What Moves Us When We Unplug? is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Freudenstadt, Germany, from 29 November to 7 December 2026 (9 days). It brings together 40 young people from Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Estonia and Italy to explore digital well-being, mental health and meaningful offline connection. Accommodation, meals, local transportation related to the programme and activity costs are fully covered, and travel is reimbursed according to Erasmus+ distance bands. 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 the Exchange About?
The youth exchange is about something many of us experience every day: being constantly connected, but sometimes feeling disconnected from ourselves, from others and from the world around us. Phones, social media, messages and notifications are part of our lives. But what happens when we take a step back for a moment?
The project invites young people to slow down, reconnect with their creativity, spend meaningful time together and explore healthier ways of balancing online and offline life. Through art, storytelling, theatre, outdoor challenges, intercultural activities and shared experiences, participants discover new ways to express themselves, build genuine connections and reflect on what truly inspires and motivates them. New to this format? Our guide explains what an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is.
Main Objectives
๐ต Unplug, reflect and reconnect
๐จ Boost creativity through offline experiences
๐ช Strengthen well-being and resilience
๐ Connect across cultures and perspectives
๐ Empower young people to take initiative
๐๏ธ Turn ideas into positive community impact
Topics of the Project
๐ฑ Digital & Media
๐ง Mental Health & Wellbeing
If the topic speaks to you, our guide on mental health and wellbeing on an Erasmus+ or ESC project is a useful read before you go.
How You Will Learn
The exchange uses non-formal education methods such as:
๐ ๏ธ Creative workshops
๐ Storytelling
๐ญ Theatre
๐ฅพ Outdoor activities
๐ Intercultural evenings
๐ฅ Peer learning
๐ช Reflection sessions
Through these methods, participants explore the project theme while developing new skills, confidence and friendships.
What Will You Gain?
๐ A better understanding of your digital habits
โ๏ธ New ways to express yourself through creativity and teamwork
โ๏ธ Practical tools for balancing online and offline life
๐ค New connections with people from different countries
๐ฌ Skills in communication, collaboration and problem-solving
Who Can Apply?
Young people who live in Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Estonia or Italy can apply. The project brings together 40 young people from these five countries for a week of learning, creativity and intercultural exchange. Participants from different backgrounds and experiences come together to share ideas, learn from one another and build meaningful connections.
๐งณ No previous Erasmus+ experience is needed: only openness, curiosity and motivation to take part
Young People with Fewer Opportunities Are Encouraged
The project especially encourages the participation of young people with fewer opportunities. Our guide on inclusion support in Erasmus+ and ESC explains what extra help can be available.
Partner Organisations
๐ฉ๐ช EU Aktivisten e. V. (Germany)
๐ญ๐ท Udruga za osnaลพivanje mladih Uroboros (Croatia)
๐ท๐ธ Evropska Organizacija Mladih (Serbia)
๐ฎ๐น Associazione Welcome On Board (Italy)
๐ช๐ช MTU Youth Planet (Estonia)
The youth exchange is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and supported by the German National Agency.
Participation Rules
This is a Youth Exchange project, not a tourist trip. Participants are expected to:
โ Actively participate in all sessions
๐ Be respectful and inclusive
โฐ Arrive on time to activities
๐ Contribute to a positive group atmosphere
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐ All opportunities in Germany โ
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
Accommodation: DJH Youth Hostel Freudenstadt
Participants stay at the DJH Youth Hostel Freudenstadt, located in the beautiful Black Forest region. The accommodation provides:
๐๏ธ Shared rooms
๐๏ธ Common spaces
๐ถ Wi-Fi access
๐งฉ Workshop areas for group activities and intercultural exchange
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee breaks are provided during the project days, and vegetarian options are available. Inform the organisers in advance about:
๐ฅ Food allergies
๐ฅ Vegan/vegetarian diets
๐ฉบ Medical conditions
๐ Other special needs
What Is Covered
๐ Accommodation
๐ฝ๏ธ Meals
๐ Local transportation related to the programme
๐๏ธ Activity costs
โ๏ธ Travel costs: reimbursed according to Erasmus+ distance bands and project rules
For a wider picture, see our guide on what Erasmus+ pays for in a youth project.
Travel Reimbursement by Country
๐ฉ๐ช Germany (EU Aktivisten e. V. / local participants): โฌ0
๐ญ๐ท Croatia (Udruga za osnaลพivanje mladih Uroboros): โฌ309
๐ท๐ธ Serbia (Evropska Organizacija Mladih): โฌ309
๐ฎ๐น Italy (Associazione Welcome On Board): โฌ309
๐ช๐ช Estonia (MTU Youth Planet): โฌ395
Reimbursement is made by bank transfer after the project and only after receiving all required original travel documents. Keep all tickets and receipts carefully, as missing documents cannot be reimbursed. Read our guide on how Erasmus+ travel reimbursement works to understand these amounts.
