From 20–27 July 2025, young people from Czechia, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Turkey, and Croatia came together in Ochoz u Brna, Czechia for the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange “Building Bridges” (KA152-YOU-A4EBDBD8). The project created space for participants to explore the importance of mental health, communication, and supportive relationships in their personal lives and communities.
What the project was about
“Building Bridges” addressed the challenges that young people face when it comes to stress, emotional struggles, and lack of awareness about mental health resources. Through non-formal education methods — workshops, role plays, simulations, outdoor activities, and group reflections — participants explored:
- How to communicate more openly and empathetically
- What psychological first aid is and how it can be applied in daily life
- The importance of setting and respecting boundaries
- Ways to deal with personal struggles such as stress, relationship problems, or addiction
- How to recognize when help is needed and where to find it
What participants learned
During the exchange, participants developed skills that will stay with them long after the project:
- Practical life skills: active listening, assertive communication, teamwork
- Emotional awareness: recognizing their own needs, managing stress, supporting peers
- Social skills: working in international groups, overcoming language barriers, building friendships across cultures
- Civic engagement: creating resources that can support others in their communities
Everyday reflections and intercultural evenings also strengthened their ability to value diversity, respect different perspectives, and build a sense of European solidarity.
The results
One of the visible outcomes is a youth-created booklet that gathers self-help tips, principles of psychological first aid, and national resources from the participating countries. This resource is now freely available for young people, youth workers, and organizations.
Beyond the booklet, the true impact lies in what participants brought home:
- More confidence to talk about mental health
- New tools for supporting themselves and others
- Stronger motivation to spread awareness in their schools, organizations, and communities
Each participant also received a Youthpass certificate recognizing the competences they gained during the exchange.
Acknowledgements
The project was coordinated by Cesta rozvoje, z.s. (Czechia) in cooperation with partners from Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Turkey, and Croatia. It was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
