Humaniterra – Praças Altruístas is inviting young people to H2Opportunity – From Water Awareness to Youth Action, an Erasmus+ KA152 Youth Exchange in Portugal. This international youth exchange will bring together 30 young people and 6 group leaders from six countries to learn, share experiences and take action on one of the most important topics of our time: water and sustainability. During the journey in Funchal (Madeira Island) and Porto Santo Island, participants will explore, create, reflect and connect, learning from each other, discovering new perspectives and developing ideas that can make a real difference. Humaniterra is a youth and civic organisation based in Madeira, Portugal, which through non-formal education, international cooperation and community action supports young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, to develop confidence, responsibility, solidarity and active citizenship.
🧭 New to this format? Read our guide first: What Is a Youth Exchange? → https://youthworkshub.org/youthexchange
Why This Project
Water is essential for health, food production, ecosystems, local economies and human dignity. However, pollution, climate change, inefficient consumption, agriculture, tourism and ageing infrastructure are placing increasing pressure on water resources, and the challenge is different in every country: some communities face drought and limited water access, others have abundant water but struggle with pollution, climate-related changes or inefficient management. H2Opportunity aims to help young people understand water scarcity and transform that knowledge into responsible habits, public awareness and community action.
A Three-Step Learning Journey
🔍 Stage 1, Discover (Funchal, Madeira Island, 18 to 23 September): the group explores the global and local reality of water scarcity through workshops and interactive sessions, water footprint and daily habits, research and local context, team building and preparation for action
💬 Stage 2, Engage (Porto Santo Island, 23 to 25 September): participants share experiences, compare realities, listen to the community and design awareness messages and campaigns, including interviews, field activities and a visit to the Porto Santo desalination plant
💧 Stage 3, Act (back in Madeira Island, 25 to 26 September): the group finalises campaigns, creates awareness materials and campaign videos, builds an action plan for local impact, and reflects and celebrates
The full journey runs from 18 to 26 September 2026, including arrival, internal transfer between the islands by ferry, and departure days.
💧 Want a stronger application? Read this: How to Prepare a Strong Erasmus+ and ESC Application: 10 Tips → https://youthworkshub.org/erasmus-application-tips
What You Will Do
📝 Before the project: join national and international online meetings, research the water situation in your country, collect at least 20 responses from young people through surveys or short interviews, prepare a presentation, poster, infographic or short video, help prepare the intercultural evening, and read and sign the project agreements
🤝 During the project: attend the complete programme, work in mixed-nationality groups, support the workshop led by your national team, take part in interviews, debates, simulations and the study visit, contribute to the campaign video and awareness materials, and join daily reflection and Youthpass activities
🌍 Follow-up: help organise at least one local dissemination activity, share the project campaign and learning results, present the experience to schools, youth groups or community organisations, complete the final evaluation and remain connected to the international network
Workshops and Activities
The programme is based on non-formal education, with practical, participatory activities connected to real life: a Water Footprint Workshop and Calculator, Water-Saving Agreements and a Water Chain Game; National Water Realities presentations and a Water Scarcity Debate; an Awareness Campaign Lab, Community Interviews and a Protest Simulation; and a Desalination Plant Study Visit and Campaign Studio. Evenings include intercultural moments to share traditions, food and stories.
Who Can Apply
The exchange is open to young people aged 18 to 30 (group leaders may be over 30) from the following countries: 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇹🇷 Türkiye, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇫🇷 France and 🇷🇸 Serbia. Each national team is made up of 5 participants and 1 group leader, and 18 of the places are reserved for young people with fewer opportunities. No specialist knowledge is required; curiosity, motivation and willingness to learn are enough, along with the ability to communicate in basic English. Applications are evaluated on motivation (40%), community engagement (25%), inclusion (20%) and balance and diversity (15%).
🎭 Also open in Portugal: ESC Volunteering in 🇵🇹 Portugal as an Events Assistant Promoting Mobility → https://youthworkshub.org/21909
What's Covered
There is no participation fee. The Erasmus+ grant supports shared accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, at least two daily coffee breaks, workshop materials, official project visits and activities, a Youthpass Certificate, and eligible travel costs up to the approved maximum. Travel is reimbursed according to the Erasmus+ distance bands and only for actual, documented and pre-approved costs (economy travel, with green travel encouraged); the Porto Santo ferry round trip has a fixed cost of 47 EUR per participant, deducted from the approved travel contribution. For the Turkish team, the maximum travel contribution is 1,188 EUR, with 1,141 EUR reimbursed after the ferry deduction. EU participants must bring a valid European Health Insurance Card, while private travel and health insurance for participants from Türkiye and Serbia is coordinated with the sending organisations, and visa support is foreseen for the Turkish team.
🧭 Another one worth exploring: Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in 🇮🇹 Italy, Crossroads: Connecting Stories, Building Bridges → https://youthworkshub.org/21934
Accommodation
Participants stay in youth-friendly venues with shared rooms: the Centro de Juventude do Funchal (Youth Hostel) in Funchal, with shared bedrooms for 6 to 10 people, and the Porto Santo Youth Centre (Youth Hostel) in Vila Baleira, with shared bedrooms for 2 to 4 people. Meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner, two daily coffee breaks and a hydration station, with vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free and medically necessary options available when communicated in advance.
The Details
📆 Project dates: 18 to 26 September 2026 (including arrival, internal transfer and departure days)
📍 Locations: Funchal (Madeira Island) and Porto Santo Island, Portugal
🔹 Age: 18 to 30 (group leaders may be over 30)
🌐 Working language: English
🔖 Project code: 2025-1-PT02-KA152-YOU-000336599
How to Apply
Complete the online application form, answering the questions completely and honestly so the organisers can get the best picture of your compatibility. Please read all the information in the application form and the infopack carefully before submitting, as they include the full project details, participation conditions and selection information. Selected participants will be contacted by email.
Deadline
⏳ 25 August 2026
Links
🔗 Application form: https://forms.gle/fg4nfDMJuw1EksEK7
🔗 Official project page: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/53940_en
⚠️ 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.
