Balance in Action is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Germany, from 22 February to 02 March 2027. The call is open to young people aged 18-30 from Germany, France and North Macedonia, and it is fully covered by the Erasmus+ Programme, with travel reimbursed up to a set budget. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the call and the infopack, and this guide puts every detail in one place.
What Is Balance in Action?
It is a youth exchange where movement meets mental health, and where you are, in the words of the call, "at the center of it all". The project brings together 42 young people from Germany, North Macedonia, France, Portugal, Lithuania and Slovakia for 7 days of real, hands-on experiences built around one idea: moving your body can change your mind. If you are new to this format, our guide explains what an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is and how a typical one works.
This open call is for participants from Germany, France and North Macedonia.
Stress, Pressure and Endless Scrolling
The call starts with a question: when was the last time you moved your body just to clear your head? Stress, pressure and endless scrolling are taking a toll on all of us, and the project says it is time to find our balance again.
The answer it offers is a week of movement, creative workshops, open conversations and real-life challenges. Everything is built around the same simple idea: moving your body can change your mind.
What You Will Do During the Week
Through daily movement sessions, creative workshops, open reflection circles and real-life scenarios, you will explore how rhythm, expression and physical activity can help you manage stress, build resilience and feel more like yourself.
π Daily movement sessions: physical activity is the core of the programme
π¨ Creative workshops: a space to explore expression
π¬ Open reflection circles: open conversations about what you feel and learn
π¬ Real-life scenarios: practical situations where you test what you explore
π± Digital content: you will help build digital content together
π Cultural evenings: you will lead cultural evenings
π Follow-up events: you leave ready to run your own follow-up events back home
For more on the wellbeing side of projects like this, read our guide on mental health and wellbeing on an Erasmus+ or ESC project.
Inclusion for Smaller Towns and Rural Communities
The project puts inclusion first, with a special focus on young people from smaller towns and rural communities. The aim is to make sure meaningful opportunities are accessible to everyone.
Become a B-Act Ambassador
You will help build digital content, lead cultural evenings and walk away ready to run your own follow-up events at home. That makes you a B-Act Ambassador: someone who brings what they have learned back to their community and keeps the conversation going.
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π All opportunities in Germany β
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Who Can Apply?
Open to youth aged 18-30. Partner organisations assess the applications. Each organisation is responsible for identifying and recommending the candidates who best meet these criteria:
π Young adults aged 18-30 who reside in the partner organisations' countries
π£οΈ A strong level of English, so you can actively take part in preparatory sessions, youth gatherings and subsequent activities
π Motivation to grow your personal and professional competencies in an international context: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, facilitation and presentation
π A strong interest in the project's theme
π§ Group leaders, regardless of age limits, with experience in youth work, able to guide and support participants, particularly concerning social, economic or geographical obstacles
π€ Motivation to join a mixed-cultural learning setting and to contribute to the successful completion of the initiative
Age rules differ by activity, so our guide on Erasmus+ and ESC age limits is worth a look.
Working Methods
The programme uses non-formal education, and four working methods are listed:
π οΈ Learning by doing
π§ Fun ice-breaker games and activities to get to know each other
π Creative workshops, discussions, role-playing and engaging presentations for non-formal learning
π Activities focused on different cultures and social interaction
Dates and Venue
The exchange runs from 22 February to 02 March 2027 in Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Germany. You will stay at Kultur Gruppen Haus in Osterholz-Scharmbeck, a venue that can host up to 50 people.
Accommodation, Meals and House Rules
ποΈ Accommodation: at Kultur Gruppen Haus
𧴠What to bring for your stay: your own towels, house shoes and any other items that make your stay comfortable
π½οΈ Meals: three meals a day and two coffee breaks
π₯ Food preferences and allergies: indicate them on the application form, for example vegetarian, vegan or specific allergies
π« Alcohol: not allowed in the venue or in the rooms
What Is Covered and for Which Days
Accommodation costs are 100% covered by the Erasmus+ Programme. The call is described as fully covered by the Erasmus+ Programme. To see how a grant is built, read our guide on what costs Erasmus+ covers.
