Cyberbullying. Cultural bullying. Misinformation spreading faster than the truth. These aren't abstract problems โ they affect young people every day, and they hit hardest those who already have fewer opportunities. Critical Connections is an Erasmus+ youth exchange bringing together 36 young people from five countries in Croatia to build the critical thinking, media literacy, and anti-bullying competences needed to make a real difference โ in the room and back home.
๐ฏ About the Project
Organised by Udruga za osnaลพivanje mladih Uroboros (Croatia), Critical Connections responds to daily challenges young people face around misinformation, cyberbullying, and cultural bullying. Through non-formal education, peer learning, and intercultural exchange, participants will leave with practical tools, a joint digital toolkit, and a shared campaign ready to multiply in their local communities.
๐ Objectives
๐ง Strengthen critical thinking and media literacy among young people from five countries
๐ค Build empathy and anti-bullying competences through peer-led workshops โ forum theatre, role-plays, and case studies
๐ Foster intercultural dialogue through cultural evenings, mixed-nationality group tasks, and storytelling
๐ฌ Develop communication, facilitation, and leadership skills โ each participant leads or co-facilitates at least one session
๐ฃ Multiply results through a joint digital campaign, a shared toolkit, and concrete local follow-up initiatives
๐ Activities
๐ญ Workshops on critical thinking, media literacy, and bullying prevention using forum theatre, intercultural storytelling, and debate
๐ฑ #ThinkTwiceActWise Campaign โ designed and implemented by participants using videos, infographics, and social media content
๐ ๏ธ Critical Connections Digital Toolkit โ collaboratively created by all national groups, compiling tested methods for bullying prevention and media literacy
๐ Daily reflection sessions connecting learning with Youthpass competences
๐ Accommodation
Participants stay at Studentski centar Osijek โ located in the wider city centre of Osijek, 2km from the city centre. Rooms with two beds; every two rooms share one bathroom. All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and all planned activities are provided on site.
โ๏ธ Getting to Osijek
The most common route is via Zagreb:
โ๏ธ Fly to Franjo Tuฤman Airport (ZAG) โ airport shuttle to Zagreb Central Bus Station โ direct bus to Osijek (approximately 3.5โ4 hours)
โ ๏ธ Cash only for some transport options โ plan accordingly
โ๏ธ Travel Reimbursement
๐ถ Croatia โ โฌ28
๐ถ Germany โ โฌ309
๐ถ Portugal โ โฌ395
๐ถ Serbia โ โฌ211
๐ถ Tรผrkiye โ โฌ309
Reimbursement is by bank transfer after the exchange upon submission of all original tickets, boarding passes, invoices, and receipts. Missing tickets will not be reimbursed. Taxi is not eligible.
โ ๏ธ Before purchasing tickets, send your travel plan to udrugauroboros@gmail.com for approval.
๐ What to Bring
๐งด Personal towels, hygiene items, and any necessary medication
๐ป Laptop or tablet if available โ useful for campaign and digital booklet creation
๐ Cultural items, food, or small gifts for the intercultural evening
๐ช A positive attitude, openness, and motivation to contribute actively
๐ค Who Should Apply
This exchange is open to young people aged 18โ30 (group leaders can be older) from Croatia, Germany, Portugal, Serbia, and Tรผrkiye. Each national team consists of 6 participants + 1 group leader. Participants should be open-minded, motivated, and interested in misinformation, cyberbullying, and cultural bullying. Newcomers to Erasmus+ are welcomed.
๐ New to Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges? Everything you need to know about how the programme works is right here: https://youthworkshub.org/15107/
๐ Eligible Countries
๐ญ๐ท Croatia ๐ฉ๐ช Germany ๐ต๐น Portugal ๐ท๐ธ Serbia ๐น๐ท Tรผrkiye
๐ Activity Dates
๐๏ธ 7 โ 15 June 2026 (including travel days)
๐ Osijek, Croatia
โฐ Deadline
1 May 2026 (selection results by 5 May 2026)
๐ฌ How to Apply
๐ Application Form: https://forms.gle/9rN4wymuFy4h3g7YA
๐ Infopack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mvOYxgdvRqEQOg_xV6ssBYOjiomUa8F2/view
๐ @udruga.uroboros
โImportant 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.
