Open call for young people aged 18 to 30 from Italy, Portugal, Romania and Spain to join the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange "Connect," from 9 to 20 September 2026 in Xàtiva (València), Spain. A non-formal learning activity all about promoting wellbeing through yoga, meditation and mindfulness, where you disconnect online and reconnect with yourself and others.
About the Organisation
ARREL D'IDEES is a youth cultural non-profit created in Gandia (Valencia) in March 2018 by a group of European Voluntary Service volunteers together with local youth who shared the same ideals and vision.
The Topic
Noticing that a lack of wellbeing is one of society's biggest issues, especially among young people, the organisers built this project to promote wellbeing through yoga and meditation. Participants get to create and facilitate their own workshops on wellbeing, mindfulness, body movement, arts, sports, creativity or related topics
New to Youth Exchanges? Here are 5 things you'll experience on one: https://youthworkshub.org/15116/
Please Read Before Applying
🧘 This youth exchange does not have a therapeutic approach in a medical or clinical sense; facilitators are not therapists or psychologists
🙌 It's mandatory to actively participate in all activities for the whole duration, and participants are invited to facilitate their own workshops
🚫 Alcohol is prohibited in the venue/accommodation
🤫 There will be a full day of silence, where everyone is invited to stay in silence
🌅 Yoga and meditation lessons happen every morning (about 1 hour 20 minutes before breakfast)
❗ Please do not come if your motivation is partying, drinking or visiting Spain
Participant Profile
🌱 Interested in the topics and trying yoga/meditation for the first time
🙌 Active participants willing to facilitate their own workshops
🧠 Open-minded, adaptable and ready to step out of their comfort zone
🇬🇧 A conversational level of English, able to communicate and express themselves
🏠 Happy to co-live 24/7 with people from other countries for 10 days
📵 Eager to disconnect online and connect with themselves and others (internet may be limited)
⭐ Preference for participants with fewer opportunities, according to Erasmus+ rules
Eligible Countries
🇮🇹 Italy, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇪🇸 Spain
Accommodation & Location
🛏️ Shared dormitories of up to 4 people at Albergue Juvenil Casablanca in Xàtiva, with shared toilets and showers
🌡️ Temperatures may range from 10°C at night to 30°C on sunny days, with humidity and some rain expected
Travelling & Insurance
💶 100% of travel costs reimbursed up to the EU distance-based maximum (flights, trains, buses or carpooling, no taxis): 🇮🇹 Italy & 🇵🇹 Portugal €309 (€417 if only by bus/train); 🇷🇴 Romania €395; 🇪🇸 Spain up to 100 km €56, 100–499 km €285 (bus/train only)
🧾 Keep and send your tickets (with the price shown) and boarding passes both ways; taxis cannot be reimbursed (ask first for exceptions)
📅 Travel within a maximum of 2 days before or after the project (arrivals not before the 7th, departures not after the 22nd)
✈️ Fly to Valencia Airport (easiest and best option) or Alicante (poor connection to Xàtiva, ask before booking); don't book a departure flight before 10:00 on 20 September
🪪 Bring your private or European Health Insurance Card
Programme Draft
🛬 Day 1: arrivals and visit to Valencia City (meeting point 19:30 in Xàtiva)
🤝 Days 2–3: welcome, presentations, ice-breakers, team building, intro to the topic and agreements
🧘 Days 4–6: yoga, meditation and participants' workshops
🥾 Day 7: yoga, meditation, free day with optional hiking
🤫 Day 8: yoga, meditation and a day of silence with artistic activities
🧘 Day 9: yoga, meditation and participants' workshops
📚 Day 10: yoga, meditation and presentation of the Erasmus+ programme
🪞 Day 11: yoga, meditation, reflection, evaluation and closing
🛫 Day 12: departures
Each morning includes about 1 hour 30 minutes of basic beginner yoga and meditation at 9 am before breakfast, with no experience required (there's even a preference for participants without experience).
What to Bring
🧴 Towel and toiletries, plus a beach towel and swimsuit (there's a pool at the venue)
💧 Your own water bottle or cup to refill
🍫 Food, traditional clothes or anything for the intercultural night (no alcohol)
🧘 Appropriate clothes and shoes for yoga (and hiking if you like)
⚡ Plenty of good energy and a positive attitude
ℹ️ No need to bring bed sheets, covers, sleeping bags or a yoga mat (mats are provided)
The Details
📍 Location: Xàtiva (València), Spain (Albergue Juvenil Casablanca)
🗓️ Dates: 9 to 20 September 2026 (travel dates included)
👥 For: 23 participants aged 18 to 30 (group leaders with no age limit) from the partner countries
💶 Funding: a non-formal learning activity co-funded by Erasmus+; accommodation and meals covered, 100% of travel reimbursed up to the limits above
How to Apply
📝 Applications are accepted until the group is complete, through the form below. Read the infopack first, and the organisers ask for personal, genuine answers rather than long AI-generated ones. Questions to arreldidees@gmail.com
Deadline
📅 As soon as possible!
Links
📝 Application form: https://forms.gle/edZCKZaf5TZaw6yn7
📄 Infopack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_HxSFwMzDkU94p465N-ZBOXPoxGYlHbv/
📧 Questions: arreldidees@gmail.com
