Youth Acting for Inclusion – S.I.S.E.R.A. Greece

2024-3-ES02-KA152-YOU-E72BEF86

YAI: Youth Acting for Inclusion

Dates: 3-10 July 2025 (including travel days)
Location: Cartagena, Spain

The Project

🌍 Youth Acting For Inclusion (YAI) is a 6-day youth exchange that will take place in Cartagena between July 04th and 09th, 2025, not including travel days.

💭 All activities planned for this exchange are inspired by approaches of non-formal education, whose methods are aimed at stimulating the motivation of the participants, their voluntary participation, critical thinking and personal development.

Some workshops will also be implemented, in which the facilitator will provide participants with some theoretical backgrounds about the topics that will be discussed, mostly to prepare them to carry out the non-formal education activities.

🗣️ A laboratory to produce concrete results (a social media campaign) is also included in the programme.

Objectives

🤝 The main objective of this project is to foster the integration of young migrants and refugees in Europe, with a focus on the national societies of the Countries in which the organizations involved in this project operate.

👬 Integration is a two-way process because it involves active engagement, effort, and understanding from both the receiving society and the newcomers. The project intends to bring together young Europeans and young migrants and refugees, with a two- fold aim: on the one hand, to enhance the intercultural awareness of all participants in the YE, and on the other hand, to contribute to the integration of the young migrants/refugees, not only in the Spanish society, but also in the wider and more culturally varied European society.

☮️ Moreover, a third objective is to devise, together with the participants, concrete ways and tools to act against discrimination of migrants and refugees in their own respective countries, with a focus on digital tools such as social media campaigns.

Participants' Experience

Throughout the project, participants took part in various workshops and activities that enriched their experience and encouraged understanding, collaboration, and proactive measures against discrimination. Here’s a look at their journey:

Erasmus+ YAI: Youth Acting for Inclusion

Youth Exchange, 3–10 July 2024, Cartagena (Canteras), Spain

Introduction – Trip Overview

The Erasmus+ project YAI: Youth Acting for Inclusion took place from the 3rd to the 10th of July in the region of Cartagena, Spain. The project focused on human rights, migration, and inclusion, and gathered participants from Italy, Spain, Greece, Romania, Croatia, and a refugee group including individuals from Nicaragua, Africa, and Morocco.

Although our team from Greece unfortunately arrived late due to flight delays and missed the first day of activities, we quickly integrated into the group and took part in the following days with enthusiasm and openness.

We were hosted in the village of Canteras, just outside Cartagena—a small, quiet town surrounded by nature and hills, offering a peaceful atmosphere that helped the group connect and reflect.

Activities and Workshops

On the second day, we participated in team-building activities that helped us bond with other participants and feel more comfortable in the multicultural environment. In the afternoon, we joined thematic workshops on human rights, where we explored the fundamental rights we all share, discussed real-life examples, and began reflecting on our roles as young active citizens. In the evening, the intercultural night featured presentations from Spain, Italy, and the refugee group, including music, food, and cultural elements.

The third day focused on the powerful theme of migration. It was an emotional day, as some participants shared deeply personal stories about their journeys, experiences, and challenges. These stories created a space of empathy and solidarity within the group. That night, we hosted our Greek intercultural night, alongside Romania and Croatia. We proudly shared Greek treats such as tzatziki, loukoumia, halvas, and more, and helped others discover our rich culture through games and music.

On day four, the main topic was hate speech. We took part in interactive activities and group discussions on how to identify, respond to, and prevent hate speech in both online and real-life contexts. In the afternoon, we went on a group cultural visit to the city center of Cartagena, where we explored the city’s Roman heritage, walked along the marina, and learned about its multicultural past.

On day five, the workshops focused on acting against discrimination. Through role-playing, debates, and scenario-based activities, we explored strategies to promote inclusion and respect in our communities. It was one of the most impactful days, as it allowed us to reflect on our personal actions and take a stand against everyday discrimination.

The final day of the exchange was dedicated to evaluation and reflection. We shared our experiences, gave feedback, and expressed gratitude for the knowledge and friendships we gained during the week. It was also a chance to talk about future projects and ways to stay active within the Erasmus+ community.

Food Experience

The meals served during the program were truly amazing—mostly based on traditional Spanish cuisine. From paella to tapas-style lunches, we were constantly surprised by the variety and taste. The meals were also a daily opportunity to sit together, talk, and get to know each other better.

Participants and Partners

The project included young people aged 18 to 30 from various countries, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences to the exchange. The Greek team, coordinated by S.I.S.E.R.A. Greece, was actively involved in all aspects of the project.