🇪🇸 Erasmus+ Partnership-building Activity in Spain 🕊️ Past Forward: Human Rights, Remembrance and Democratic Education 🤝

At a moment when democratic values and human dignity are under pressure across Europe, the organisations defending them need each other — and they need a room to build real, cross-border cooperation. Past Forward is an Erasmus+ Partnership-building Activity (PBA) taking place from 5 to 9 November 2026 in Coma-ruga (Tarragona), Spain, bringing together 20 experienced youth workers and organisational leaders to turn shared principles into concrete partnerships and future Erasmus+ projects. At Youth Works Hub we gather funded Erasmus+ opportunities for youth workers, and this one is squarely for experienced organisations ready to commit to new European alliances.

What Past Forward Is About

Past Forward is a Partnership Building Activity designed to establish a strategic, collaborative space where experienced organisations come together to share youth work practices, reflect on the current European context, and develop cooperation strategies addressing common challenges. Grounded in the principles of dignity and democratic values, the PBA supports organisations in transforming shared principles into concrete, cross-border partnerships and future Erasmus+ initiatives — focused on human rights, remembrance and democratic education in youth work.

🧭 New to this format and how it fits Erasmus+? Here's the essential guide: What Is Mobility of Youth Workers? → https://youthworkshub.org/mobility-of-youth-workers

Objectives

🤝 Exchange expertise: Share non-formal youth work practices and explore innovative approaches to human rights and remembrance education;

🕊️ Reinforce democratic values: Support initiatives that empower young people, promote active dialogue with decision-makers, and uphold human dignity across Europe;

🌍 Create cross-border partnerships: Collaboratively draft initiatives and sustainable cooperation strategies within the Erasmus+ framework;

🔗 Strengthen sustainable partnerships and explore upcoming Erasmus+ priorities, so cooperation continues well beyond the activity itself.

Who Should Apply

The PBA brings together 20 experienced youth workers, project coordinators and organisational leaders actively engaged in democracy, human rights and remembrance education. It is open to participants from Eastern Partnership countries, Erasmus+ Programme countries and Western Balkan countries, and is recommended for youth workers, trainers, youth leaders, youth project managers, youth researchers and project coordinators. Candidates should have:

✅ Proven experience — active involvement in youth work, project management or organisational leadership focused on human rights, remembrance education, democratic participation and civic engagement;

✅ Sharing capacity — the competence and willingness to present, exchange and promote their organisation's practices and methodologies;

✅ Institutional mandate — the decision-making capacity to commit their organisation to new European partnerships and follow-up Erasmus+ projects;

✅ Fluent English and solid knowledge of the Erasmus+ Programme.

🏅 Curious what accreditation means for organisations like this? Here's the guide: What Is Erasmus+ Accreditation? → https://youthworkshub.org/erasmus-accreditation

Programme and Methodology

Across 3+ full days, participants will get to know each other's organisations and missions in human rights and remembrance education; reflect on what meaningful partnership means within youth work and Erasmus+; support initiatives that empower young people and open dialogue with decision-makers; set first milestones, cooperation strategies and common project ideas within Erasmus+; and share expertise and challenges while looking ahead to the new programme. The activity is prepared by an international team of trainers with expertise in democratic citizenship and human rights education, and the methodology is grounded in non-formal learning — active participation, exchange, and building on participants' own experiences toward concrete future practice.

The Venue

The PBA is hosted at the Coma-ruga Youth Hostel "Santa Maria del Mar", with participants sharing double rooms, each with its own bathroom. Coma-ruga is a calm family resort on the Mediterranean coast with long sandy beaches, well connected by train to Barcelona city centre and the airport. Selected participants receive an infopack with full travel details.

Costs and What's Covered

There is no enrolment fee. Full board and accommodation are provided and paid for by the organisers. International travel is reimbursed up to the Erasmus+ programme rules, and green travel is encouraged and financially supported. The maximum travel budget limits are: 100–499 km → €211 (€285 green); 500–1,999 km → €309 (€418 green); 2,000–2,999 km → €395 (€535 green); 3,000–3,999 km → €580 (€785 green). Local transport (in your own country and in Catalonia) is covered by participants as a contribution, and visa costs are reimbursed at 100%. Participants receive a Youthpass certificate. Do not book travel until your participation is confirmed.

🇪🇸 Also looking at Spain? Take a look at this Erasmus+ Training Course — Time Tamer: Beat Procrastination in 🇪🇸 Spain → https://youthworkshub.org/erasmus-training-course-spain-time-tamer-procrastination

About the Organiser

Past Forward is organised by AHEAD – Association of Human Rights Educators, a Barcelona-based youth NGO active since 2009 in youth work, intercultural dialogue and human rights education. AHEAD holds the Erasmus+ Accreditation and the ESC Quality Label, with strong experience in youth-worker mobility, youth participation and non-formal education, particularly on inclusion projects with young people from diverse backgrounds.

🇮🇹 Prefer another Erasmus+ project on human connection and belonging? See this Erasmus+ Youth Exchange — Crossroads: Connecting Stories in 🇮🇹 Italy → https://youthworkshub.org/21934

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Who is this for? Experienced youth workers, coordinators and organisational decision-makers active in human rights, remembrance and democratic education, from Erasmus+ Programme, Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries.

❓ What are the dates and where? 5–9 November 2026 (arrival evening of 5 Nov, departure morning of 9 Nov) in Coma-ruga (Tarragona), Spain.

❓ What does it cost? No enrolment fee; full board and accommodation covered; international travel reimbursed by Erasmus+ band; visa 100% reimbursed. Local transport is the participant's contribution.

❓ What language? The working language is English.

Deadline

⏳ 14 September 2026 (24:00 UTC), with selection results by 24 September 2026. This one closes soon, so apply early — Youth Works Hub keeps time-sensitive Erasmus+ opportunities like this in one place so you don't miss them. Do not book travel until your participation is confirmed.

How to Apply

📝 Complete the online application form (three sections: applicant info, sending organisation and experience, motivation and follow-up). For questions, contact the organisers by email; selected participants receive an infopack with full logistics.