Balkan Flavors United: A Fusion of Taste and Tradition is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Popova Shapka, North Macedonia, from 17 to 23 November 2026 (7 days). This call is open to young people aged 18-29 from North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia. Accommodation and meals are covered and travel costs are reimbursed up to โฌ285. There is no fixed deadline, so apply as soon as possible. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the official call and the full infopack, and this guide brings every detail together.
What Is Balkan Flavors United About?
Balkan Flavors United is a youth exchange about Balkan food heritage, hosted in the mountain resort of Popova Shapka, near Tetovo. Participants explore Balkan culinary heritage through non-formal education, creativity and intercultural cooperation. If this format is new to you, our guide explains what an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is and how it works.
During the week you will:
๐ฅ Share traditional recipes and food stories from your family and country
๐ฉโ๐ณ Cook fusion dishes together with young people from other countries
๐ Create a joint digital cookbook using storytelling, photography, video and responsible use of AI tools
๐ Join intercultural evenings and cultural visits
Through workshops, cooking activities, intercultural evenings, cultural visits and teamwork, participants strengthen their communication, creativity, digital and intercultural competences while promoting youth participation, sustainable food practices, reduced food waste and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Key Objectives of the Exchange
The infopack lists eleven objectives:
๐ค Promote intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation among young people from the Balkans
๐บ Encourage appreciation of culinary heritage, cultural traditions and diversity
๐งช Develop creativity through traditional and fusion recipe creation
๐ฅ Improve digital competences through storytelling, photography, video and content production
๐ง Promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence in creative work
๐ฃ๏ธ Strengthen teamwork, communication, problem-solving, public speaking and leadership skills
๐ Encourage active youth participation and ownership throughout the project
โป๏ธ Promote sustainable food practices, reduced food waste and responsible travel
๐ Create a joint digital cookbook as a lasting educational and dissemination result
๐ฑ Support the participation of young people with fewer opportunities
๐ Help participants recognise and document their learning outcomes through Youthpass
How the Programme Works: Working Methods
The exchange runs on non-formal learning methods:
๐ ๏ธ Learning by Doing: participants take part in storytelling and digital content creation activities
๐ง Ice-breakers and Team-building: interactive games and group challenges help participants get to know each other, build trust and strengthen cooperation
๐งโ๐ซ Workshops: interactive sessions on Balkan culinary traditions, cultural heritage, creativity, digital storytelling, sustainability and the responsible use of artificial intelligence
๐งฉ Group Work and Creative Challenges: mixed-nationality teams develop traditional and fusion recipes, create digital materials and contribute to the joint cookbook
๐ญ Cultural Exchange: intercultural evenings, food stories and cultural presentations encourage participants to share their traditions, experiences and perspectives
๐ช Reflection and Peer Learning: daily reflection, feedback and group discussions help participants recognise their learning and exchange ideas they can apply in their local communities
Who Can Apply? The Participant Profile
Participants should:
๐ Be between 18 and 29 years old and live in North Macedonia, Albania or Serbia
๐ค Have a strong interest in exploring AI and its applications
๐ผ Be motivated to develop personal and professional skills in an international setting (communication, teamwork, problem-solving, conflict management)
๐ข Be willing to contribute to the success of the project and share their experiences after the exchange
๐ Be ready to work in an intercultural learning environment, adapting to diverse perspectives and contributing to project activities
Note: at least one participant must be a young person with fewer opportunities (for example, those facing economic, social or geographical barriers, or cultural differences). The organisers also encourage equal gender representation from all partner organisations.
Group Size and Language
๐ฅ Per country: 4 participants + 1 group leader
๐ข In total: 15 participants in this call
๐ฃ๏ธ Working language: English. The infopack notes that basic English proficiency is sufficient to understand and be understood
Host and Partner Organisations
The exchange is hosted by Infinium in North Macedonia. The partner organisations for the countries in this call are:
๐ฒ๐ฐ INFINIUM (North Macedonia)
๐ท๐ธ A.G.A. FILMS (Serbia)
๐ฆ๐ฑ CNELL (Albania)
The host organisation selects the participants.
Venue: Hotel and Spa Arena, Popova Shapka
The exchange takes place at Hotel and Spa Arena in Popova Shapka, a mountain resort about 20 km from Tetovo and around 64 km from Skopje. Popova Shapka sits at an altitude of approximately 1,780 metres and is surrounded by the natural environment of the Shar Mountain area. The organisers describe the location as suitable for educational activities, outdoor learning, cultural exchange and reflection in nature.
