Fenomen Foundation is running "Dance Your Mind 2.0", an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Murzasichle, Poland, for people aged 22 to 30 from Poland, Germany, Italy, France and Czech Republic, with applications closing on 26 September 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we read the infopack because this project treats dance not as a performance skill but as a tool for regulating stress and building confidence, and it says so without hedging.
No dance background is required. The project is built for people who have never danced seriously in their life, as much as for people who have.
What the Project Is Addressing
The "Dance Your Mind 2.0" project addresses the mental health and well-being challenges faced by young people from Poland, Italy, Germany, France and Czechia. By combining dance, movement and mindfulness, the project creates a space where participants can strengthen their connection with their bodies, express themselves freely and explore movement as a tool for personal and social development.
π Throughout the exchange, participants will experience a variety of dance styles and movement practices, with Hustle as one of the key elements of the programme. Partner work, improvisation and body-expression activities will support self-confidence, creativity, trust and non-verbal communication.
π§ Yoga, breathing exercises, mindfulness and reflection will complement the dance sessions, providing practical tools for emotional awareness, self-regulation and stress management.
π The project is designed to be genuinely inclusive, prioritising young people with fewer opportunities and creating a supportive environment where everyone can participate regardless of previous dance experience.
Six Objectives
π§ Develop body awareness: help participants become more aware of their bodies, movement and physical sensations through dance and movement practices.
πͺ Strengthen self-confidence and self-expression: create a safe space where participants can express themselves freely, explore their individuality and build greater confidence through movement and dance.
π¬οΈ Support emotional well-being: introduce mindfulness and self-regulation practices that help participants recognise emotions and develop healthier ways of taking care of their well-being.
π€ Develop communication and connection: use partner and group dance, including Hustle, to develop trust, non-verbal communication and the ability to connect with others through movement.
π Explore diversity through dance: expose participants to different dance styles, encouraging creativity, openness and appreciation of different forms of cultural expression.
βΏ Make dance education inclusive and accessible: bring young people from different backgrounds together through dance, cultural exchange and shared experiences, creating opportunities for intercultural learning.
The Four Programme Blocks
Hustle Dance
πΊ Hustle will be one of the main dance styles explored throughout the project. Originating in New York in the early 1970s, Hustle is a dynamic American partner dance influenced by diverse cultural and musical traditions, best known for its connection with the disco era and developed through multicultural dance communities.
Through learning Hustle, participants will explore connection, trust, communication and cooperation between partners. The dance is based on lead-and-follow, teamwork and improvisation, creating opportunities to develop non-verbal communication, confidence and self-expression in an engaging and playful way.
Body Expression and Movement
π Movement is a powerful language. Participants will have the opportunity to experience different dance styles from commercial and urban, through contemporary to Latin-inspired styles and more. Each style will bring a new perspective and allow participants to explore rhythm, musicality, attitude and personal expression.
Through dance, participants will develop a deeper connection with their bodies, build self-confidence and discover new ways of communicating without words.
Mindfulness and Self-Awareness
π§ββοΈ Participants will take part in yoga sessions, breathing exercises and mindfulness practices that encourage them to slow down, connect with their bodies and become more aware of their thoughts and emotions. These activities will provide practical tools for managing stress, regulating emotions and maintaining inner balance, both during the project and in everyday life.
Intercultural Learning
π This block includes a variety of activities that foster integration and mutual understanding through the exchange of experiences and traditions. One of the key elements will be cultural evenings, providing opportunities to discover the customs, music, and cuisine of different countries.
Who Can Take Part
π 22 to 30 years old.
π No educational or professional requirements. Anyone within the age range can apply.
π Passionate about well-being and personal growth.
π£οΈ Able to communicate confidently in English, minimum B1 level.
π Interested in exploring different dance styles and using dance as a tool for self-expression.
π₯ Motivated to learn, share experiences, and actively contribute.
What Active Participation Means Here
By taking part in this project, participants confirm they will be active in all phases:
β Implementation: present and active in all activities, unless ill. Unauthorized absence from activities and workshops will not be tolerated.
π’ Dissemination: after the project, participants are obligated to run follow-up activities sharing the project's results.
π Preparation: preparation for the project is described as pivotal, involving meticulous planning and organisation ahead of the exchange.
Where You'd Be
ποΈ Murzasichle is a small tourist town at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland, about 15 kilometres south of Zakopane, known for its views of the Tatras, traditional highlander culture, and numerous hiking and skiing trails.
