🇫🇷 Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in France 🌿 Digital Detox, Nature & Real Human Connection 📵

Constant notifications, social media pressure, algorithmic rabbit holes — and a generation increasingly anxious, distracted, and disconnected from themselves. This Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in northeastern France is a direct response to all of that. Put the phone down. Come outside. Reconnect.

Disconnect to Reconnect is an Erasmus+ funded Youth Exchange bringing together young people from Italy, France, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, and Luxembourg in the peaceful village of Rabas — a historic pilgrims’ refuge surrounded by forests and rich biodiversity, just 30 minutes from Metz. The project runs from 26 May to 3 June 2026 and is built around one clear idea: real connection begins when we stop staring at screens.

What Is This Project About?

The project explores the impact of excessive digital use on mental health, social relationships, and overall wellbeing. Through non-formal activities and intercultural exchange, participants practise digital detox, rebuild face-to-face connections, and develop healthier, more mindful technology habits. The setting — a quiet village albergue surrounded by nature — is not just a backdrop. It is part of the method.

Objectives

📵 Inspire participants to apply digital detox practices in their daily lives

🗣️ Strengthen communication skills through face-to-face interaction and shared experiences

🌳 Rebuild real connections and reconnect participants with nature

🪞 Encourage self-reflection about personal social media habits

🤖 Analyse how algorithms shape our opinions and beliefs

🧠 Raise awareness about digital overuse and attention span reduction

Activities

🌿 Non-formal workshops and activities exploring digital wellbeing and mindful tech habits

🤝 Intercultural exchange — learning from and with young people across six countries

🍽️ Intercultural Dinner on the first night — each country presents a table with traditional food, snacks, or drinks. Note: no dinner is provided by the chef on this evening — come prepared to contribute

💬 Daily reflection groups — small groups discussing activities and learning, feeding into a final workshop and Youthpass completion

🎓 Youthpass Certificate — received upon completion, recognising non-formal learning for CVs, university, and job applications

Who Should Apply?

🔹 Age: 18 to 30 years old — plus 1 group leader per country (no age limit for leaders)

🔹 6 people per country — 5 participants + 1 group leader. Gender balance in each group is expected

🔹 Genuinely interested in the project’s topic — digital wellbeing, detox, and real connection

🔹 Shares a volunteering spirit and brings a positive, motivated attitude

🔹 Newcomers to Erasmus+ are prioritised — participants who have joined more than 3 similar Erasmus+ activities in the last 3 months will not be accepted

⚠️ If privacy is a vital aspect for you, please reconsider your participation. Accommodation is collective and shared — this is intentional and part of the community-building experience.

⚠️ No alcohol is allowed at the venue. Please do not bring any.

⚠️ Reimbursement is conditional on full participation and appropriate behaviour throughout the project.

The Venue — Rabas, France

The exchange takes place in Rabas — a peaceful village in northeastern France, just 30 minutes from Metz. The venue is a historic albergue — once a pilgrims’ refuge — now hosting the group for the week. Surrounded by forests and rich biodiversity, it is a setting designed for reflection, connection, and stepping away from digital noise.

🏠 Collective accommodation with 2 separate rooms for males and females — sleeping rooms, common rooms, bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen

🍳 Meals are prepared and served by a chef — simple, home-made food. Help in the kitchen and with dishes is very much welcome

🥗 Special dietary needs (vegetarian) can be accommodated with advance notice. More complex dietary requirements may require participants to bring their own ingredients

Cost & Travel

💶 Participation fee: €40 per participant — obligatory

✈️ 100% of actual travel costs reimbursed within agreed limits — tickets must be approved by organisers before purchase. All tickets and boarding passes must be kept and presented at reimbursement

🛡️ Participants are strongly encouraged to arrange their own travel insurance. A valid European Health Insurance Card is also recommended

🚉 Closest airports to the venue: Brussels South Charleroi, Frankfurt Hahn, Luxembourg Airport, or any Paris airport

📅 Participants may arrive up to 2 days before or leave up to 2 days after the project at their own expense

💬 New to Erasmus+ and not sure how Youth Exchanges work? This complete guide to Erasmus+ covers everything from what the programme is to what you can expect as a participant: https://youthworkshub.org/15096/

Infopack & Apply

📄 Infopack: https://canva.link/qdxlvf4d84d4ysy

📋 Application Form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlO2FFowXFFz780wdalxE7FaK0DzoXWhHe3GM-Gz3qZLDuJg/formResponse

Activity Details

📅 Activity Dates: 26 May 2026 – 03 June 2026

📍 Location: Rabas, France

👤 Activity Type: Youth Exchange

Deadline

⏰ As soon as possible!

Eligible Countries

🇮🇹 Italy 🇫🇷 France 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇱 Poland 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇱🇺 Luxembourg

✋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.