
💡 Want to understand how Erasmus+ youth participation projects work? A clear overview of the programme is right here: https://youthworkshub.org/15096/
🌍 Eligible Countries
🇦🇹 Austria 🇷🇴 Romania 🇪🇸 Spain 🇹🇷 Türkiye
📅 Activity Dates
🛬 Travel days: 2 and 7 June 2026
🗓️ Working days: 3 — 6 June 2026
📍 İzmir, Türkiye
⏰ Deadline
15 May 2026
📬 How to Apply
📝 Application Form: https://forms.gle/RjqtskZFqS5PeSmj9
📎 Infopack: https://t.ly/lfsVz
✋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.
