Every journey begins with a story. Every day, millions of people leave their homes in search of safety, education, work or a better future. Behind every migration journey there is a human story, yet these stories are often reduced to stereotypes or political debates. Crossroads was created to change this perspective. Crossroads is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange that gathers 37 participants from 6 countries to explore migration through dialogue, creativity and shared experiences.
The Idea Behind
Through theatre, storytelling, simulations, art, digital media and intercultural dialogue, participants will explore what belonging really means and how young people can contribute to building more welcoming communities. For 7 days, young people from countries with different migration realities will live, learn and create together through non-formal education. Some participants come from countries where many young people leave, others come from countries that receive migrants every day. By meeting face to face, participants will discover that migration is not simply a political issue but a shared human experience. The project is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and implemented by an international partnership of organisations from Italy, France, Hungary, Lithuania, Georgia and Ukraine.
Objectives
🌍 Understand migration beyond statistics, exploring its realities from both countries of departure and countries of arrival
🤝 Build empathy through experience via simulations, storytelling, role-playing and intercultural encounters
💬 Challenge stereotypes and encourage dialogue in safe spaces where diversity is valued
🎨 Develop creative and digital skills through visual storytelling, digital campaigns, social media and video production
🌱 Empower young people from different backgrounds to gain confidence and become active members of their communities
🇪🇺 Strengthen European citizenship by discovering how migration connects every European country
📚 Experience the power of non-formal education through participation, cooperation and reflection
🤝 Also open now: ESC Volunteering in 🇮🇹 Italy 🤝 Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers → https://youthworkshub.org/21563
Learn by Doing
At Crossroads, participants do not just attend activities, they help create them. Throughout the week, everyone takes on an active role:
🔥 Lead energisers and ice-breakers in small international teams
🗣️ Co-facilitate workshops and discussions with the support of experienced facilitators and group leaders
📝 Run daily reflection groups and document learning for the Youthpass process
🎬 Join thematic teams according to their interests: Media & Digital (create videos, design visuals, take photos, manage social media), Eco Team (promote sustainable practices and recycling), Well-being & Inclusion (support the buddy system and welcoming spaces), and Logistics & Events (room setups, timekeeping, preparation of the final public event)
🎭 Create meaningful project outputs, including short videos, digital stories, theatre performances, photo essays and a practical booklet on how to talk about migration with young people
📣 Design and deliver the final dissemination event, presenting the project's messages, methods and creative outputs to local organisations and the wider community
Working Methods
🎭 Simulations and role plays to understand the experiences, challenges and choices faced by displaced people
🎨 Creative workshops exploring migration and identity through theatre, storytelling, music, photography and art
💻 Digital learning creating videos, digital stories and campaigns using tools such as Canva, Padlet and social media
💬 Debates and discussions on migration, democracy, misinformation, climate change and other topics affecting today's Europe
🌍 Intercultural evenings discovering the cultures, traditions, food and music of participating countries
🪞 Reflection groups with daily guided reflections to process experiences and track learning through Youthpass
Eligible Countries
This youth exchange is open to participants from:
🇮🇹 Italy
🇫🇷 France
🇱🇹 Lithuania
🇭🇺 Hungary
🇬🇪 Georgia
🇺🇦 Ukraine
Who Can Apply
✔️ Young people between 18 and 25 years old (no previous Erasmus+ experience is required)
✔️ National Group Leaders 18+ with previous experience in youth work, Erasmus+ projects or non-formal education
✔️ People interested in intercultural dialogue, migration and inclusion
✔️ Willing to actively participate throughout the entire exchange
✔️ Want to create positive change in their communities
The project especially welcomes participants with fewer opportunities, including young people from rural areas, NEETs, migrants, displaced youth and other groups facing social or economic barriers.
🎙️ You might also like: ESC Volunteering in 🇮🇹 Italy 🎙️ Radio and Media Production → https://youthworkshub.org/21564
Project Steps
🖥️ Preparation (September 2026): online preparatory meetings to establish connection within participants, group leaders and facilitators, address questions and explain pre-departure tasks
🌍 Youth Exchange (20 to 27 October 2026): working in international teams, participants explore migration through dialogue, storytelling and digital tools, develop new competences and create meaningful outputs presented during the final dissemination event
🔁 Follow-up (November to December 2026): upon return, participants support the dissemination of the project online and organise one local action back in their country together with the support of their Sending Organisation
The Venue
The Youth Exchange will take place at I.S.M.S. Le Sorgenti, Comunità Emmanuel, a peaceful venue surrounded by nature, located approximately 6 km outside of Lecce. It is part of the Emmanuel Foundation, a long-established network of social organisations and cooperatives working in social inclusion, migration, addiction recovery and community development, with extensive experience hosting international groups and Erasmus+ projects. Accommodation is provided in rooms for 3 or 4 people with private bathrooms, and basic equipment like sheets, blankets and towels is provided. There is an on-site kitchen with fresh meals, and outdoor areas for reflection and connection. The venue is located about 6 km from Lecce city centre and 4 km from the closest supermarket. As part of the programme, participants will have a guided tour of the Foundation's facilities and learn about its social initiatives, including its work with migrants. Please note that part of Le Sorgenti serves as a recovery centre for people fighting addictions, so no alcohol is allowed on the territory of the facilities.
What Is Covered
Travel costs, as well as accommodation, food, and the programme itself are co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme. According to Erasmus+ regulations, participants must travel from their country of residence to the venue and back, with no alternative routes, and no late arrivals or early departures. To be entitled to reimbursement, you must participate fully in the 3 steps of the project: preparation, dissemination and follow-up. Travel costs are reimbursed up to the maximum amounts:
✈️ Georgia: 370 EUR
✈️ France: 285 EUR
✈️ Ukraine: 285 EUR
✈️ Hungary: 285 EUR
✈️ Lithuania: 285 EUR
✈️ Italy: 28 EUR
A transfer will be provided between the train or bus station in Lecce and the venue, and its cost is already deducted from the maximum travel budget. According to Erasmus+ regulation, you can start your travel up to 48h before arrival day and arrive back to your country the latest 48h after departure day.
How to Apply
Deadline for applications: 20 September 2026. Every participant joins Crossroads through a trusted partner organisation in their own country (Parcours le Monde IDF in France, Actio Catholica Patria in Lithuania, Puentes Hungary in Hungary, BITISI in Georgia and Phoenix Social Youth Group in Ukraine), so reach out to your local partner who will support you. To apply, submit your CV and motivation letter through the application form.
📝 Application form: https://forms.gle/HzCRc976eTU4e88Y7
ℹ️ Infopack: https://thenewellnessacade.wixstudio.com/crossroads
