E.C.H.O: Amplifying Youth Voices for a Stronger Europe is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Svelgen, Norway, from 18 to 24 November 2026, for participants from Lithuania. The topic is digital democracy and youth participation: spotting misinformation, building counter-narratives to fake news and using digital platforms to speak up for youth priorities. Travel costs are reimbursed, and there is no fixed deadline, so it is best to 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 the E.C.H.O Project?
E.C.H.O: Amplifying Youth Voices for a Stronger Europe is a European Youth Together project under Erasmus+ that brings together youth organisations from nine countries. Its aim is to strengthen youth participation, civic engagement and youth-led dialogue by connecting local actions with European-level cooperation.
The project helps young people understand and apply the EU Youth Strategy and the 11 European Youth Goals in real-life contexts. This Youth Exchange in Svelgen is one of its activities.
The Theme: Empowering Voices, Digital Democracy and Youth Participation
The Youth Exchange runs under the theme "Empowering voices: Digital Democracy & Youth Participation". Its objective is to empower young people with the skills and knowledge needed to engage in digital democracy and to take part in European policymaking processes.
If you want to see how this kind of activity works across Erasmus+, read our guide on Erasmus+ youth participation activities.
What You Will Work On
The exchange focuses on four areas:
๐ต๏ธ Combating misinformation: learning to recognise and question false information
๐ป Digital literacy: understanding how digital media and platforms shape what we see
๐งฉ Counter-narratives to fake news: developing responses that challenge misleading stories
๐ข Online civic engagement: using digital platforms to advocate for youth priorities and using technology for democratic participation
A Youth Exchange on Norway's West Coast
The activity takes place in Svelgen, on Norway's west coast. The venue is Kulturhuset Realen.
New to this format? Our guide explains what an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is and how groups from different countries learn together.
Dates: Arrival, Activity Days and Departure
๐ฌ Arrival day: 18 November 2026
๐๏ธ Activity days: 19 to 23 November 2026
๐ซ Departure day: 24 November 2026
In total the exchange lasts 7 days: 5 programme days plus 2 travel days.
Who Can Apply?
The application form is for young people who live in Lithuania. The call does not list any other requirements, so read the infopack before you apply.
Group Size: 5 Participants Plus 1 Group Leader
Each country group has 5 participants + 1 group leader, which makes 6 people in the group. The host organisation selects the participants.
The Host and the Partner Organisations
The exchange is hosted by Exploring Cultural Campfire Opportunities (ECCO) in Norway. The infopack lists Lithuania, Belgium and France as partner countries, with these organisations:
๐ฑ๐น IVAIGO (Lithuania): a non-profit organisation supporting people from diverse backgrounds and promoting social inclusion, with a focus on personal development through non-formal education, mentoring and awareness activities in culture, education, employment and health
๐ง๐ช Digital Leadership Institute (DLI) (Belgium): a Brussels-based NGO dedicated to digital inclusion and gender equality in ESTEAM sectors, which empowers girls and women through leadership training, entrepreneurship support and digital skills, with extensive experience in EU projects on digital transformation and female leadership
๐ซ๐ท Cooliving (France): an NGO that started as an informal youth group and became an "Association" with increased capacity in 2020, with experience in eco-friendly initiatives and the goal of fostering environmentally conscious, responsible and engaged young people
The Programme, Day by Day
Each day starts with breakfast and runs from 10:00 with breaks and lunch; on Days 1 to 4 a reflection session follows from 17:00, then dinner. The timetable in the infopack lists these sessions:
1๏ธโฃ Day 1 (Thursday 19 November): "ME: Find my voice", ECHO info, getting to know each other and team building; "My coat of arms: Who Am I"; "Take a Stand: WHAT DO I THINK?"; "HOW DO I EXPRESS IT?"; evening social gathering at Aktivitetsbasen
2๏ธโฃ Day 2 (Friday 20 November): "WE: Media, Influence & Truth: Who influences me?"; "Same pictures, Different Story"; "The ECHO Rumour"; "Me Feed, My Reality"; evening Intercultural Night
3๏ธโฃ Day 3 (Saturday 21 November): "COMMUNITY: What matters to young people and our community, what matters to young people and how do we know?"; "Community Safari"; "Ask the Community"; "Through My Eyes"; evening Open Aktivitetsbase
4๏ธโฃ Day 4 (Sunday 22 November): "ACTION: Make a Difference, how can young people influence society? The Influence Web"; "Mayor for a Day"; "60 Seconds to Make Me Care: Who Should We Talk To?"; free afternoon and free evening
5๏ธโฃ Day 5 (Monday 23 November): "ECHO: Make your voice travel, turn ideas into messages and action, SoMe, OUR ACTION MAP"; "My First Step"; "Meet our Major" at 14:00; Youthpass, feedback and final closing at 17:00; evening social gathering at ร pen Kulturhus Realen
Cultural Evening
The Cultural Evening is led by participants. Each group presents parts of its culture, such as traditions, music, dances, games, symbols or typical food. The aim is an informal and friendly space for intercultural exchange, mutual learning and social bonding, where sharing stories and cultural practices helps break stereotypes and build understanding and respect.