The expenses are covered only from the arrival day, 22 February 2027, from 17:00h, until the departure day, 02 March 2027, until 10:00h. A longer stay or indirect travel, for example a holiday trip, gets no reimbursement for extra travel costs.
Travelling sometimes means you need an extra day to catch a flight or an extra night near the airport. The organisers know these situations happen, but they cannot cover these extra costs: they are the participant's responsibility. They suggest affordable options such as hostels or staying with friends.
Travel Budget by Country
The given amount is the total maximum budget per person for travel, following Erasmus+ rules. You are reimbursed for the actual amount you spend, up to this set budget: if you spend less, you get back what you spent, and if you spend more, you only receive up to the limit. Keep these cost limits in mind before booking your tickets, because anything over the limit is your own expense.
π©πͺ Germany: Sport Association Premium, 285 β¬ per participant
π±πΉ Lithuania: ApglΔbk PasaulΔ―, 309 β¬ per participant
π²π° North Macedonia: GRIT, 309 β¬ per participant
π«π· France: Young Lions of Lyon, 309 β¬ per participant
πΈπ° Slovakia: Slovak Sport Organisation, 309 β¬ per participant
π΅πΉ Portugal: AUTONOMIA E DESCOBERTA, 395 β¬ per participant
π Always contact your sending organisation for approval before booking your tickets.
π Taxi is not covered.
Green Travel and Non-Green Travel
There are two ways of travelling in this project: Green Travel and Non-Green Travel. If you choose green travel, arrive at the Bremen Bus Station first. Our guide on green travel in Erasmus+ and ESC explains what counts and how the extra support works.
If you choose non-green travel, note that Bremen and Hamburg both have airports:
π« Bremen airport: public transport takes you to the Bremen Bus Station
π Hamburg airport: check the bus options to reach Bremen first, for example with Flixbus
From Bremen to Osterholz-Scharmbeck
Once you reach the Bremen Bus Station, you can take a bus to Osterholz-Scharmbeck.
π Route search: use Start Bremen Hauptbahnhof and Ziel Osterholz-Scharmbeck Bahnhof
π Bus 660 from Bremen: it stops only a 10 minute walk from the house, so check the 660 bus timeline
Tickets and Reimbursement Rules
For how distance bands work, see our guide on how Erasmus+ travel reimbursement works.
π§Ύ Keep all original travel documents: physical tickets, boarding passes, invoices, booking confirmations or bills showing the ticket price. This documentation is required for reimbursement
π Local transport: for transport such as bus or train to the departure point, participants can be reimbursed for actual expenses, up to a maximum amount
π’ Travel agencies: travel costs booked through travel agencies cannot be refunded
πΆ How reimbursement works: after you submit tickets and boarding passes, travel expenses (flights, other means of transport) are compensated 100% based on the actual expenses incurred and the distance from the location of departure. The distance is calculated with the official Erasmus+ Distance Calculator supported by the European Commission
β Missing tickets: they cannot be reimbursed
π± Other currencies: if tickets are bought in a currency other than euros, the conversion is done at the average rates from the official European Commission website
π Where you travel from: participants must travel from and return to the country of their sending organisation
β±οΈ Direct travel: following Erasmus+ guidelines, travel to the country of residence must be direct and completed within a maximum of two travel days
Health Insurance and Health Information
Before arriving in Germany, make sure your health is covered. If you are an EU citizen, bring your European Health Insurance Card. If not, you need private health insurance.
Tell the organisers about any health concerns you have or might have, for example if you take regular medicines. Also tell them about any special food requests, whether you are vegetarian, vegan or have allergies.
