Dissemination of NextGen: EmployAbility (participants, Turkey)

"Just came back from an incredible Erasmus+ Youth Exchange experience in Vatra Dornei, Romania, where I participated in the "NextGen: EmployAbility" project! 

For 10 days, I joined 55 participants from 7 European countries to explore employability, inclusion, and personal growth through interactive, non-formal education.

One of the highlights? A dynamic hackathon, where we worked in international teams to develop creative solutions for youth employability challenges. It pushed us to think critically, collaborate under pressure, and innovate together. 💡🤝

Throughout the project, we built essential soft skills through workshops, discussions, cultural nights, and team-building activities. I’m especially proud to have represented Türkiye, sharing our culture and traditions during the intercultural evening 

Huge thanks to Initiative Sociale and all partner organizations for designing such a meaningful and empowering experience. Projects like this remind me how powerful youth collaboration and cultural exchange can be.

Here’s to a more inclusive and opportunity-filled future for young people across Europe! 🌍💬

#ErasmusPlus #YouthExchange #NextGenEmployAbility #Hackathon #EmployabilitySkills #SoftSkills #CulturalExchange #NonFormalEducation #VatraDornei #Romania #InitiativeSociale #EuropeanYouth #GegeDer" - Ali

"Greetings from an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Vatra Dornei, Romania! 🇷🇴

I’ve just returned from an incredible youth exchange in Romania, taking part in the “NextGen: EmployAbility” project hosted by Initiative Sociale. From June 2 to 12, I joined 55 participants from 7 European countries including Bulgaria, Turkey, Poland, Italy, Greece, Czechia and Romania to explore employability, inclusion and personal growth through interactive, non-formal education.

Throughout the project, we gained valuable insights into labor markets and youth employability across different countries. Evenings were dedicated to cultural exchange, and I was proud to represent Turkey by sharing our rich traditions during the intercultural night.

One of the highlights? A dynamic hackathon, where international teams collaborated to develop innovative solutions addressing youth employability challenges. This experience enhanced our critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills under pressure. 💡🤝

Huge thanks to Initiative Sociale and our sending organization GEGEDER for creating such a meaningful and empowering experience. This project truly showed the power of youth collaboration and cultural exchange. 

I also sincerely thank the European Commission for making this journey possible and giving us the chance to embrace Europe’s core values.

Here’s to a more inclusive and opportunity-filled future for young people across Europe! 🌍💬" - Berfin

"I'm honored to have represented Türkiye 🇹🇷 in the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project “NextGen: EmployAbility” — held in Romania! 🇷🇴🌟

52 young changemakers from 7 countries came together in Vatra Dornei to address one of the most urgent challenges of our time: youth (un)employment and inclusive access to the labor market.

Over 10 days, we didn’t just talk about employability — we co-created it. We explored critical issues such as: 🧠

– Youth unemployment in Europe

– Gender inequality in hiring

– Barriers to inclusion and accessibility

We tackled these not through lectures, but through creativity, innovation, and intercultural dialogue — redefining employability in a fast-changing world. 🗣️💬

The best part? A dynamic hackathon where international teams co-developed innovative solutions to employability challenges — enhancing our critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure. ⚙️🤝

It reminded me that employment is more than just getting a job — it’s about creating a space for every young person, regardless of gender, background, or geography.

Huge thanks to Initiative Sociale and our sending organization GEGEDER for turning this project into a movement. 🤝💖 and special thanks to the European Commission and Türkiye Ulusal Ajansı for this opportunity!🇪🇺

Let’s keep shaping a Europe that listens, includes, and empowers! 🌍✨

#NextGenEmployAbility #YouthEmpowerment #Inclusion #Türkiye #ErasmusPlus #FutureOfWork" - Ceren

"Greetings from an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Vatra Dornei, Romania! 🇷🇴

I had the opportunity to participate in the “NextGen: EmployAbility” project, hosted by Initiative Sociale, which brought together 55 participants from seven countries: Bulgaria, Turkey, Poland, Italy, Greece, Czechia, and Romania.

Throughout the program, we explored topics such as youth employability, inclusion, and personal growth using non-formal learning methods. One of the most impactful experiences was the international hackathon, where teamwork and collaboration were central to developing innovative solutions for employment challenges. It was truly inspiring and deepened our understanding of the issues addressed in the Erasmus+ project.

Huge thanks to everyone who made this amazing youth exchange possible, especially our facilitators, Alexandra Ionescu and Adrian Oprică. It was a pleasure for us to work with you!" - Dila

"Greetings from an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange held in Romania 🇷🇴

Between June 2–12, we took part in a project that brought together 54 participants from 7 different countries and allowed us to rediscover the senses we often overlook in our daily lives. Through non-formal learning methods, we embraced our differences and deepened our awareness through hands-on experiences rather than theoretical knowledge.

In the nature-rich region of Vatra Dornei, Romania, we explored employability across participant countries, discovering labor markets and youth employment dynamics from various perspectives. One of the key highlights was a hackathon, where we worked in teams to develop and present innovative outcomes.

While the daytime activities focused on skill-building and employment awareness, our evenings were filled with cultural exchange — from local dishes and snacks to traditions, dances, and the music that connects us all. Now, as this incredible journey concludes, we leave with new friendships, valuable insights, and the excitement of what lies ahead.

Thanks to Initiative Sociale and Girişim Ekosistemi Geliştirme Derneği GEGEDER for giving us the opportunity to take part in this unforgettable experience and for organizing such a meaningful and impactful project.