What Is Expected From Participants
Participants are expected to:
๐ Actively participate in all sessions
๐ฌ Contribute to discussions and group work
๐ค Respect group rules
๐ฑ Support an inclusive learning environment
Youthpass Certificate
The final day includes a Youthpass session together with feedback and the closing. To learn what this certificate records and how to use it, see our guide on what Youthpass is.
Sharing the Project: Dissemination Rules
๐ฒ During the exchange: each participating organisation must publish at least one social media post about the activity, using the official project hashtag and Erasmus+ visibility elements; photos and short videos should focus on activities and learning moments
๐๏ธ After the exchange: each organisation must support participants in carrying out at least one follow-up activity at local level and share the results through a post, short article or presentation within their community
Travel Costs Are Reimbursed: The Rules
Travel costs are reimbursed, under these conditions from the infopack:
โ Approval first: all travel must be approved in advance by the sending organisation
๐บ Economy only: only economy class travel is eligible
๐ No taxis: taxi or private transport costs are not reimbursed
๐ 80% attendance: you must attend at least 80% of the programme activities to be eligible for reimbursement
โฑ๏ธ Timing: reimbursement may take several months after the exchange, in line with project financial procedures
For the general picture, see our guide on how Erasmus+ travel reimbursement works.
Documents You Must Keep for Reimbursement
Each participant must provide:
๐ซ Travel ticket (flight, train or bus)
๐ Boarding passes for all journeys (outbound and return)
๐งพ Invoice or proof of payment for the travel ticket
โ๏ธ Connecting flights: keep and submit the boarding pass for each connection
๐ธ Originals and photos: keep the original boarding passes; photos or scans may be requested, so take a clear photo of each boarding pass in case the original is not available
๐ Submission: all travel documents must be submitted no later than the second day of the exchange, unless your sending organisation tells you otherwise
โ Missing documents: travel expenses without valid tickets, boarding passes or invoices will not be reimbursed
How to Get to Svelgen
The nearest airports are Bergen or Oslo. The infopack asks you to contact your organisation about travel and to make sure you can complete the entire journey to Svelgen.
How to Apply
Read the infopack first, then fill in the online application form for participants from Lithuania. The host organisation selects the participants. As there is no fixed deadline, applying early gives you the best chance. You can find more Erasmus+ projects on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to E.C.H.O: Amplifying Youth Voices for a Stronger Europe?
Young people who live in Lithuania. The application form is only for participants from Lithuania, and the host organisation selects the participants.
When and where does the Youth Exchange take place?
In Svelgen, Norway, from 18 to 24 November 2026. 18 November is the arrival day, 19 to 23 November are activity days and 24 November is the departure day.
What is the topic of the exchange?
Digital democracy and youth participation. Participants work on combating misinformation, digital literacy, counter-narratives to fake news and online civic engagement.
Is it free?
Travel costs are reimbursed, under the rules in the infopack: approval in advance by the sending organisation, economy class only, the required travel documents and at least 80% attendance.
How many people are in each group?
Each country group has 5 participants and 1 group leader, 6 people in total.
What documents do I need for travel reimbursement?
Your travel ticket, boarding passes for all journeys (including each connecting flight) and an invoice or proof of payment. Submit them no later than the second day of the exchange, unless your sending organisation says otherwise.
Which airport should I fly to?
The nearest airports are Bergen or Oslo. Contact your organisation about travel and make sure you can complete the whole journey to Svelgen.
Will I receive a certificate?
The last programme day includes a Youthpass session together with feedback and the final closing.
What is the E.C.H.O project?
A European Youth Together project under Erasmus+ that connects youth organisations from nine countries to strengthen youth participation, civic engagement and youth-led dialogue, using the EU Youth Strategy and the 11 European Youth Goals.
When is the application deadline?
There is no fixed deadline. Apply as soon as possible.
Project Snapshot
๐ Type: Youth Exchange (Erasmus+ European Youth Together)
๐ Location: Kulturhuset Realen, Svelgen, Norway
๐๏ธ Activity Dates: 18-24 November 2026 (arrival 18 November, activity days 19-23 November, departure 24 November)
๐ Countries: Lithuania
๐ข Project Number: 101246286
Deadline
โณ As soon as possible!
Links
๐ Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesjUQiC2LfljsRtIaUmZ0ZkI4DRKA5c0VJL9k86dN9yRZNDA/viewform
๐ Infopack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QjnRUEBHTiYLwe_M7NGkS5X7K-xezBY2/view
๐ฉ Contact e-mail (Hanne Isene, ECCO): exploringecco@gmail.com
