Open call for young people aged 18 to 30 from Italy, Spain and Lithuania to join the Erasmus+ Youth Participation activity Future Shapers, from 1 to 8 September 2026 in Campotenese (Morano Calabro), in the heart of the Pollino National Park, Italy. The project aims to increase active citizenship among young people, promote critical thinking and fight misinformation.
About the Project
Future Shapers is an Erasmus+ Youth Participation project that began in January 2026 to revitalise civic engagement and support youth participation. This mobility isn't a stand-alone activity; it's part of a longer process that includes building a dialogue pathway with local decision-makers. During the mobility, the focus is on civic participation in local communities and critical thinking applied to media and information, through non-formal education.
Project Aims
📱 Increase young people's use of digital tools for active participation in democratic, civic and social life
🧠 Foster a critical, reflective attitude toward how information is consumed, with attention to manipulation, hate speech, populism and disinformation
🤝 Establish cooperation between decision-making bodies and young people, and develop skills in building networks with local resources and associations
Never done a Youth Exchange before? Here are 5 things you'll experience: https://youthworkshub.org/15116/
Participant Profile
🔞 Young people aged 18 to 30, eager to dive into active participation and turn ideas into real local impact
🧠 Motivated to explore civic engagement and approach media with a critical eye
⭐ People with fewer opportunities are especially encouraged to apply
🙌 Ready to fully commit as active contributors, with respect for oneself and others and a genuine interest in the topics
Eligible Countries
🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇱🇹 Lithuania
The Programme
A week of non-formal education, including:
🤝 Team building, group "pact" creation and a learning journal
🧠 Critical thinking and empathy exercises, the Tuckman experiment and a decision-makers simulation
📰 Recognising fake news, populism and advertising/information manipulation (The Reporter's Lens)
🗺️ World Café on digital and civic participation, maps as democracy tools and participation frameworks
🪜 Roger Hart's Ladder of Participation, YouthPass and project evaluation, plus a guided meditation from mobility to real life
🌙 Independent participant-led workshops, an intercultural night and self-managed evenings
Venue & Accommodation
🏔️ Rifugio La Principessa in Campotenese, in the heart of the Pollino National Park, surrounded by nature
🛏️ Triple rooms
🌱 Meals are plant-based, prepared by the Rifugio staff (inform them of allergies or dietary needs in advance)
Travel
✅ All tickets must be authorised by the sending organisation before purchase
💶 Reimbursement covers actual travel cost up to the Erasmus+ distance-based maximum: 🇮🇹 Italy €28; 🇱🇹 Lithuania €309; 🇪🇸 Spain €309
🚐 Private transport is arranged from Frascineto (CS) and Castrovillari (CS) around 7:00 PM to the venue
🚆 Only standard/second-class tickets are eligible (no first/business class, no taxis); reimbursement after the mobility once all documentation is received
✈️ You can fly to Rome, Naples or Lamezia Terme
The Details
📍 Location: Campotenese, Morano Calabro (CS), Italy (Rifugio La Principessa, Pollino National Park)
🗓️ Dates: 1 to 8 September 2026 (travel days included; arrival 1 Sept by 7 PM, departure 8 Sept with flights after 1 PM; training 2 to 7 Sept)
👥 For: 18 participants aged 18 to 30 (6 from each country)
🪪 Valid health insurance required (EHIC for EU citizens; private insurance for non-EU)
💶 Funding: accommodation and meals fully covered; travel reimbursed according to Erasmus+ rules (up to the limits above)
How to Apply
📝 Fill in the application form (linked below). Questions can be sent to lisistrataassociazione@gmail.com
Deadline
📅 30 June 2026
Links
📝 Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd36jY2B8ad9eK0KJiGzTKWiIwjE6qJFFyILfWpCPvDVP714g/viewform
📄 Infopack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H0dqyNGYIhTslhqxJwDd0HEWHJjLBLIA/view
📧 Questions: lisistrataassociazione@gmail.com
