Connect to Grow is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange at Jezioro Gลฤbokie, Poland, from 15 to 23 November 2026. It is open to young people aged 18-30 from Poland, Portugal, Italy, Romania and Slovakia. There is no participation fee: accommodation, meals, activities and eligible travel expenses are covered by Erasmus+. At Youth Works Hub, we read the call and the full infopack, and this guide brings every detail together in one place.
What Is Connect to Grow About?
Connect to Grow brings together young people from five European countries to address gender polarisation and build respectful, equal relationships across all genders through mixed-gender sport and non-formal dialogue. The topics of the exchange are:
โฝ Sport
โ๏ธ Gender equality
๐งฉ Stereotypes
๐ฅ Teamwork
๐ Intercultural dialogue
๐ Korfball
The activities combine learning, sharing experiences, developing new skills and building friendships through workshops, group activities and intercultural learning. If this format is new to you, our guide explains what an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is and how it works.
The Challenge Behind the Project
Across Europe, young people are facing a growing "boys vs. girls" climate and rising gender polarisation. Online algorithms, social media narratives and societal stereotypes increasingly fuel hostility, misunderstanding and emotional distance between young women and young men.
Why the Project Was Created
Many young people carry distrust, often amplified by personal experiences of online hate, bullying or toxic relationships, which create deep-seated distrust between genders. For youth living in smaller towns or rural communities, opportunities to access safe, inclusive spaces for open dialogue and international youth activities are particularly limited. Connect to Grow was created as a response to these needs.
The Core Formula: Experiencing Equality, Not Only Discussing It
The project focuses not only on discussing equality in theory, but on experiencing the broader connection between:
๐ค Mixed-gender teamwork
๐ Equal rules
๐ Empathy
๐ฌ Respectful dialogue
๐ง Psychological safety
What the Project Does Not Do
The project does not aim to blame, debate aggressively or force personal disclosures. Through korfball, structured dialogue and reflection, participants learn to question generalisations, respect personal boundaries and build connections across genders and cultures.
What Will Happen During the Exchange?
During the exchange, participants will:
๐ Practise mixed-gender teamwork and equal rules through korfball and cooperative team games
๐ Analyse gender stereotypes, "gender myths" and polarising social media narratives
๐ Explore perspective-taking through voluntary role-reversal exercises
๐๏ธ Master conflict management, active listening, de-escalation and boundary-setting
๐ก๏ธ Experience a safe, trauma-aware space with flexible on-field and off-field roles
๐งฐ Co-create a practical toolkit featuring korfball-based equality games and dialogue formats
๐ค Deliver a youth-led public conference (on-site and online) on gender balance through sport
๐๏ธ Host an exhibition korfball match open to the local community
๐๏ธ Plan and execute local follow-up activities in their home communities
Young people are not passive participants in the project. They are expected to co-create sessions, facilitate activities, reflect on their learning and share full responsibility for the learning process. This is the heart of non-formal education, the learning approach used in Erasmus+ projects.
Six Main Objectives
1๏ธโฃ Challenge gender stereotypes and polarising narratives
2๏ธโฃ Strengthen trust through mixed-gender teamwork
3๏ธโฃ Practise respectful communication, consent and boundaries
4๏ธโฃ Foster an inclusive and trauma-aware learning space
5๏ธโฃ Empower youth leadership and civic voice
6๏ธโฃ Co-create reusable tools for equality through sport
What Will You Learn?
๐ฐ Gender Equality in Action: understand equal rules, shared scoring and non-contact mixed-gender teamwork through korfball
๐ฑ Stereotypes and Media Literacy: identify how "boys vs. girls" myths, online hate and polarising social media algorithms shape attitudes
๐ Perspective-Taking and Empathy: build genuine empathy through voluntary role-reversal ("in the other gender's shoes") and safe story sharing
๐ Respectful Communication and Boundaries: master active listening, "I-statements", de-escalation and clear consent/boundary-setting
๐ ๏ธ Toolkit and Facilitation Skills: co-create reusable equality games, session plans and safety notes for youth work
๐๏ธ Leadership and Public Voice: gain hands-on event management and speaking skills by co-hosting a hybrid public conference and an exhibition match
๐ฃ๏ธ Breaking Language Barriers: build confidence communicating and collaborating in English within a supportive European peer group
Who Can Apply?
