Bridges for Democracy is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Antalya, Türkiye, from 19 to 29 November 2026 (11 days). It brings together 38 participants, group leaders included, from Germany, Latvia, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Türkiye. Participants are aged 18 to 30, and each country's group leader has no age limit. There is no participation fee: food and accommodation are covered, and travel is reimbursed after the project. There is no fixed deadline, so apply as soon as possible. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the call and the full infopack, and this guide brings every detail together.
What Is Bridges for Democracy About?
It is an international youth exchange focused on democracy, active citizenship, multiculturalism and intercultural understanding. At a time when democratic values, social cohesion, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are increasingly important, the project creates a dynamic, inclusive and participatory space where young people can explore democratic principles, exchange perspectives, challenge stereotypes and learn from different cultures and experiences.
The project aims to empower young people to become active and responsible citizens, strengthen their democratic and intercultural competences and encourage them to participate more actively in their communities. If this format is new to you, our guide explains what an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is and how it works.
What You Will Do During the Exchange
🗳️ Democracy and participation: explore the meaning and importance of democracy, participation and active citizenship
🗣️ Local challenges: discuss the democratic challenges faced in your own country and community
🌏 Diversity: learn about multiculturalism, diversity, inclusion and intercultural dialogue
🧩 Skills: develop skills in teamwork, leadership, communication and democratic participation
🔄 Good practices: share experiences and good practices on youth participation and social inclusion
🚫 Stereotypes: challenge stereotypes, prejudices, discrimination and intolerance
🇪🇺 European values: strengthen your sense of European cooperation, solidarity and shared democratic values
🎨 Joint outputs: create joint outputs promoting democracy, participation, diversity and intercultural understanding
How You Will Learn
The exchange uses non-formal education methods. Participants take part in:
🛠️ Interactive workshops
💬 Group discussions
🎭 Simulations and role plays
🏆 Teamwork challenges
✏️ Creative activities
🌙 Intercultural evenings
These activities are designed to foster democratic participation, critical thinking, intercultural dialogue and cross-cultural cooperation.
Who Organises It?
🏢 Hosting organisation: Demokrasi ve Hukuk Çalışmaları Derneği (Democracy and Law Studies Association, DELSAS), founded in 2019 in Adana, Türkiye, with the aim of spreading democratic culture and awareness of human rights, and promoting active citizenship, solidarity, tolerance, multiculturalism and peace. It supports young people to experience European mobilities through job offers, scholarships, internships, volunteering and exchanges. Its members are mainly professionals working in law or other social sciences.
🥊 Coordinating organisation: Lucky Punch Jugendhilfe gGmbH, founded in 2015 in Leipzig, Germany, with a multidisciplinary team of over 50 professionals. It provides residential and outpatient youth welfare services in Leipzig and the surrounding region, supporting children, young people and families in need. Sports and movement are at the core of its methodology.
The project is co-funded by the European Union.
Partner Countries and Group Sizes
🇩🇪 Germany: 7 participants (including 1 group leader), Lucky Punch Jugendhilfe gGmbH
🇱🇻 Latvia: 6 participants (including 1 group leader), EXPRESS YOURSELF
🇲🇰 North Macedonia: 6 participants (including 1 group leader), BRIGHT
🇷🇴 Romania: 6 participants (including 1 group leader), Asociata Culturala Moldavia
🇷🇸 Serbia: 6 participants (including 1 group leader), Crveni krst Srbije - Crveni krst Krusevac
🇹🇷 Türkiye: 7 participants (including 1 group leader), Demokrasi ve Hukuk Calismalari Dernegi
Who Can Apply?
Young people who live in Germany, Latvia, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia or Türkiye can apply. Each national group consists of:
🎂 5 participants aged 18-30
🧭 1 group leader, with no age limit
Designed for Young People with Fewer Opportunities
This youth exchange is specifically designed for young people with fewer opportunities. All participants are young people facing economic, social, cultural, educational or geographic challenges, who may have limited access to international mobility and intercultural learning experiences.
The project offers a safe and supportive environment to explore democracy and multiculturalism, understand democratic values and intercultural dialogue, build confidence and develop a sense of responsibility toward more inclusive and democratic communities. If you need individual support, contact your sending or hosting organisation to ensure your full participation and well-being. Our guide on inclusion support in Erasmus+ and ESC explains what extra help can be available.
The Ideal Participant
🔍 Curious and open-minded: willing to learn about democracy, multiculturalism and intercultural understanding
📚 Motivated: ready to take part in non-formal learning activities on democratic values, active citizenship and cultural diversity
🌐 Engaged: interested in promoting democratic participation, inclusion, respect for diversity and intercultural dialogue
🏘️ Willing to share: ready to share democratic challenges, cultural experiences, local realities and good practices from your community
👥 Team player: ready to actively engage in group activities, teamwork and discussions
🔤 English: able to communicate in English at a basic level during activities
The Role of Group Leaders
Group leaders, preferably with experience in Erasmus+ projects or working with young people with fewer opportunities, support their national group before, during and after the exchange. They ensure effective communication, support participants' learning on democracy, multiculturalism, active citizenship and intercultural dialogue, and help create a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment for everyone.
