Are you ready to use music as a universal language for inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and connection? Sounds of Cultures is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange that turns Tuzla, in the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, into an imagined perfect place for young people: a week of art, freedom, and intercultural exchange, built on music and respect towards all cultures, ideas, and realities. It brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to explore, share, and co-create music inspired by their own cultural traditions.
Through immersive, music-based activities, participants develop their musical skills, overcome personal and creative barriers, and strengthen their confidence and creativity, while helping to erase boundaries and prejudice among young people across the region.
๐ผ Project Info
Sounds of Cultures exists for a week as a free space where music and mutual understanding come first. The pillars of the project are music and respect towards all cultures, ideas, and realities, and everything is designed so that young people, especially those without access to formal musical education, can create together as equals.
๐ฏ Main Objectives
๐ต Music and cultural exchange
๐ค Peer-to-peer learning and the exchange of other non-formal learning methods
๐ Strengthening the network of young people
๐๏ธ Contributing to local and regional social cohesion
๐๏ธ Erasing boundaries and prejudice among young people
๐ป Discussing the future of traditional music and the preservation of traditional music from different regions or countries
โจ Creating a free space for creativity
๐ถ Working together to build a repertoire of traditional music
๐ฌ Intercultural dialogue
๐ค Activities
๐ ๏ธ Workshops using non-formal learning methods
๐ธ Music exchange and rehearsals
๐๏ธ Recording sessions
๐๏ธ Preservation of culture and intangible heritage
๐ถ Concerts
๐จ Staying in the region and drawn to art as a tool for connection? This solidarity placement lives it daily: ESC Volunteering in ๐ท๐ธ Serbia ๐จ Teach French Through Art, Music & Play in Novi Sad ๐ญ โ https://youthworkshub.org/19192
๐ฅ Group Composition and Requirements
Each national team consists of:
๐ธ 4 participants aged 16 to 30
๐งโ๐ซ 1 group leader aged 18 or over
Participant requirements:
๐ Age 16 to 30 years old (group leaders must be 18+)
๐ฃ๏ธ Basic English communication skills
๐ป A musical focus: the organisers are building a balanced ensemble and prioritise participants who play traditional and melodic instruments, as percussion and guitars are already well represented; each group is kindly asked to include at least one singer
Each national team must have at least 4 participants and one leader from the same country, sent by an NGO with an OID number.
๐ Important Notes and Visas
A valid Schengen visa or a Russian passport is a must for Armenian participants. Please plan any visa requirements well in advance.
๐๏ธ Who Are We?
The exchange is organised by akustikUm (Muziฤka omladina BiH) in Tuzla and Association Ballade in Strasbourg, two music-focused organisations that promote access to culture for all. With twenty years of partnership, they organise international Erasmus+ projects, cultural events, and youth exchanges that bring together participants from different countries to learn and share music, especially those who do not have access to formal musical education.
๐ Venue, Food and Accommodation
The activities take place at Kuฤa plamena mira (Peace Flame House), a sociocultural centre in the heart of Tuzla's natural resort area.
๐จ Participants stay at Hotel Miris dunja 88 in the city centre, a 10-minute walk from the daily activities
๐ฝ๏ธ Breakfasts are served in the hotel, while lunches and dinners take place in various restaurants and venues, with menus varied and tailored to the preferences (vegetarian and others) indicated in the application
โ๏ธ Transportation
The closest airport is Tuzla, followed by Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Belgrade, and Zagreb. There are many Wizz Air connections to Tuzla and many Ryanair connections to Sarajevo. Tuzla is well connected to the region by bus, as it has no railway, but note that there are no buses to Sarajevo after 6pm. Let the organisers know your itinerary so they can welcome you on arrival, and keep all tickets, invoices, and boarding passes, as they are required for reimbursement.
๐ถ Travel Reimbursement
The project covers the full cost of your round-trip travel between your place of residence and Tuzla, calculated in accordance with the 2026 Erasmus+ fares, with food, accommodation, and participation also covered. Maximum reimbursement depends on the travel distance:
๐ 10โ99 km: โฌ56 green / โฌ28 non-green
๐ 100โ499 km: โฌ285 green / โฌ211 non-green
โ๏ธ 500โ1999 km: โฌ417 green / โฌ309 non-green
โ๏ธ 2000โ2999 km: โฌ535 green / โฌ395 non-green
Travel documents must be submitted to Association Ballade in one PDF file, including an Excel file summarising expenses and all bills, tickets, and boarding passes.
๐ญ Also curious about culture and inclusion in the Balkans? This placement blends creativity with belonging: ESC Volunteering in ๐ฆ๐ฑ Albania ๐จ Beyond Barriers โ Culture & Inclusion with French Language Workshops ๐ฟ โ https://youthworkshub.org/19677
๐ Rules of the Exchange
๐ซ Do not use, carry, or possess any kind of drugs at any time during travel or stay
๐ท Do not drink alcohol during the working hours of the programme, and avoid excessive drinking
๐ถ Accept responsibility to pay for any damage caused to other people or material assets
๐ธ Notify the host organisation in advance if you do not consent to the use of photographs for dissemination
โฐ Respect the activity timetable, be punctual and present, and respect the ideas, opinions, and cultural differences of others
๐จ Follow local rules and the rules of the accommodation site
Participants who do not comply with these rules, or do not submit their travel documents correctly, will not be reimbursed.
๐ Discover Tuzla
Tuzla, in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a gentle city of cobbled streets and salt-scented air, famous for its shimmering Pannonian Lakes and warm amber sunsets. A few local highlights:
๐ง Relax at the Pannonian Lakes, Europe's only saltwater lakes located in a city centre
๐๏ธ Wander through the Old Town (Stari Grad), with its Ottoman architecture, cosy cafรฉs, and Bosnian coffee
๐ง Explore the Salt Square (Trg Slobode), the largest square in Bosnia and Herzegovina, lively and beautifully lit at night
๐ณ Stroll through Slana Banja Park, a green oasis with panoramic views
๐ฉ How to Apply
Read the infopack, then complete the online application form. Selection prioritises a balanced musical ensemble, so highlight your instrument and whether you can sing.
โฐ Deadline
As soon as possible!
๐ Links
๐ Infopack: https://fioh-ngo.com/2026/08/03/%f0%9f%8e%b5-erasmus-youth-exchange-sounds-of-cultures/
๐ Application form: https://b24-hiozxe.bitrix24site.ru/crm_form_ahjsg/
โ ๏ธ Important Notice
Youth Works Hub is not the organiser, partner, or representative of the listed projects. This listing is shared for information only, based on details from the source. Deadlines, eligible countries, dates, and other details may change or be withdrawn at any time, and all funding, reimbursements, and allowances are set by the project coordinator or National Agency. Applications go directly to the coordinator or hosting organisation through the official link. Listings may include third-party links (ESC Portal, infopacks, forms) that Youth Works Hub does not control. Always verify the details on the official project page before applying.