๐จ Facilities: a conference room, restaurant, reception, terrace and a spa centre with a swimming pool and sauna
Accommodation and Meals
๐๏ธ Accommodation and meals are 100% covered by Erasmus+
๐ฟ Rooms: participants stay in multi-bed rooms with private bathrooms
๐ป Gender-separated rooms, shared with peers from different countries to promote intercultural exchange
๐ณ Meals: full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) plus a coffee break, served daily in the hotel restaurant
๐ฅ Dietary needs: special dietary needs should be notified in advance
โ ๏ธ Room responsibility: participants are responsible for their room, and any damage caused will be charged
Our guide on what Erasmus+ pays for in a youth project explains how food, accommodation and travel are funded.
Travel Costs and Reimbursement
Travel costs are covered according to the Erasmus+ distance bands and the approved project budget. The maximum travel support per person is:
๐ฒ๐ฐ North Macedonia: โฌ56 green travel
๐ท๐ธ Serbia: โฌ285 green travel
๐ฆ๐ฑ Albania: โฌ285 green travel
These amounts are the maximum approved Erasmus+ support. If your actual travel costs are higher, the difference may not be reimbursed. Read more about how Erasmus+ travel reimbursement works and about green travel in Erasmus+ and ESC.
Travel Rules You Need to Follow
โ Confirm your travel plans with your group leader before booking
๐ซ Keep all original travel tickets and receipts
๐ซ Keep boarding passes where applicable
๐ Travel according to the dates and instructions provided by the organisers
๐ค Send copies of all relevant travel documents to the organisation
๐ซ Avoid booking non-refundable tickets without prior approval
๐ฃ Inform the organisers about delays, cancellations or changes
๐ Taxi costs are generally not reimbursable unless they are specifically approved in advance by the organiser
Weather in Popova Shapka in November
Expect daily temperatures around 5-15ยฐC, with cooler mornings and evenings. Be sure to bring:
๐ Comfortable shoes and clothing for both day and night
๐ฅพ Hiking gear for outdoor activities
Health and Travel Insurance
All participants are responsible for having valid health and travel insurance for the duration of the journey and the Youth Exchange. Inform the organisers in advance of any health conditions, medications or dietary restrictions (for example, vegetarian, vegan or intolerances).
Emergency numbers in North Macedonia:
๐ 112: general emergency number
๐ 194: ambulance
๐ฎ 192: police
๐ 193: fire brigade
Safety and Wellbeing
The organisers state that the safety and wellbeing of all participants is a priority. Participants are expected to:
๐งญ Follow the instructions of facilitators and group leaders
โฐ Respect the programme timetable and agreed meeting times
๐ช Inform the group leader before leaving the venue
โฐ๏ธ Avoid dangerous behaviour during outdoor activities
๐งโ๐ณ Follow food safety and kitchen safety instructions
๐ Respect the accommodation rules
๐ซ Use the buddy system during excursions and free time
๐ Inform the organisers about any problem as soon as possible
๐ก๏ธ Respect personal boundaries and privacy
๐ Contribute to a safe and inclusive group environment
Participants receive a safety briefing at the beginning of the Youth Exchange.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
The project applies a zero-tolerance policy towards:
๐ท Discrimination
โ Racism
โ Harassment
๐ Bullying
๐ Sexual harassment
๐ Hate speech
๐ Violence
๐จ Intimidation
๐งฏ Any behaviour that threatens the safety or dignity of others
What to Bring
๐ Valid passport or ID
๐งฅ Warm clothes and shoes for the mountain area
๐งด Personal hygiene products
๐ฉน Personal medication
๐ป Laptop for group work (1 per country)
๐ฉฑ Swimwear and slippers for the spa centre
๐ Positive attitude, openness and willingness to participate
A Few Macedonian Words Before You Arrive
The infopack includes a short Macedonian language guide. Some useful phrases:
๐ Hello: Zdravo
๐ Good morning: Dobro utro
๐ Good evening: Dobra veฤer
๐ Good night: Dobra nokj
๐ถ Goodbye: Do viduvanje
๐ See you soon: Se gledame naskoro
๐ How are you?: Kako si?
๐ Good: Dobro
โ๏ธ Yes / No: Da / Ne
๐ Thank you: Blagodaram
๐ฌ Please: Molam
๐ You're welcome: Nema na ลกto
๐ Sorry / Excuse me: Izvinete
โ I don't understand: Ne razbiram
๐ฌ๐ง Do you speak English?: Dali zboruvate angliski?