π₯Ύ One highlight of the project is a planned excursion to Morskie Oko, one of Poland's most beautiful natural sites.
β¨οΈ Local thermal baths are also within reach for free time, with entry around 15 euros. Bring a swimsuit.
Accommodation and Food
ποΈ Participants will be accommodated in 2 to 4 person rooms with bathrooms, mixed by nationality to foster cultural exchange. Towels are provided, but hair dryers are not, so bring your own if needed.
π The lodging includes common areas for socialising, plus a swimming pool and a ping pong table.
π½οΈ Meals are provided three times a day at the accommodation. Special dietary requirements should be shared in advance through the appropriate form.
π Address: Murzasichle, ul. SΔ delska 55b.
Getting There and Travel Reimbursement
βοΈ The nearest airport is Krakow Balice Airport. You can also fly into another Polish airport and reach the venue by train or bus. Green travel, ideally by car with your national group, or by Flixbus or train, is strongly recommended.
π From KrakΓ³w, connections to Zakopane run by bus or train, with schedules at www.e-podroznik.pl. The last bus from KrakΓ³w to Zakopane typically departs around 9:00 p.m., so plan your arrival in KrakΓ³w with enough time to continue.
ποΈ Participants may arrive up to 2 days before or stay up to 2 days after the official dates, with any extra accommodation, food or local transport costs covered by the participant.
β Before purchasing any tickets, consult the organisers and wait for email approval. Tickets that were not approved are not eligible for reimbursement.
πΆ Reimbursement ceilings: Poland β¬56, Czechia β¬211, France β¬309, Italy β¬309, Germany β¬309.
π All outbound and return tickets should be purchased before the last day of the project, because reimbursement is processed on the last day, in cash, in euros. Tickets bought after the project concludes are not considered for reimbursement.
π Taxi expenses are not eligible for reimbursement. Lost tickets cannot be reimbursed, so digital copies are recommended. Each participant may have one piece of luggage reimbursed alongside their ticket, either one carry-on or one checked bag; extra luggage fees, priority boarding and seat selection are not covered.
Meet the Team
π€ Natalia Brodzik, CEO of Fenomen Foundation.
π€ Marcel StΔpniak-GΓ³ra, Facilitator.
π€ Adrianna Baranowska, Facilitator and Project Manager.
π€ Artur Kuriata, Dance Instructor.
About Fenomen Foundation
ποΈ Fenomen Foundation, the host organisation, is a young organisation established in 2022. Its mission is to create equal opportunities for development, increasing personal competences, promoting active citizenship and raising awareness about values such as social inclusion and cultural diversity, especially among young people with fewer opportunities.
π Through non-formal education, the foundation puts emphasis on empowering young people to better understand the importance of personal development, develop proactive attitudes, and raise awareness of their capabilities.
What to Bring
π European insurance card, comfortable clothes and shoes, swimsuit, laptop, traditional food, drinks and souvenirs for intercultural evenings, medicine in case you get sick (the organisers cannot provide any), and a clear mind and positive attitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age range?
22 to 30 years old.
Do I need dance experience?
No. The project is open to anyone within the age range, regardless of previous dance experience.
What level of English do I need?
A minimum of B1, enough to communicate confidently.
Is the project free?
Yes. Travel, accommodation and food costs are covered, up to the reimbursement ceiling for your country.
How and when is travel reimbursed?
In cash, in euros, on the last day of the project, provided your tickets were pre-approved by the organisers and purchased before the project's last day.
Where does the exchange take place?
Murzasichle, a mountain town near Zakopane in southern Poland, at the foot of the Tatra Mountains.
What happens after the exchange?
Participants are expected to run follow-up dissemination activities sharing the project's results in their home communities.
Project Snapshot
π Type: Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
π Location: Murzasichle, Poland
ποΈ Activity Dates: 16β25 October 2026 (16th and 25th are travel days)
π Countries: Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland
π Age: 22β30
Deadline
β³ 26 September 2026
Applications close on 26 September 2026, with the exchange itself running from 16 to 25 October, so there is very little time left to apply. Find more Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges on Youth Works Hub.
Link
π Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZVgbsojoy-eKBVfMl__epfrPCAQyH2oFOjR7YrYo0lyCstQ/viewform
π Infopack: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yw4blCGvS1GhON3pRp4B-Xd6ChkhTTSC/view
π§ Questions: abaranowska.erasmus@gmail.com