๐ Age and countries: young people aged 18-30 from Poland, Portugal, Italy, Romania and Slovakia
๐ Sports and cooperation: open to all athletic levels; no previous korfball or sport experience required. You can choose your physical intensity on-field or take on creative off-field roles (referee assistant, timekeeper, media, logistics)
๐ง Core focus and mindset: motivated to explore gender equality, debate online/social stereotypes, engage in role-reversal exercises and co-create project outcomes
๐ฑ Fewer opportunities: strong focus on youth from smaller towns or rural areas, as well as those experiencing gender polarisation, online hostility, bullying or economic/social obstacles
๐ฌ Language and communication: English is the working language, but a basic conversational level is enough; full support and peer translation are provided
Our guide on Erasmus+ and ESC age limits is useful if you are close to the age limit.
Group Size: 40 Young People
The exchange brings together 40 young people, with 8 participants per country from the five participating countries.
A Safe and Trauma-Aware Space
Safety and well-being are built into the programme. The exchange offers:
๐ช Clear opt-in/opt-out options for activities
๐คซ A quiet room
๐ No forced personal disclosures
If you want to know more about the support available on projects abroad, read our guide on mental health and wellbeing on an Erasmus+ or ESC project.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐ All opportunities in Poland โ
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
Host Organisation: Fundacja Feniks
Fundacja Promocji Zdrowia Psychicznego Feniks is a Polish non-profit organisation based in Krosno Odrzaลskie, Poland. Its mission focuses on:
๐ค๏ธ Promoting mental wellbeing and emotional education among young people
๐ซ Preventing social exclusion and supporting youth facing emotional or social barriers
๐ก Creating safe, trauma-aware and inclusive spaces for personal growth and peer support
๐ณ๏ธ Encouraging active civic participation and social inclusion
Feniks organises youth workshops, educational projects and psychological support initiatives. As the coordinating organisation of Connect to Grow, Feniks leads the project with a focus on non-formal education, equal participation and psychological safety.
Partner Organisations
๐ต๐น Associaรงรฃo All Aboard (Portugal): a non-profit organisation based in Setรบbal that uses sport and non-formal education to drive social inclusion, empowering young people regardless of their background. In Connect to Grow, they bring strong expertise in community outreach, participatory methods and engaging youth from peripheral or disadvantaged areas.
๐ฎ๐น ASD Sport Compass (Italy): a non-profit sport club based in Sardinia specialising in the Education Through Sport (ETS) methodology to promote social inclusion, healthy lifestyles and active citizenship. They lead the design of sport-based non-formal activities, ensuring equal rules, fair play and accessible participation for all athletic levels.
๐ท๐ด Asociatia "Promovam prin educatie" (Romania): an educational NGO based in Rรขmnicu Vรขlcea focused on active citizenship, experiential learning and preventing social exclusion among rural and small-town youth. They specialise in non-formal learning design, reflection methods and guiding participants through the Youthpass process.
๐ธ๐ฐ Youthfully Yours SK (Slovakia): a youth NGO from Eastern Slovakia dedicated to empowering young people through non-formal education, digital literacy and civic engagement. They focus on peer leadership and youth participation, helping build participant committees and supporting local follow-up initiatives.
Associated Sport Expertise
๐ Polish Korfball Association: as the core technical sports partner, the national federation provides official korfball expertise, adapts rules, supports equipment and offers organisational guidance for the exhibition match open to the local community.
โญ Tamara Siemieniuk (International Korfball Player): an international athlete whose real-world experience in mixed-gender sports helped spark the project. Tamara acts as a sport-methodology contributor and mentor, co-developing inclusive physical drills and supporting youth participation on and off the court.
Accommodation at Pensjonat pod Strzechฤ
The project will take place at Pensjonat pod Strzechฤ , located in a peaceful, green area next to Jezioro Gลฤbokie in Poland. Surrounded by nature, the lakeside setting offers an ideal space for outdoor sports, team bonding and group reflection away from urban stress.
