At the beginning of spring, our headquarters was full of energy thanks to the inspiring youth exchange “Lens Towards the Future.” The program brought together 30 participants from four countries, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine, who spent five days not only discovering the art of photography, but also learning about each other’s cultures. Although the project has come to an end, we are still filled with positive energy and wonderful memories left behind by the participants.
On the first day, after the official welcome and team-building activities, we began our shared journey with a city walk, which helped the newly arrived participants get to know Rzeszów better. The following days brought many exciting experiences. On the second day, our guests explored the history of the city by visiting the interactive Rzeszów Underground (Rzeszowskie Piwnice), which allowed them to travel back in time and discover the medieval past of the region.
The next days of the exchange focused on the theme of photography. Participants learned the basics of this art form — from a brief history of photography and the work of world-renowned photographers to practical techniques that helped them create more thoughtful and artistic compositions. Each day brought new challenges, but also new inspiration for creative work.
The fourth day was a key moment of the exchange. Participants went out into the city with their cameras to capture important social issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals. After completing their photo sessions, it was time to edit the photos and prepare them for printing so they would be ready for the big finale the next day — a photography exhibition at Urban Lab.
Preparing the exhibition was full of excitement. Participants took care of every detail, from framing the photographs to arranging the exhibition space. Once everything was ready, guests were invited to Urban Lab, where participants presented their photographs, answered questions, and shared the ideas and messages they wanted to capture through their images.
The program concluded with a final evaluation session and the awarding of YouthPass certificates. Evenings during the exchange were dedicated to intercultural gatherings, where each national group shared elements of their culture — from traditional music and dances to local delicacies that participants had brought from their home countries.
We would like to warmly thank our partners and team leaders for their support and dedication, which contributed to the success of this project:
University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów
Mustárház IITI
Uzhhorod National University
Youthfully Yours
The project was funded by the Erasmus+ Programme.
