๐ Key Information
Activity โญ๏ธ Title
APPETISER - An introduction to international youth work
Activity ๐ถ Type | ๐ Dates | ๐Location
Training Course
21-25 September 2026 | Sofia, Bulgaria
๐ Erasmus+ explained โ the complete beginner's guide to Europe's largest youth programme.Millions of young people have taken part in Erasmus+ since its launch, but many still don't fully understand what the programme actually includes, who it's for, or how to get involved. This in-depth guide breaks down everything: the different types of mobility, funding opportunities, eligibility criteria, and what you can realistically expect from participating. If you've ever wondered whether Erasmus+ is right for you, this guide gives you all the answers in one place. ๐ https://youthworkshub.org/15096/
โ๏ธWhat Is This Training About?
Appetiser is a training course which aims to bring together youth workers/ leaders, who work with young people in different parts of Europe.
๐๏ธ How Erasmus+ youth projects create lasting change in local communities. The impact of Erasmus+ goes far beyond the individuals who participate. Local communities, host organisations, and even entire neighbourhoods are shaped by the projects that take place within them. This article explores the broader social impact of Erasmus+ youth exchanges โ from building intercultural understanding to empowering grassroots organisations โ and makes a compelling case for why these projects matter beyond the personal level. ๐ https://youthworkshub.org/3595/
โน๏ธ Description About The Opportunity
Target group
Appetiser aims at youth leaders and youth workers working actively at the local and/or national level willing to take their activities international. Appetiser is mainly addressed to newcomers, who do not have yet international youth work experience. It is preferred, but not necessary, that participants should come from an organisation that is newcomer to European mobility programmes. It can also be possible that an organisation, which is already implementing international activities, can send a representative who does not have yet international youth work experience. Thus, important criteria for participation to this training course are:
โ Participants should have some experience in developing youth activities in local/national level;
โ Participants should not have participated in other network trainings and/or in multiple international youth activities;
โ Participants should be motivated and consider to broaden their organisationโs activities into international context;
โ Participants have to be able to communicate in English and be at least 18 years old.
Aims and objectives
To give a strong positive fi rst experience of international youth work and motivate participants to use the Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps/Volunteering Programmes. This aim summarises the entire idea of the training โ to give a feeling of what it means to work with young people in an international setting. Leaving all explanations and knowledge aside it is about giving a space for participants to explore the advantages of โinternationalityโ themselves.
Appetiser is designed to achieve the following objectives:
โ To familiarise participants with non-formal and intercultural learning and have a concrete example of how this can be done.
โ To enjoy their fi rst intercultural youth project experience.
โ To enable participants to share their local youth activities and related experience, within an international youth work context.
โ To explore possibilities of support available for international youth activities offered by the Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps Programmes.
โ To analyse examples of good quality youth projects supported by the Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps Programmes.
โ To better understand how to benefi t from the international youth work context in participants' local practice.
Former participants testimonies
The former participants have left appreciative quotes about their learning experience and course impact:
โThe course was very benefi cial for me. I feel I am more ready than ever to apply for youth programme projects.โ
โMy knowledge and skills have deepened because of the well-structured, section-by-section concept of the course. My attitudes have changed slightly because I have a deeper understanding of things.โ
โI wish I had the opportunity to participate in this before I wrote my fi rst project application. I learned a lot, don't get me wrong, but I would have submitted a better application the fi rst time.โ
Training overview
This Training Course is
for 35 participants
from KOSOVO * UN RESOLUTION, Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries 
and recommended for
Youth workers, Youth leaders, Youth coaches, Newcomers who do not have yet international youth work experience
Working language(s):
English
Organiser:
Human Recourse Development Centre Bulgarian National Agency (National Agency)
For 27 years, the Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) has been recognized as a successful national structure for managing European educational programmes. Since 1999, the HRDC is actively involved in the management and implementation of European educational programmes and initiatives. Gradually, the center emerged with its own recognizable image among the national educational community at all levels, not only as an administrator of EU funded programmes, but above all as a platform for exchange of innovative educational methods and good practices to address the challenges arising in the education and training system.
