🌿 What if the way we live today is quietly disconnecting us from nature, balance, and ourselves?

We live in a fast-paced “throw-away culture” that fuels both environmental damage and rising eco-anxiety. Many sustainable practices from previous generations are disappearing, even though they offer simple, powerful solutions for today’s challenges.

At the same time, many young people—especially those with fewer opportunities—still lack access to outdoor learning, mobility, and hands-on environmental education.

Together with our partners from Bulgaria and North Macedonia, we created “Eco Heroes Across Europe”, an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange for 39 young people from Balkan countries to reconnect with nature and rediscover sustainable living.

Through outdoor activities, sports, circular economy workshops, and intercultural learning, participants will explore how consumption impacts both the planet and well-being. They will practice repairing, reusing, and upcycling, while also improving their physical and mental health through time outdoors and teamwork.

This is not just about awareness—it’s about turning concern into action and becoming an Eco Hero in everyday life.

🌍 Ready to leave the throw-away mindset behind and step into action? Join us and become an Eco Hero!

We are looking for enthusiastic young people from Romania, Bulgaria and North Macedonia to take part in this exciting youth exchange on overcoming eco-anxiety and the “culture of garbage” by learning sustainable habits, exploring green cultural traditions, and improving physical and mental well-being through outdoor activities!

✅ Who can apply?

• Resident or citizen of Romania, Bulgaria or North Macedonia

• Aged between 16–20 years old

• Curious and motivated to learn about circular economy practices, traditional ecological knowledge, and reducing waste.

• Open-minded, active, and ready to participate fully in interactive workshops, team activities, and discussions

• Excited to work with peers from different countries and cultural backgrounds

• Available for the full 7-day program and committed to active participation in all sessions

• Willing to share what you’ve learned with your school, youth group, or local community after the exchange

👤 Group Composition:

From each participating country, we will select:

• 13 young participants (ages 16–20)

• 2 group leaders (aged 18+), responsible for supporting and guiding their national group throughout the project

No participant can arrive later than the official arrival day or depart earlier than the official departure day. Skipping activity days is not tolerated.

We encourage greener means of travel whenever possible, such as public transportation, carpooling, or contracted bus. Once the groups are formed, we will organize and arrange the most efficient route and means of travel to Izvoare, Harghita County Romania.

The transport tickets will be purchased by the organization for the participants. Please do NOT buy any tickets on your own without first consulting us, to avoid any risk of your travel expenses being ineligible for reimbursement.

Arrival in Izvoare: 16 August 2026
Departure from Izvoare: 24 August 2026
(Some groups might start the travel during the night in order to arrive in time to the activity in time)

IMPORTANT: Most of the costs like travel, activities, materials, accommodation, and daily food, are covered by the Erasmus+ programme. Rest, such as insurance, travel upgrades such as priority, checked-in luggage, 1st class tickets, etc, are not covered. Please, remember, The EU does co-fund, not fully fund this event, therefore you must cover your additional expenses.

All the participants must have valid travel insurance for the whole project period, including the travel days. The insurance must cover the following: 

• Third-party liability 

• Lost or stolen baggage. 

• Accident and serious illness. 

We cannot accept participants without private travel insurance. Supplementary, we also recommend that you get a European health insurance card. Your national health insurance provider issues this card. 

It’s time to showcase your country and culture in a fun, creative way!
Each national group is expected to prepare a short program to present their traditions, customs, and way of life. This is a special moment when participants can get to know each other’s cultures in a relaxed and informal setting.

What to bring:

• Traditional snacks and foods 

• National flags 

• Traditional clothes
  
  

Ideas for your presentation:

• Creative performances (songs, dances, short plays)

• Interactive quizzes or games

• Storytelling sessions or short videos (optional, only during free time)

We encourage you to be as creative as possible — think outside the box! Use theatre, live presentations, dances, or even funny sketches to make your evening memorable.

In the area, the average temperature in summer is between 15 °C and 25°C. Please check accuweather.com for more updated information about the weather. Casual, comfortable sportswear, slippers or sneakers for indoor and comfortable shoes for outdoor activities. Prepare your wardrobe for hot days and mildly chilly evenings.

Arrival Day – Participants arrive at Pensiunea Irgo, settle in, and take part in an informal meet & greet to start connecting with each other and the group.

Day 1 – Welcome & Team Building: Getting to know each other, building trust, and creating group agreements for a safe and supportive learning space.

Days 2–6 – Learning Journey: From Nature Connection to Action: Participants will move from nature-based well-being and digital detox activities, to exploring the “culture of garbage” and consumption habits, learning from traditional ecological practices, engaging in circular economy workshops (repair, reuse, upcycling), and finally creating personal Eco-Hero action plans and local follow-up activities to bring sustainability into their communities. 

Day 7 – Looking Forward: Reflection on learning outcomes through Youthpass, final evaluation, celebration, and preparation for departure.

Departure Day – Farewells and departure, taking with them new skills, experiences, and ideas for positive change in their communities.

In order to apply,  you have to create  an ASEY account, using  the link below.  If you already have an account  you  need to  log in  and complete the application form!
When you are creating the account and applying please carefully read the application form and note that:
1. We are not responsible for the wrong or incomplete data you introduce in the form.
2. Your data such as name, e-mail, and date of birth must be correct. Making mistakes will automatically translate into wrong information on your certificate received at the end of the project.
3. You must use no other e-mail address other than yours. Make sure you have access to it.
4. You have to specify to us if you prefer a vegetarian or vegan menu or have any allergies or intolerances - this cannot be changed during the project .