Follow-Up in Your Community
Selected participants are expected to contribute to follow-up activities in their communities after the exchange.
Arrival, Departure and Extra Days
🛬 Arrival: 19 November 2026 (dinner only)
🛫 Departure: 29 November 2026 (breakfast only)
📅 Extra days: you may arrive in Türkiye up to 3 days before the project or stay up to 3 days after, provided the combined total does not exceed 3 days
💶 Extra costs: all extra accommodation and travel costs are the participant's responsibility
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🌍 All opportunities in Türkiye →
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Participation Fee and What Is Covered
⚠️ No participation fee: the infopack states clearly that there is no participation fee in this project
🛌 Accommodation: covered
🍽️ Food: covered, with 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and coffee breaks at the hotel
🚌 Travel: costs from your city to and from the venue can be reimbursed after the project
For a wider picture of how these grants work, see our guide on what Erasmus+ pays for in a youth project.
Maximum Travel Reimbursement by Country
🇩🇪 Germany: €395 (green travel: no)
🇱🇻 Latvia: €395 (green travel: no)
🇲🇰 North Macedonia: €309 (green travel: no)
🇷🇴 Romania: €309 (green travel: no)
🇷🇸 Serbia: €309 (green travel: no)
🇹🇷 Türkiye: €0 (green travel: yes)
The maximum reimbursable amount is based on the European Commission's distance calculator. Read our guide on how Erasmus+ travel reimbursement works to understand these figures.
Rules for Travel Reimbursement
1️⃣ Cheapest option only: only the cheapest travel option between your country and the venue is accepted. Send your travel plan to the coordinating organisation for approval before booking anything
2️⃣ Official dates: only travel costs during the official activity dates are reimbursed
3️⃣ Not covered: bank transfer fees and taxi expenses
4️⃣ Documents: scan and email all travel documents to the coordinating organisation
5️⃣ Currency: all expenses must be converted to euros using the official ECB exchange rate from the date of payment
6️⃣ Missed sessions: if you miss sessions because of late arrival or early departure, the daily amount is deducted from the reimbursement
7️⃣ Extra costs: extra baggage fees, insurance, penalties for flight changes or similar costs are not covered
8️⃣ Inconsistencies: if there is any inconsistency or manipulation in your booking or documents, no travel reimbursement is given
9️⃣ Where to buy: buy tickets only from official websites, preferably directly from the transport company after your plan is approved. Do not use travel agencies
Travel Tips
🚆 From another city in Türkiye: it is convenient and eco-friendly to travel to Antalya by bus, train or car-pooling (green travel options)
✈️ From Germany, Latvia, North Macedonia, Romania or Serbia: eco-friendly transport is possible but not mandatory
🧳 Your journey: organise your own journey or contact your sending organisation for a possible joint journey, and read the reimbursement rules before purchasing anything
❓ Help: if you have questions or need help organising your trip, the organisers invite you to contact them
The Venue: Havana Hotel, Kemer
The exchange takes place at Havana Hotel in Kemer, Antalya, at Merkez Mah. 127 Sok. No:1 Kemer, Antalya / Türkiye.
🛏️ Rooms: you stay in triple or quadruple shared rooms
📶 In the room: free Wi-Fi, towels and slippers
🕑 Check-in: after 14:00 on 19 November
🕙 Check-out: latest 10:00 on 29 November
How to Get to the Venue
From Antalya Airport to Antalya Bus Terminal ("Otogar"):
🚋 Option 1, tramway (T1A line): get off at Pil Fabrikası, then walk about 900 m to the bus terminal
🚍 Option 2, municipal bus 600: runs every 30 minutes from 06:00, with night departures at 01:15 and 03:45
🎫 Payment: for both tram and bus, use a single-use paper ticket or a contactless credit/debit card (tap to pay)
From Antalya Bus Terminal to Kemer:
🏷️ Section: go to the section labelled "İlçeler Terminali"
🚐 Minibus: ask for the minibus ("dolmuş") to Kemer; they are clearly labelled "KEMER" and leave frequently throughout the day
🌃 Last bus: departs at 22:55
From Kemer centre to the hotel:
🕰️ Stop: tell the minibus driver you want to get off at "Kemer Saat Kulesi" (Kemer Clock Tower), a common central stop
🚶 Walk: from the Clock Tower, it is about an 11-minute walk (approx. 800 m) to Havana Hotel
🙋 Directions: you can ask locals, as it is a well-known location in the area
📡 Airport Wi-Fi: Antalya Airport offers 1 hour of free Wi-Fi in all terminals and arrival/departure halls. No membership is needed, just a valid phone, ID or passport; PIN codes are available at Wi-Fi kiosks.