๐ถ How much does it cost?: Kolku ฤini?
๐ป Where is the bathroom?: Kade e toaletot?
๐บ๏ธ Where is the way to...?: Koj e patot do...?
๐คฒ May I have...?: Moลพe li da dobijam...?
๐ Help!: Pomoลก!
๐ง Water: Voda
๐ Bread: Leb
๐ Delicious: Vkusno
๐ฅณ Cheers!: Nazdravje!
๐ฅ Food: Hrana
โ Coffee: Kafe
๐ต Tea: ฤaj
๐ด Enjoy your meal!: Prijatno!
๐๏ธ Peace: Mir
๐ I love you: Te sakam
Youthpass Certificate
Every participant receives a Youthpass certificate. Our guide on what Youthpass is explains how it documents the competences you gain during the exchange.
How to Apply
Apply through the online application form and read the infopack first. The host organisation selects the participants. The organisers recommend checking the infopack before applying. Questions can be sent to the project coordinator by email or via Viber or WhatsApp.
Find more projects like this in our Erasmus+ listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when does Balkan Flavors United take place?
The exchange takes place at Hotel and Spa Arena in Popova Shapka, a mountain resort about 20 km from Tetovo, North Macedonia, from 17 to 23 November 2026. The venue sits at about 1,780 metres in the Shar Mountain area.
Who can apply to this Youth Exchange?
Young people aged 18-29 who live in North Macedonia, Albania or Serbia can apply. Each country sends 4 participants and 1 group leader, and at least one participant must be a young person with fewer opportunities.
Is the exchange free?
Accommodation and meals are 100% covered by Erasmus+ and travel costs are reimbursed up to the limit for your country. If your real travel costs are higher than the approved amount, the difference may not be reimbursed.
How much travel support will I receive?
The maximum travel support is โฌ56 (green travel) for North Macedonia and โฌ285 (green travel) for Serbia and Albania. You need to keep all original tickets, receipts and boarding passes.
Do I need good English?
The working language is English, but the infopack states that basic English proficiency is sufficient to understand and be understood.
Do I need experience with AI or digital tools?
No experience requirement is listed, but participants should have a strong interest in exploring AI and its applications. The joint digital cookbook is created with storytelling, photography, video and responsible use of AI tools.
What will I do during the week?
You will share traditional recipes and food stories, cook fusion dishes, create a joint digital cookbook and join intercultural evenings and cultural visits, alongside workshops, team-building and daily reflection.
Where will I sleep?
Participants stay in gender-separated multi-bed rooms with private bathrooms, shared with peers from different countries. Full-board meals and a coffee break are served in the hotel restaurant.
Can I take a taxi from the airport or station?
Taxi costs are generally not reimbursable unless they are specifically approved in advance by the organiser. Confirm your travel plans with your group leader before booking.
What should I pack?
Bring a valid passport or ID, warm clothes and shoes for the mountains, hygiene products, personal medication, swimwear and slippers for the spa centre, and hiking gear. Each country brings one laptop for group work.
What certificate will I get?
Every participant receives a Youthpass certificate that recognises the learning outcomes of the exchange.
When is the application deadline?
There is no fixed deadline, so you should apply as soon as possible.
Project Snapshot
๐ Type: Youth Exchange
๐ Location: Hotel and Spa Arena, Popova Shapka, North Macedonia
๐๏ธ Activity Dates: 17-23 November 2026
๐ Countries: North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia
๐ Age: 18-29
Deadline
โณ As soon as possible!
Links
๐ Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mj5Dp2MjpZ2g6tNbD3ay6DYBw0PbS73VTFFbWm5M6lk/viewform
๐ Infopack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1APXfGnQqomRV58bu6ck6z7ZgEwF5CwRa/view
๐จ Venue website: https://www.hotelarena.mk
๐ง Contact email (Dejan Galovski, Project Coordinator): infinium.mk@gmail.com
๐ฑ Viber or WhatsApp: +38970389064