📅 Project Dates: 02–12.06.2025

📍 Venue: Vatra Dornei, Romania 

🔍 Title: NextGen: EmployAbility

🌟 Host NGO: Initiative Sociale

🌍 Participating Countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Türkiye, Greece, Italy, Czech Republic" - Ipek

"I have attended a youth exchange organised by Initiative Sociale in Romania co-funded by the EU Erasmus+ programme, on 2-12 June. 

The project's main topic was about youth employment. We participated in workshops which gave an insight on how different countries combat youth unemployment, how to develop ourselves to increase job opportunities, how video CVs are used, what to expect during interviews and much more. 

Alongside the main topic we also learnt about different cultures and customs, learnt from each others' knowledge and gained valuable experience." - Enes

"🌍✨ I’m incredibly grateful to have taken part in the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project "NextGen: EmployAbility", held in Vatra Dornei, Romania from June 2nd to 12th, 2025!

Together with 55 participants from 7 different European countries, we gathered to explore employability, personal development, and inclusion in today’s job market. It was a powerful experience that showed how collaboration and cultural exchange can spark growth and new perspectives.

Through interactive workshops, group discussions, cultural evenings, and team-building activities, we developed essential skills such as communication, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability – all of which are key for succeeding in today’s dynamic work environment.

I’m proud to have represented Türkiye with an amazing team, sharing not only ideas and insights but also the richness of our culture and traditional flavors during the intercultural evening. 🇹🇷❤️

Huge thanks to Initiative Sociale and all partner organizations for making this project a meaningful, impactful, and unforgettable experience!

Let’s continue to build a more inclusive, innovative, and empowered Europe — together. 🇪🇺" - İlayda

"Greetings from an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Romania 

We are at the end of a week where this project, where we experienced the harmony of 55 people from 7 different countries, emphasized all our senses that we do not focus on much in our daily lives. By using informal learning methods, we both became one with our differences and developed this awareness through experiences without theoretical knowledge.

In the Vatra Dornei region of Romania, in an environment surrounded by nature, we focused on the employability within participant countries. We discovered labor markets in different countries and employability among youth. During the project we also had an hackhaton where we worked within teams and proposed our outcomes. While focusing on the main purpose of the activities during the day, we shared our cultures with each other in the evenings. We learned about each other with local dishes and snacks, various cultural backgrounds and traditions, and the music that connects us. And now we are at the end of another process where beautiful friendships and individual awareness are strengthened, impatient and excited to share this and for new ones.

📅 Project Dates: 02 - 12.06.2025

📍 Venue: Vatra Dornei, Romania

🔍 Title: NextGen: EmployAbility

📌 Hashtags: #ErasmusPlus #youthexchange #Employability

🌟 Host NGO: Initiative Sociale

🌍 Participating Countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Türkiye, Greece, Italy, Czech Republic" - Ecenur

"Dissemination Report – NextGen: EmployAbility Youth Exchange

Date: 2–12 June 2025

Location: Vatra Dornei, Romania

I had the opportunity to take part in the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project called “NextGen: EmployAbility,” held in Vatra Dornei, Romania. During the project, we engaged in various workshops, team activities, and cultural evenings with participants from 7 different countries: Romania, Türkiye, Poland, Italy, Greece, Czech Republic, and Bulgaria. In total, the project brought together 45 young participants and 7 group leaders.

Practical activities such as creating a video CV, interview roleplays, and the hackathon sessions helped me express myself better and increased my awareness of the job market. At the same time, being in contact with different cultures contributed greatly to the development of my social skills.

I aim to share the knowledge and experiences I gained throughout the project with my community and peers. I would like to thank the host organization Initiative Sociale and my sending organization in Türkiye for making this experience possible." - Bünyamin

Dissemination of NextGen: EmployAbility (GEGEDER, Turkey)

Between June 2–12, I had the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project NextGen: Employability, held in Vatra Dornei, Romania. Immediately afterward, I took part in another Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project held between June 13–21 in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, where I had the chance to present and promote the NextGen: Employability project. 

I presented to an international group of young Erasmus+ participants (48 people) aged 16–28 from Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Greece. Sharing the outcomes and experiences of the previous project with this diverse audience not only encouraged an exchange of ideas but also significantly contributed to the visibility and dissemination of the NextGen project. I was able to explain its objectives, activities, and process, while also gaining experience in public speaking and communication. 

I highlighted what happened during the project as national presentations on youth policies and employability practices from each participating country provided a meaningful opportunity to learn about and compare different social and economic contexts. These sessions played a key role in fostering mutual understanding and connecting participants. Likewise, the cultural nights, where each country showcased its traditions, cuisine, music, and values, were a highlight of the program. These activities greatly enriched the experience by promoting cultural exchange and strengthening bonds among the group while enhancing our appreciation of diversity. 

I mentioned that we took part in a study visit on the historic Mocănița railway, where we had the chance to interact with local workers and observe rural life in the region. This visit offered valuable insights into local culture and helped us increase our awareness of different ways of living, while enhancing social engagement within the group. 

One of the most impactful parts of the Romania project was the hackathon, which proved to be a highly productive and inspiring activity. Working in teams to create and develop our own project ideas strengthened our self-confidence and problem-solving abilities. It also encouraged creativity and supported the development of our entrepreneurial spirit. 

Overall, the experience contributed significantly to both my personal and social development. It inspired me to take more active roles in future Erasmus+ projects and strengthened my motivation to engage further in the field of youth work.