What to Bring
🧥 Clothes for autumn: comfortable clothes for mild but changeable autumn weather, warmer layers, a waterproof or rain jacket and closed shoes, as November in Kemer can be cool, especially in the evenings, and rainy days are possible. Check the weather forecast before coming
☂️ Umbrella: a small umbrella is recommended in case of rain
🩱 Swimsuit: if you want to use the hotel pool or swim in the sea; the weather and sea temperature in November may be cooler
🧴 Personal care: toiletries, sunscreen and personal medications
📣 Promotional materials: flyers and posters from your organisation, if available
🍲 Intercultural evening: food, snacks, drinks, music, traditional clothes and souvenirs
🎲 Energizers and games: if you know any, bring them or prepare to lead one during the sessions
😊 Most importantly: a positive attitude and an open mind
Useful Information for Your Stay
🎉 Intercultural evenings: each group briefly presents its country; bring some typical food and drink or other national products and flags
💱 Currency: the official currency is the Turkish lira. Several exchange offices around the city accept euros or US dollars; you can also exchange money in banks or withdraw cash from an ATM (check your bank's fees)
🩺 Insurance: make sure you have sufficient insurance. The European Health Insurance Card is normally not valid in Türkiye, so arrange separate travel health insurance for your stay
📱 Roaming: Türkiye is not part of the EU Roaming Agreement. To avoid a large mobile bill, turn off data roaming before arrival; there is free Wi-Fi in the hotel
🚨 Emergency number: 112
How to Apply
Read the infopack first, then fill in the online application form ("Application Form - Bridges for Democracy"). The host organisation selects the participants. If you have any questions, you can contact the organisers' contact person, Korkut Korkmaz, by e-mail or WhatsApp. Find more youth exchanges like this in our Erasmus+ listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to Bridges for Democracy?
Young people aged 18 to 30 who live in Germany, Latvia, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia or Türkiye. The exchange is designed for young people with fewer opportunities, and each country also sends one group leader with no age limit.
When and where does the youth exchange take place?
From 19 to 29 November 2026 at Havana Hotel in Kemer, Antalya, Türkiye. Arrival is on 19 November (dinner only) and departure on 29 November (breakfast only).
Is there a participation fee?
No. The infopack states that there is no participation fee. Food and accommodation are covered, and travel costs from your city to the venue and back can be reimbursed after the project.
How much travel money can I get back?
Up to €395 from Germany and Latvia and up to €309 from North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. The amount for Türkiye is €0, with green travel options such as bus, train or car-pooling recommended.
Can I book my ticket right away?
No. Send your travel plan to the coordinating organisation for approval before booking anything. Buy tickets only from official websites, preferably directly from the transport company, and do not use travel agencies.
How many participants are there?
There are 38 participants in total. Germany and Türkiye send 7 people each and Latvia, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia send 6 each, always including one group leader.
What level of English do I need?
You need to be able to communicate in English at a basic level during the activities.
Can I arrive early or stay longer?
Yes. You can arrive up to 3 days before or stay up to 3 days after the project, as long as the combined total does not exceed 3 days. Extra accommodation and travel costs are paid by you.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. The European Health Insurance Card is normally not valid in Türkiye, so you need separate travel health insurance for the duration of your stay.
Is there an application deadline?
There is no fixed deadline, so you should apply as soon as possible. The host organisation selects the participants.
Project Snapshot
📌 Type: Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
📍 Location: Havana Hotel, Kemer, Antalya, Türkiye
🗓️ Activity Dates: 19-29 November 2026 (arrival 19 November, departure 29 November)
🌍 Countries: Germany, Latvia, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye
🎂 Age: 18-30 (group leaders: no age limit)
Deadline
⏳ As soon as possible!
Links
🔗 Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbibivXKRFC2tEYc11xFYLvpdWSEqrkGQlPd01RWAcruq-hw/viewform
📄 Infopack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OujUnWlawuJOeQhxyzYNPMx2nC9blEqW/view
📧 Contact person (Korkut Korkmaz): korkutkorkmaz.delsas@gmail.com
💬 WhatsApp: +90 536 060 0259
🧾 Travel plan approval and travel documents (Lucky Punch Jugendhilfe): erasmus@lucky-punch-jugendhilfe.de
📸 Instagram (DELSAS): https://instagram.com/delsas01
📘 Facebook (DELSAS): https://facebook.com/delsas01
🏨 Venue (Havana Hotel): https://hotelhavana.com.tr
