Life is a Cinema is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange taking place in Carovigno, in the Puglia region of Italy, from 9 to 17 November 2026 (travel days included). Organised by The Melting Pot and funded by the Erasmus+ programme, it brings together young people aged 20 to 30 from Italy, Denmark and Slovenia for a week where cinema becomes a shared community experience and a space for dialogue.
A Week Where Cinema Becomes a Shared Language
The main aim of Life is a Cinema is to promote cultural participation by transforming cinema into something people experience together, not alone in front of a screen. Over seven working days, participants use film as a starting point for dialogue, exchange and connection, discovering how a story on screen can bring five countries into the same room.
🎬 New to this kind of project? Here's exactly how a week like this works, from arrival to Youthpass: What Is a Youth Exchange? → https://youthworkshub.org/youthexchange
What Actually Happens During the Exchange
Participants take part in a 7 day youth exchange built on active participation and learning from each other through non formal education methods: energizers, debates, presentations, theatre, role play, outdoor activities and simulations, all aimed at producing the results of the project. During the week there is a strong focus on multiculturalism: participants get in touch with the local community and share the culture of their own countries during scheduled intercultural nights. Everyone develops their 8 key competences, and this learning is certified through the Youthpass.
📜 You will leave with more than memories. Here is what that certificate actually proves and how to make the most of it: What Is Youthpass? The Official Erasmus+ and ESC Recognition Tool → https://youthworkshub.org/what-is-youthpass
The Goals Behind the Project
🎥 Create a safe and inclusive intercultural environment where young people from five countries can live, learn and engage in dialogue through non formal activities connected to cinema.
🎬 Promote cultural participation by transforming cinema into a shared community experience and a space for dialogue and exchange.
🛠️ Develop key and digital skills through film discussions, storytelling, acting, filming, editing, guided reflection and Youthpass.
🤝 Strengthen empathy, critical thinking and intercultural dialogue by challenging stereotypes and divisions through shared narratives.
🌍 Ensure a lasting impact by sharing short films and organising film screenings and follow up activities in partner countries, empowering participants as community multipliers.
Who Can Take Part
The exchange is open to young people aged 20 to 30 from Italy, Denmark and Slovenia. It is designed for participants who want to actively contribute, share their own culture and get fully involved in a creative, hands on week.
🎥 Craving more of Italy's creative side? Swap the clapperboard for a microphone and spend months making radio and independent culture come alive on the coast in ESC Volunteering in 🇮🇹 Italy: Radio and Media Production → https://youthworkshub.org/21564
Where You'll Stay: Carovigno and Hotel Il Timone
Participants are hosted by Hotel Il Timone, located in the village of Carovigno, just 15 minutes by train from Brindisi. Accommodation is in rooms of maximum 4 people, mixed by nationality and divided by gender. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served by the restaurant of the village. The venue provides blankets and towels, but not personal items such as a hair dryer, soap, shower gel or shampoo, so bring your own. The accommodation is within walking distance of a supermarket and the nearest beach, and staff members of the organisation are on site with a car for any emergencies.
Getting to the Venue
The closest airports to reach the venue are Brindisi and Bari. Once you land at either Brindisi or Bari, you take a train to Carovigno, and when you arrive at Carovigno train station the organisation's staff will pick you up by car. It is very important to communicate the exact time of your arrival at Carovigno station in advance.
🚆 If you fly to Bari, keep in mind that the last train to Carovigno is at 23.03; if you land in Brindisi, the last train is at 20.45, so choose a flight that lets you catch a train to Carovigno.
🕕 For the way back, the first train from Carovigno to Brindisi is at 6.05, and the first train to Bari is at 5.45, so it is suggested not to book any flight departing before 8.30.
The organisation provides transfers to reach the train station of Carovigno. The recommended train company is Trenitalia.
Travel Budget and Reimbursement Rules
The travel budget is 100€ for participants from Italy and 295€ for participants from Slovenia and Denmark. The maximum amount for participants is 295€, already reduced because it includes the transfers to and from Carovigno train station. Once selected, participants get in touch with the project contact person and agree on the travel route, always choosing the cheapest way to reach the venue. To find the most economic routes, the organisation suggests Skyscanner.
The route has to respect the following conditions:
🎫 Booking through a travel agency is not allowed (booking through Kiwi.com or similar websites is fine).
🧾 You must keep all tickets and boarding passes to send during the reimbursement process; for physical tickets, a good picture or scan is enough.
💺 Only basic fares from companies are suitable for reimbursement (you can add priority later in the reservation).
🎒 If you decide to travel light with just a backpack, the organisation will pay for one coin for the washing machine.
🧳 Stored luggage is not reimbursable.
📆 Participants can travel up to 2 days before or after the project if the route is cheaper; in that case, accommodation and other expenses are paid by them.
Reimbursement is transferred to the participant's personal account, usually within a maximum of 2 months after the youth exchange, upon completion of the dissemination tasks.
🧭 If building stories with an international team is your thing, here's another Erasmus+ Youth Exchange where connection and belonging take centre stage: Crossroads: Connecting Stories, Building Belonging in 🇮🇹 Italy → https://youthworkshub.org/21934
What to Bring and Prepare
There will be an intercultural night, so bring some national products (food, drinks) and prepare something to present your country. As both day and evening activities happen outside, a light jacket is recommended because the nights can get fresher. And, as the organisation puts it, do not forget to bring a positive attitude and your smile.
Deadline
⏳ As soon as possible!
Links
📝 Application form: https://forms.gle/ACtiAfeMccohrZwRA
📄 Infopack: https://canva.link/sz51fqqhtp2outm
📧 Email: themeltingpotassociation@gmail.com
💬 WhatsApp: +39 3348065791
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themeltingpoterasmus
⚠️ 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.