โ 10 practical tips to write a stronger Erasmus+ or ESC application and actually get selected. With growing competition for spots in Erasmus+ and ESC projects, a well-crafted application can genuinely make or break your chances. This guide shares 10 concrete, actionable tips based on what selection committees actually look for โ covering everything from how to frame your motivation to the common mistakes that get applications rejected. If you're serious about getting selected, take the time to read this before you hit submit. ๐ https://youthworkshub.org/8396/
๐ฅ Contact
Contact for questions:
Stefan Gruev, Blaga Evtimova, Daria Hadjiiska
E-Mail:
Phone: +359 9155043
๐ถ Costs
Participation fee
This project is financed by the participating National Agencies (NAs) of the Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme. The participation fee varies from country to country. Please contact your National Agency or SALTO Resource Centre (SALTO) to learn more about the participation fee for participants from your country.
Accommodation and food
The hosting NA of this offer will organize the accommodation and covers the costs for accommodation and food.
Travel reimbursement
Please contact your NA or SALTO in order to know whether they would support your travel costs. If yes, after being selected, get in touch with your NA or SALTO again to learn more about the overall procedure to arrange the booking of your travel tickets and the reimbursement of your travel expenses.
๐ Certificate
Participants are entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate from the organiser, for recognition of their competence development during the activity. Read more about Youthpass:
https://youthworkshub.org/15122
โ ๏ธ Important Dates
Application deadline (24h UTC): 20 July 2026
Date of selection: 16 August 2026
๐ Official Link
๐๏ธ Documents
APPETISER daily programme table.pdf
Appetiser Participants Info Pack-2.pdf
๏ปฟ๐ How every Erasmus+ group chat starts vs. how it ends โ a journey in messages. If you've ever been part of an Erasmus+ project group chat, you already know the energy: the awkward introductions, the overenthusiastic emojis, the plans that never happen, and the inside jokes that follow you for years. This article captures the evolution of every Erasmus+ group dynamic with humour and honesty โ and if you haven't experienced it yet, consider this your preview of what's coming. ๐ https://youthworkshub.org/15112/
๐ The real story behind every Erasmus+ and ESC journey โ what happens before, during, and after.Every Erasmus+ and ESC project has an official timeline: application, preparation, mobility, evaluation. But the real story is much richer than that. This article takes you through what genuinely happens at each stage of a project's life โ the doubts, the breakthroughs, the unexpected friendships, and the quiet moments that change everything. A deeply human look at what these programmes mean beyond the paperwork. ๐ https://youthworkshub.org/15180/
๐จ How to spot a real Erasmus+ or ESC project โ and protect yourself from fake offers. As the popularity of Erasmus+ and ESC grows, so does the number of fraudulent offers mimicking legitimate projects. Fake calls, scam organisations, and misleading listings can be difficult to identify โ especially for first-time applicants. This guide gives you the specific red flags to watch for, the verification steps you should always take, and the key differences between genuine EU-funded projects and imitations. Stay informed, stay safe. ๐ https://youthworkshub.org/15135/
โ ๏ธ Important Notice
1๏ธโฃ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the source.
2๏ธโฃ No Affiliation
YouthWorks Hub is not the organiser, partner, or representative of the projects listed. All applications must be submitted directly to the project coordinator or hosting organisation through the original link, email, etc.
3๏ธโฃ Content May Change
The project coordinator is solely responsible for the accuracy and details of the opportunity. Deadlines, eligible countries, activity dates, and other details may change, or the announcement may be withdrawn entirely, at any time after publication. Always check the original link before applying.
4๏ธโฃ Funding
All funding, travel reimbursements, and allowances are determined and provided by the project coordinator or National Agency. YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any payments or financial matters.
5๏ธโฃ External Links
Listings may contain links to third-party websites, forms, or documents (e.g. the ESC Portal, infopacks, application forms). YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or security of these external sources.
๐ก Final Note: All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official project coordinator or programme website before applying.