๐๏ธ Rooms: participants stay on-site in comfortable 2-3 person rooms
๐ฟ Bathroom: each room has a private bathroom, providing space to decompress and recharge after active programme days
๐ Address: Pensjonat pod Strzechฤ , Jezioro Gลฤbokie, 66-300
The Korfball Pavilion in Miฤdzyrzecz
In addition to Pensjonat pod Strzechฤ , korfball activities will take place in Hala Widowiskowo Sportowa w Miฤdzyrzeczu, a dedicated pavilion. This space will support practical sessions, mixed-team drills, fair-play exercises and the exhibition match.
๐บ๏ธ Address: Hala Widowiskowo Sportowa w Miฤdzyrzeczu, Os. Kasztelaลskie 8 A, 66-300 Miฤdzyrzecz
What Is Covered?
There is no participation fee. The Erasmus+ project budget covers:
๐ Accommodation
๐ฝ๏ธ Meals
๐ฏ Programme activities
โ๏ธ Eligible travel expenses
For a full picture of how funding works, see our guide on what costs Erasmus+ covers.
Getting There
โ๏ธ Nearest airport: Poznaล-ลawica
๐ Nearest railway station: Gลฤbokie Miฤdzyrzeckie
๐ Extra days: you are allowed to spend a maximum of 3 additional days in Poland outside the official mobility dates; in this case, participants are responsible for covering their own extra accommodation and food costs
Green Travel Recommended
The organisers strongly recommend choosing Green Travel (train, FlixBus or group carpooling) whenever possible, as it is more eco-friendly and offers higher travel reimbursement limits. If you choose a standard non-green option, the standard reimbursement limit will apply. Learn more in our guide to green travel in Erasmus+ and ESC.
Travel Reimbursement Limits by Country
๐ต๐ฑ Poland: 285 EUR (green travel)
๐ต๐น Portugal: 395 EUR
๐ฎ๐น Italy: 309 EUR
๐ท๐ด Romania: 417 EUR (green travel), 309 EUR (standard travel)
๐ธ๐ฐ Slovakia: 417 EUR (green travel), 309 EUR (standard travel)
Participants will be reimbursed for their travel expenses up to the maximum limit allocated for their sending country, or for their actual costs if they are lower. Our guide on how Erasmus+ travel reimbursement works explains the system behind these amounts.
Ticket Approval Comes First
Before purchasing any tickets, consult with the organisers and wait until they are approved by email. Tickets that were not approved are not subject to reimbursement.
How to Get Your Travel Reimbursement
To receive the travel reimbursement, all participants are required to:
๐ Submit the Erasmus+ Participant Report by completing the official EU Survey sent via email after the exchange
๐งพ Complete the reimbursement form and submit all original travel documents (flight/train/bus tickets, invoices and boarding passes)
๐ข Provide proof of local follow-up and dissemination activities carried out in your home community after the project
The refund will be issued in cash at the venue or by bank transfer within 2 weeks after receiving all valid documents and survey confirmations.
Youthpass Certificate
Participants in this exchange earn official Youthpass certification, which documents the non-formal learning gained during the project. Find out more in our guide on what Youthpass is.
