Introduction: Erasmus+ is a program that supports youth, sports, training, and education in Europe and is financially sustained by the European Union. Funding is available for projects in multiple areas, and they can be aimed at all ages. Institutions, groups and bodies are the main organizers. Partner organizations from different countries can collaborate to build projects for different categories, such as youth training, staff training, etc. Once a project is approved, the target group can apply for opportunities, and once selected, they can participate in the training. Many of the projects are directed to the youth (especially those 18-24 years old) and last for about a week. Accommodation, food and transportation are provided or reimbursed for the participants, and two to three facilitators lead activities. This abstract aims to share the experience of participating in three Erasmus+ opportunities in 2021 and 2022 and suggest possibilities for the future in Brazil.
Development: Living in the European Union allowed me to apply and participate in three Erasmus+ projects. The first happened during an internship that I had the chance to do in a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Vilnius, Lithuania. This NGO works with harm reduction in several countries around Europe and Asia, and one of the projects they were working on was about the education of youth regarding drugs. In partnership with NGOs from other countries, a series of staff training on the project “LEt's Talk about drugs - new MEthods of communication with the youth” took place over three years. The second training, entitled “Peer Youth Work,” happened from November 15 to 21, 2021, in Warsaw, Poland, where I participated. The project’s main goal was to assess the existence and effectiveness of current drug education, assess what information was available for the youth and their perception of it, and examine educational methods and tools used on the topic of drugs towards young people, gathering the best practices. In the end, materials were built to support education about drugs among young people. The project comprised workers from youth organizations from Lithuania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, and Poland.
The second project I had the chance to participate in was a youth exchange entitled “Green Go”. It happened from April 4 to 12, 2022, in Floda, Sweden. Participants from Sweden, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and Spain were selected and participated in the exchange. The main goal was for young people to live more sustainably and in a green way. We also implemented some practices during the project, such as avoiding using paper (focusing on using online and natural resources), reducing water and energy use, eating freshly made food, etc.
The third project I participated in was an Erasmus+ Training Course called “Wake up Your Leadership!”. The training occurred from July 21 to 29, 2022, in Roqueredonde, France. Trainees from France, Sweden, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Lithuania, Denmark, Belgium, The Netherlands, Greece and Estonia were present. The venue where we were accommodated was the Association Regain – La Borie Noble, an ecovillage where a group of people live, practicing spirituality and non-violence. It is a place for the arts, growing and cooking vegetarian and vegan food, building connections with people and nature, and respecting the Pachamama. Music, dance, yoga and meditation are routine activities, and events are also held there. The Erasmus+ project aimed to empower young workers and leaders to effectively lead such projects (and potentially others) throughout Europe, giving them the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed. Since the internet and other types of connection were hardly available, the environment provided the perfect atmosphere to dive into the training and fellow participants.
Results: Erasmus+ projects have several goals, from developing skills and knowledge to integrating people from different cultures and promoting non-violence and understanding. Through my experience, I can say that such environments have helped me engage with people from other cultures, learn with them, work in teams to achieve goals and develop activities, understand other people’s perspectives, learn about different issues and problems around the world, discuss governments’ and communities’ responsibilities, develop specific skills, proactively engage in activities, support other young participants with personal issues, learn about technologies and teaching methods and tools, think creatively, practice foreign languages, etc. I also created a network with participants, facilitators and organizers, which will allow for future collaboration opportunities in youth work and other projects I may engage in worldwide. Being able to visit new countries and places and being exposed to new cultures and people was a key part of these experiences.
Final considerations: These experiences were extremely valuable for me, both personally and professionally. I developed several skills while engaging with new people and cultures in a new country or environment. The specific experience of living in an ecovillage changed my life perspective.
Erasmus+ projects have been happening for years, bringing several results for Europe and the world. I believe there is potential for similar projects to be developed in Brazil. When we talk about education and youth, and if we include the topic of health, special attention could be given to the public health system in the country, SUS. Health professionals under training could have the opportunity to develop specific skills that could improve their future abilities to work at SUS and with the population. Training and projects could focus on the skills and knowledge needed for that work, aligning with public policies and the principles of SUS. Some examples could be humanized care, effective communication, active listening, leadership, teamwork, empathy, work ethic, popular participation, human rights, cultural sensitivity, foreign languages, etc. Some of these topics are not taught or discussed during university training, and young professionals join the workforce unprepared for what awaits them. As for being open to different cultures and environments, Brazil is large enough to allow such exposure for participants.
Financial investments would be necessary for such projects to take place in the country. Government agencies would have to establish specific funding to guarantee the sustainability of the Programme and the continuation of actions. Engaging community organizations and students could be a way of starting discussions on this topic.
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