Before Booking Your Tickets
๐จ Send your travel plan to the organisers before buying any ticket
โ Wait for approval before purchasing tickets
โ ๏ธ Tickets bought without approval may not be reimbursed
Covered and Not Covered Travel Costs
Covered:
๐ซ Economy class flights
๐ Trains and buses
๐ Public transportation related to travel
Participants should always choose the most economical travel options possible.
Not covered:
๐ Taxi, Uber or private transport
๐ฅ Medical expenses
๐ Costs caused by delays or missed flights
๐๏ธ Extra holiday travel not approved by the organisers
According to Erasmus+ rules, participants should travel directly to and from the venue. Additional stays should not exceed 2 extra travel days unless approved in advance.
Required Travel Documents
Participants must keep and submit:
๐ซ Boarding passes
๐๏ธ Tickets
๐งพ Invoices and receipts
๐ณ Payment confirmations
๐ธ Screenshots alone are not accepted.
How to Get to Freudenstadt
The nearest airports to Freudenstadt are:
๐ฌ Stuttgart Airport (STR): 2โ2.5 hours to Freudenstadt by train
๐บ๏ธ Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (FKB): 1.5โ2 hours by bus and train
๐ฉ๏ธ Frankfurt Airport (FRA): 3โ4 hours by train
From Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, direct train connections to Freudenstadt are available. From Frankfurt, travel via Stuttgart or Karlsruhe and continue by train to Freudenstadt.
๐ก Travel tip: the organisers strongly recommend flights that arrive in the morning or early afternoon. Late evening arrivals may make it more difficult to reach Freudenstadt due to limited trains. Detailed travel instructions and recommended routes will be shared before the project.
What to Bring
๐ Comfortable clothes for workshops and outdoor activities, suitable for the weather conditions
๐ฉน Personal medication
๐ฅค Reusable water bottle or mug
๐ Power bank and chargers
๐ชช Passport or ID card
๐ Travel documents and boarding passes
Health Insurance
It is mandatory to have valid health insurance during your stay in Germany. Participants are responsible for arranging their own insurance before travelling.
Sustainability
The organisers encourage participants to:
๐ Avoid unnecessary paper use
โป๏ธ Reduce plastic waste
๐ฑ Use reusable bottles and mugs
How to Apply
Read the infopack first, then fill in the online application form. The host organisation selects the participants. If you have any questions about your participation, travel or preparation, the organisers invite you to contact them by e-mail at any time. Find more youth exchanges like this in our Erasmus+ listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to What Moves Us When We Unplug?
Young people who live in Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Estonia or Italy. No previous Erasmus+ experience is needed, and young people with fewer opportunities are especially encouraged to apply.
When and where does the exchange take place?
From 29 November to 7 December 2026 in Freudenstadt, Germany, in the Black Forest region. Participants stay at the DJH Youth Hostel Freudenstadt.
How many participants take part?
The project brings together 40 young people from Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Estonia and Italy.
What does the project cover?
Accommodation, meals, local transportation related to the programme and activity costs are fully covered by the Erasmus+ project. Travel costs are reimbursed according to Erasmus+ distance bands and project rules.
How much travel money can I get back?
Up to โฌ309 from Croatia, Serbia and Italy, and up to โฌ395 from Estonia. The amount for local participants from Germany is โฌ0. Reimbursement is paid by bank transfer after the project.
Can I buy my ticket right away?
No. Send your travel plan to the organisers and wait for approval before buying any ticket. Tickets bought without approval may not be reimbursed.
Which travel costs are not covered?
Taxi, Uber or private transport, medical expenses, costs caused by delays or missed flights, and extra holiday travel not approved by the organisers are not covered.
Can I stay a few extra days?
Additional stays should not exceed 2 extra travel days unless approved in advance. Participants should travel directly to and from the venue.
Do I need health insurance?
Yes. Valid health insurance during your stay in Germany is mandatory, and you must arrange it yourself before travelling.
What kind of activities are planned?
Creative workshops, storytelling, theatre, outdoor activities, intercultural evenings, peer learning and reflection sessions, all built around digital habits, well-being and offline connection.
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
๐ Type: Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
๐ Location: DJH Youth Hostel Freudenstadt, Freudenstadt, Germany
๐๏ธ Activity Dates: 29 November - 7 December 2026
๐ Countries: Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Estonia, Italy
Deadline
โณ As soon as possible!
Links
๐ Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkDW1uLX-Eec8iTTKUe8KovTeutT3eomahJYoBVlCk_6yv5w/viewform
๐ Infopack: https://canva.link/ucnlrn45sbcffgv
๐ง Contact (Milica Zivanovic): aktivisten.eu@gmail.com
โ๏ธ Contact (Darja Kashleva): mtuartinspire@gmail.com
