Summary

Colours of Us is a youth exchange all about discovering and celebrating what makes us unique — and how we can build more inclusive and welcoming communities together. Throughout this program young individuals will explore key issues around social inclusion and diversity creativity, dialogue, and collaboration.

Participants will engage in a range of interactive activities using non-formal education, such as storytelling workshops, role-playing games, visual arts and personal reflection exercises. Together, they’ll learn how to recognize exclusion and discrimination, challenge harmful stereotypes, and promote equality and empathy in their everyday lives. Through discussions, creative sessions, and team challenges, participants will reflect on how diverse identities are represented (or not) in their own communities and brainstorm ways to make youth spaces more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Whether you’re passionate about social justice, curious to meet people from different walks of life, or simply eager to grow personally and socially, Colours of Us invites you to step into a space where every voice matters — and where we can all learn to live together in a more respectful and inclusive way.

What to Expect

Networking

You will meet a lot of participants from different countries.

Non-formal Education

All our methods are non-formal: That means you will learn by playing and trying.

No boring lectures.

Intercultural Dialogue

You will learn about different cultures from partner countries. And taste their food!

Participant Profile

  • Citizens or legal residents of Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia, Romania, Portugal and Lithuania.

  • Target age group: 16–22 years.

  • Required to stay for the full length of the activity and participate in all scheduled sessions.

  • Motivated to dive into the world of social inclusion and diversity.

  • Open-minded and willing to help.

  • Willing to disseminate the activity and share their experience to other groups of young people.

  • Currently not receiving any funds from the European Union (e.g.: participating in an Erasmus exchange program within University).

Location and Venue

The youth exchange will take place in the peaceful and green surroundings of Vilijos Čepulienės sodyba, located in Labanoras — a beautiful spot known for its forests, fresh air, and nearby lakes. Participants will stay in shared rooms of 3 to 5 people, grouped to encourage intercultural exchange and arranged by gender.

All participants will receive three meals a day — breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you have any dietary needs or preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies, etc.), make sure to let us know in the application form so we can take care of it in advance.

Activity Schedule

  • Day 1-2: Welcome and team building

    We will kick off the program with dynamic team-building activities designed to help everyone connect and feel comfortable in the group. Through creative games and interactive workshops related to inclusion and diversity, participants will get to know each other in a fun and engaging way.

  • Day 3-6: Exploring inclusion through non-formal methods

    During these days, we’ll take a deep dive into the themes of diversity and social inclusion through hands-on, interactive activities. Participants will engage in creative workshops, storytelling circles, and thought-provoking simulations that shed light on the challenges faced by underrepresented communities.

    We’ll explore real-life situations through role play, theatre, visual arts, and group discussions — all designed to spark empathy, challenge stereotypes, and build a deeper understanding of one another. Each activity encourages participants to reflect on their own perspectives while also learning how to create more inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environments.

  • Day 7: Reflection and celebration

    On the final day, we will reflect on our journey, share the insights we have gained, and think about how we can apply what we have learned in our own communities. We will also plan our future dissemination activities for spreading the message of inclusion and diversity.

    To mark the completion of this incredible experience, each participant will receive a Youthpass certificate, recognizing their participation and the skills they have developed. We’ll end the day with a closing ceremony to celebrate the friendships, achievements, and memories made throughout the exchange

Travel

  • All flight and bus tickets for this activity will be purchased and organized by our organization.
  • For flights, the fare includes only the most basic option, which permits one small backpack to be carried under the seat. Please note that there are no guarantees that participants from Portugal will travel from the nearest airport.
  • The official travel dates for this activity are June 18th and June 26th. However participants from certain, further locations, will need to begin their journey a day earlier and return a day later due to travel logistics.
  • Each country will have up to two main designated meeting points, where participants will gather to begin their journey. Participants can arrange their own travel to these meeting points. If anyone faces difficulties to reach the meeting points on their own means, please don’t hesitate to reach out, and we will work together to find a solution.
  • Please note that tickets for local transportation within a city (e.g., metro or shuttle bus tickets to the airport or train station) will need to be arranged by participants.
  • Once all participants are selected and confirm their participation, the project coordinators will work with the national group leaders to develop a final travel itinerary for each group. These itineraries will be communicated via Discord, and the travel tickets will be shared via Email and/or Discord.
  • All participants will travel to the accommodation together with a private bus from Vilnius.

  • Portuguese group: will travel by plane to Vilnius, with one connecting flight along the way. In Vilnius, participants will board a private bus that will take them straight to the venue.

  • Czech group: will travel to Vilnius by Flixbus. Upon arrival in Vilnius, a dedicated bus will transport them to the accommodation.

  • Romanian group: their adventure starts with a trip to Budapest, where they’ll join the Hungarian group and head to Vilnius together by FlixBus. From the capital they will continue their journey to the accommodation by a private bus.

  • Hungarian group: will reach Vilnius using Flixbus. From Vilnius, the group will travel to the venue by a private bus.

  • Slovak group: will use Flixbus to reach Vilnius. In Vilnius a private bus will take them to the venue. 

  • Lithuanian group: will travel by a private bus from Vilnius to the accommodation. Participants from the surrounding areas will have to travel to Vilnius on their own.

Useful information

  • Participation costs: There are no participation costs. Travel, accommodation, and food are co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union. However, participants who are selected will need to pay a 50€ deposit to confirm their participation. This is to avoid last-minute cancelations and to cover possible damages caused by the participants on the accommodation. The money is sent back after the activity.

  • Health & Insurance: We provide insurance for our participants. However we still ask all participants to bring their European Health Insurance Cards, which can be used if they need hospital care.

  • What to bring: Identification card or passport, towel, Euro as pocket money to buy personal items, laptop (it is not essential, but might be useful), national food or a typical vest for the gastro and cultural nights, speaker, board games, comfortable and enough clothes for the days of the activity and for outdoor activities as well.

  • Terms & Conditions: Refer to www.e29.eu/terms-and-conditions for detailed terms and conditions.

  • Q&A: Have doubts? Feel free to reach us through our social media channels.

  • Note: We made some changes to our application portal. Even if you already created an account, you might need to click “Sign up now”, validate your email, and create a password. All your previous data will be synchronized through your email address.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Tempus Közalapítvány. Neither the European Union nor the funding authority can be held responsible for them.

How to Take Part?

Sign in to your account or if you don’t have one sign up now and apply.

Deadline to apply: 16.05.2025