Before the Project
๐ฒ Stay connected: join both your national group and the main project WhatsApp/Signal group, and check your email regularly for important updates, travel details and pre-departure info
๐ Complete the registration form: fill in the confidential participant form carefully to let the organisers know about any dietary requirements, health needs, accessibility preferences or quiet-room/support needs
๐ก Share your skills: if you have experience, knowledge or an activity idea related to gender equality, sports, korfball, media literacy, stereotype-busting or respectful dialogue, you are welcome to co-facilitate a session or lead a game. This is completely voluntary, and the team will fully support you in preparing it
๐ Secret Friend: the "Secret Friend" game runs throughout the project, so bring a few small gifts, notes or little surprises for the person you will secretly support during the week
๐ถ Intercultural Evening: each national team will host an evening presenting their culture. Feel free to bring traditional snacks, drinks, music, games, stories or souvenirs to share with everyone
What to Bring
๐ชช Travel and health documents: valid ID or passport, European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and optional travel/accident insurance
๐ป Laptop/tablet: needed for workshop activities, toolkit co-creation and hybrid conference preparation
๐ Footwear: clean indoor trainers for the korfball pavilion/hall, plus comfortable outdoor walking shoes for nature sessions
๐งฅ Clothing: comfortable sportswear for daily active sessions and warm clothes/layers suitable for cool Polish autumn weather
๐งด Personal needs: any personal medication you need, personal toiletries and a reusable water bottle
๐ Intercultural Night: traditional snacks, drinks, music or small cultural items to present your country
๐ Secret Friend: a few small tokens, postcards or surprises for the Secret Friend game
๐งญ Mindset: an open mind, respect for personal boundaries and willingness to cooperate in mixed-gender teams
About Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the EU's initiative supporting youth mobility and non-formal education across Europe. Through funded Youth Exchanges, participants collaborate across borders on social topics, build practical life skills and earn official Youthpass certification.
How to Apply
๐ Read the infopack carefully before submitting your application
โ๏ธ Fill in the online application form (Google Form)
๐๏ธ Before buying any tickets, wait for the organisers to approve them by email
You can browse more youth exchanges like this in our Erasmus+ listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a participation fee for Connect to Grow?
No. There is no participation fee. The Erasmus+ project budget covers accommodation, meals, programme activities and eligible travel expenses.
Do I need to know how to play korfball?
No. The exchange is open to all athletic levels, and no previous korfball or sport experience is required. You can choose your physical intensity on-field or take an off-field role such as referee assistant, timekeeper, media or logistics.
How good does my English need to be?
English is the working language, but a basic conversational level is enough. Full support and peer translation are provided.
Who can take part?
Young people aged 18-30 from Poland, Portugal, Italy, Romania and Slovakia. There is a strong focus on youth from smaller towns or rural areas and those facing gender polarisation, online hostility, bullying or economic/social obstacles.
How many participants will there be?
The exchange brings together 40 young people, 8 per country.
Where will I stay?
At Pensjonat pod Strzechฤ , next to Jezioro Gลฤbokie, in 2-3 person rooms with a private bathroom. Korfball sessions take place at a sports pavilion in Miฤdzyrzecz.
How much travel money will I get back?
The limits are 285 EUR for Poland (green travel), 395 EUR for Portugal, 309 EUR for Italy, and 417 EUR (green) or 309 EUR (standard) for Romania and Slovakia. You are reimbursed up to your country's limit, or your actual costs if lower.
Can I buy my tickets straight away?
No. Consult the organisers first and wait for approval by email. Tickets that were not approved are not reimbursed.
What do I need to do to get reimbursed?
Complete the Erasmus+ Participant Report (EU Survey), submit the reimbursement form with all original travel documents, and provide proof of local follow-up and dissemination activities in your home community.
Can I stay longer in Poland?
Yes, up to 3 additional days outside the official mobility dates, but you cover your own extra accommodation and food costs.
Will I be asked to share personal experiences?
No one is forced to. The exchange is a trauma-aware space with clear opt-in/opt-out options, a quiet room and no forced personal disclosures.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Participants in Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges earn official Youthpass certification.
Project Snapshot
๐ Type: Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
๐ Location: Pensjonat pod Strzechฤ , Jezioro Gลฤbokie, Poland
๐๏ธ Activity Dates: 15-23 November 2026
๐ Countries: Poland, Portugal, Italy, Romania, Slovakia
๐ Age: 18-30
Deadline
โณ As soon as possible!
Links
๐ Application form: https://forms.gle/a3FaP3q7CYDckcpe8
๐ Infopack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SBdvDVSGOtBCO74uj9CmVzUJMGXGpEmY/view?usp=drive_link
โ๏ธ Participant coordinator (Adrianna Baranowska): abaranowska.erasmus@gmail.com
๐ง Project coordinator (Helmer Maldini Silva): helmer.maldini@gmail.com
๐ WhatsApp: +351 915 985 647
๐ช๐บ Erasmus+ programme: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
