Youth Workers for Social Progress: A Unique Erasmus+ Experience Through the Eyes of Participants

During the 3rd week of January, we hosted our first group of the year at INPRO.

With a total number of 18 participants, joining us from Ukraine, Poland and Hungary. Our Networking Seminar entitled ‘’ Empowering Youth Networks for Social Progress’’ took place in Rzeszow, Poland from 15th to 19th January and brought together these youth workers to explore the impact and importance of NGOs in our societies 

Overall, our participants expressed high satisfaction with the week they spent here at INPRO, highlighting the knowledge and skills they gained. They particularly appreciated the group activities that focused on effective communication, teamwork, and leadership within NGOs. 

For this blog post, we gathered comprehensive feedback from participants to provide a holistic perspective on their experience.

Angelina, a participant from Ukraine, shared her expectations before the project, stating: “I anticipated a stimulating project that would enhance my teamwork and leadership skills while fostering meaningful connections with new people.”

Megan, a participant from Poland, expressed her initial uncertainty about the project, admitting, “I wasn’t sure what to expect! I questioned whether I could contribute meaningfully to a networking seminar, especially since I don’t necessarily identify as a youth worker. However, I discovered that everyone had valuable perspectives to share, and I’m glad I joined.”

Malokhat, a participant from Hungary, revealed her apprehensions due to her limited knowledge of Poland and the project’s unfamiliarity. She anticipated opportunities to collaborate in teams, assume leadership roles, and devise strategies. Fortunately, her expectations aligned with the actual project activities, as she recounted, “I felt uncertain, but my expectations were met during the project activities.”

We then asked our participants about the knowledge they acquired during our project, and Megan informed us that she gained insight into using social media strategically for NGOs and other community-focused projects. On the other hand, Angelina said to has improved her knowledge of team building and the main points of NGO functioning. Through this project, Malokhat was able to figure out the challenges NGOs encounter from establishing a trust-relation with the public to the importance of social media in building the brand image of Organizations.

Regarding their Erasmus+ experience, several participants expressed their unwavering recommendation of Erasmus+ projects to their friends. Angelina eloquently stated, “This is an opportunity not only to explore new cities and forge friendships but also to cultivate valuable skills, expand knowledge horizons, and gather inspiration to fuel your endeavours and embark on new projects.”

Despite their diverse backgrounds and nationalities, the group seamlessly bonded and forged enduring connections, highlighting the transformative power of shared passions and mutual understanding that transcended cultural boundaries. Tetiana, a participant from Ukraine, shared, “I made friends with everyone, both Ukrainian and foreign participants alike. We all formed a cohesive and welcoming family-like atmosphere.”

Lastly, we inquired with our participants about their interest in revisiting INPRO for another project. Tetiana enthusiastically replied, “I believe that there is a possibility for such an opportunity. In fact, my friend from my previous Erasmus+ project, Ayyan Anwar, highly recommended your organization’s projects and volunteers. Thank you for offering me the chance to participate in this project!”

Angelina echoed Tetiana’s sentiments, stating, “I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the INPRO team, especially their insightful case studies and inspiring stories. The training facilities and workshop organization in the Urban Lab were also a pleasant surprise. If the opportunity arises, I would be delighted to return.”

The Erasmus+ project, “Empowering Youth Networks for Social Progress,” was an exceptional success. Participants acquired valuable skills, forged lasting connections, and embarked on an unforgettable journey.

This project was generously funded by Erasmus+. To stay updated on INPRO’s programs, follow our social media channels or visit our website regularly: https://www.goinpro.org/.