What to Bring
π Your passport
π Sport shoes and comfy clothes for activities
π¦οΈ Clothes suitable for the weather forecast
πͺ₯ Personal care items: shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush and a hairdryer
π©΄ Flip-flops or slippers
π Your smartphone and charger
π A notebook and pens
π©Ή Any pills and medicines you might need
π And, of course, a positive attitude
Preparations: Intercultural Evenings, Energizers and Tech
π Intercultural evening: every group hosts one, a lively celebration where you introduce your country's unique flavour. Bring your food, drinks, music and traditions, even the funny stereotypes, and find videos, games, quizzes or activities to bring your culture to life
β‘ Energizers: each group is invited to lead some quick energizers in the mornings or afternoons to get the collective energy flowing
π² Tech for Creation: bring your smartphones, because you will use them to create digital content together
Basic Rules of the Project
π Participation: everyone is expected to be present and active in all activities, unless sick or with another good reason
π Get ready to connect: bring your best mood and keep it throughout the exchange, and prepare for fun, creativity and new connections
π Your responsibilities: the organisers list six points: stick to the schedule, be kind and respect others, stay positive, step out of your comfort zone, have maximum fun, and be part of the solution if challenges come up
π Official rules: all participants sign a Rules and Regulations document when they arrive at the project
Partner Organisations
The project has six partner organisations, one per country:
π Sport Association Premium (Germany)
π¦ Young Lions of Lyon (France)
ποΈ GRIT (North Macedonia)
π³ ApglΔbk PasaulΔ― (Lithuania)
π Slovak Sport Organisation (Slovakia)
π§ AUTONOMIA E DESCOBERTA, CRL (Portugal)
How to Apply
Fill in the online application form, and indicate any food preferences or allergies on it. Applications are assessed by the partner organisations. The deadline is as soon as possible, so do not wait. Find more projects like this in our Erasmus+ listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to Balance in Action?
This open call is for young people from Germany, France and North Macedonia. Participants are aged 18-30 and reside in the partner organisations' countries, while group leaders can be of any age.
When and where does the exchange take place?
It takes place from 22 February to 02 March 2027 at Kultur Gruppen Haus in Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Germany.
Is Balance in Action fully covered by Erasmus+?
Yes. The call says it is fully covered by the Erasmus+ Programme, and accommodation costs are 100% covered. Travel is reimbursed on actual expenses up to the budget for your country.
Which days are covered?
Expenses are covered only from 22 February 2027 from 17:00h until 02 March 2027 until 10:00h. Extra nights or days, for example because of flight times, are the participant's responsibility.
How much travel budget do I get?
It depends on your country: 285 β¬ for Germany, and 309 β¬ for North Macedonia and France. You are reimbursed for the actual amount spent, up to this limit.
What language level do I need?
You need a strong level of English to take part actively in preparatory sessions, youth gatherings and subsequent activities.
What do I need to do before booking tickets?
Always contact your sending organisation for approval before booking. Keep all original tickets, boarding passes and invoices, because missing tickets cannot be reimbursed.
How do I reach Osterholz-Scharmbeck?
Arrive at the Bremen Bus Station (for green travel) or fly to Bremen or Hamburg, then take a bus from Bremen to Osterholz-Scharmbeck. Bus 660 stops about a 10 minute walk from the house.
Which insurance do I need?
EU citizens bring the European Health Insurance Card. Everyone else needs private health insurance.
Are food preferences and allergies taken into account?
The organisers ask you to indicate them on the application form. Participants get three meals a day and two coffee breaks.
Can I drink alcohol at the venue?
No. Alcohol is not allowed in the venue or in the rooms.
Project Snapshot
π Type: Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
π Location: Kultur Gruppen Haus, Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Germany
ποΈ Activity Dates: 22 February - 02 March 2027 (arrival 22 February from 17:00, departure 02 March until 10:00)
π Countries: Germany, France, North Macedonia
π Age: 18-30 (group leaders regardless of age limits)
Deadline
β³ As soon as possible!
Links
π Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScA_ifMbGdcg_9QCbbeyFBkE7U3KRnVO7vgCvPfL6fGH6GdbQ/viewform
π Infopack: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHFd-Olojw/UVk3Y2iEp7McaFuKlG-yBw/view
π§ Sport Association Premium (Germany): premiumsa16@gmail.com
π§ Young Lions of Lyon (France): younglionsoflyon@gmail.com
π§ GRIT (North Macedonia): ngo.grit@gmail.com
π§ ApglΔbk PasaulΔ― (Lithuania): info@apglebkpasauli.org
π§ Slovak Sport Organisation (Slovakia): apply@adelslovakia.org
π§ AUTONOMIA E DESCOBERTA, CRL (Portugal): autonomiaedescoberta@gmail.com
