Art of Comfort

13.01 – 23.01.2026

Mustjõe, Estonia

Event summary

As society urges us to seek discomfort, art quietly reminds us how to feel at ease.

“Art of Comfort” is a winter youth exchange in Estonia where we use simple creative activities to deal with common modern problems: anxiety and overthinking, burnout and performance pressure, and the lack of real social connection. This is not therapy. It is not a “deep feelings only” camp. It is a practical program for young people who want to get in touch with their inner selves, and build stronger connections with others through arts.

For nine days, 35 participants from Estonia, Sweden, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Spain will live, work and learn together in an international group. We will use non-formal methods that actually stick: teamwork challenges, short creative labs, role play, story based activities, and low pressure art sessions. You do NOT need talent. You do NOT need special tools. You just need to show up and take part!

We will keep it concrete and useful. You will try simple ways to express yourself through art. You will learn how to slow down and reflect using different creative mediums as your main tools. You will also learn how to set healthier limits with study, work, and your phone, so you do not run on empty. You will practice communication that makes it easier to connect, even with people who are very different from you. And you will acquire a set of skills you can take home, routines and ideas that work in normal everyday life.

Winter in Estonia gives us the perfect setting. Outside is cold and quiet. Inside we build a warm base with inspiring workshops, good company, shared tasks, and a lot of laughter.

If you want a trip that is fun, useful, and social, this is it. You will leave with new people in your life, a reignited inspiration for arts, better ways to handle stress, and a stronger sense that you can manage what life throws at you.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission Erasmus+ programme. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Attention!
Please note: winter in Estonia is real winter. Weather changes quickly, and temperatures can drop to -20°C, which is not uncommon. Our accommodation is a youth-exchange style venue, not a hotel, meaning the standards are simpler and comfort is more “practical” than “luxury.” We want everyone to arrive with the right expectations: this is an adventure-style experience. Safety comes first, and the project is designed to keep participants safe in all conditions.

International Youth Exchange

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Where you'll be staying

Venue & Location

The venue is located in a secluded place surrounded by extraordinary scenery. It has a calming charm and relaxing vibe that is away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The big wooden houses seem like something out of Game of Thrones and make the whole accommodation very unique. When walking around the place, you might even meet some horses and other animals. No worries though, they are really friendly!

Our participants will be accommodated in single and double rooms which resemble small wooden cabins rather than a modern house. We will try to spend as much time outside as possible, but the venue also offers some great amenities.

Place includes:

Modern Finnish sauna
Estonian smoke-sauna
Hot tub
Rustic seminar room
Possibility to hike in the beautiful forests
Cozy indoor spaces
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at the same location every day and we are also providing vegetarian options!

We truly believe that this is the perfect place to thoroughly enjoy the company of new-found friends, big healthy doses of clean fresh air, and participating in the planned activities. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a unique and picturesque part of Estonia.

Discover non-formal learning!

What can you expect?

Daily life

The program is designed so that everything begins with some fun ice-breakers, and from there we’ll gradually dive deeper into the topic. Each day will be filled with workshops, games, and activities that spark your creativity and keep the whole experience engaging. The event will be collaborative from start to finish, and we’ll be using non-formal learning methods, so don’t worry, no boring lectures here!

Community

It doesn’t matter if you are an introvert or an extrovert, you can look forward to making many awesome friends. We’ll spend more than a week together with 35 fun and energetic people in the middle of vast Estonian forests, sounds like an adventure, doesn’t it? It’s common for the participants to stay in touch long after the event has finished, so don’t miss out on this unique chance. If you ever felt the need to connect with new friends, there is no better opportunity than this one. It’s also an ideal way to join Youth Europa and its community.

Personal Development

Whether you’re looking to reignite your passion for handcrafts, painting, writing, or other creative activities, reconnect with yourself on a deeper level, or practice your social skills and English, this exchange provides the perfect space for all of that. Workshops are designed to spark your creativity, help you stay grounded and focused, and guide you toward rediscovering the things that truly matter to you. Immerse in the peaceful wilderness of Estonia and you may find a refreshed, more inspired version of yourself emerging.

Have fun while developing yourself!

Social program

This is a youth exchange, which means that besides all the cool workshops there will be plenty of additional activities. We have prepared a fun social program that will make sure that nobody goes home without a few new friends. No matter if you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you will find your place here. Throughout the training course, there will be small but fun games that help us become more united, learn about each other and build meaningful relationships. It’s the perfect opportunity to find international friends.

How to get to the event?

Travel

You must arrive on the 13th of January at the venue and have to participate in the full duration of the event. Departure day is on 23rd of January. You can get to Mustjõe by flying to Tallinn and taking a train to your final destination. We will provide more travelling information once you have been selected to join the project. If you need more information, please contact us for additional details. We will cover your travel expenses up to a certain limit. You will receive your reimbursement after you have provided us with all the documents within a month after the event. If you’re economical, it’s possible to get your full travel expenses covered!

The travel reimbursement limit depends on the travel distance. The upper limit per country is:

Estonia (0-9km): 0€
Slovakia (499-1999km): 275€
Czech Republic (499-1999km): 275€
Sweden (499-1999km): 275€
Spain (2000-2999km): 395€

Meet the people behind Youth Europa!

Organisers

Since every project that we are carrying out is based on our own interests and skills, you can expect us to be highly motivated and energetic. Our extensive experience makes us more flexible and helps us make meaningful adjustments to the program. Keep in mind that this youth exchange is a collaborative event where you also have the chance to help and contribute. Come and meet some of the awesome people behind Youth Europa and who knows, maybe you’ll join us one day!

Proof of participation

YouthPass Certificate

As a participant of this event, you will receive YouthPass – a certificate of non-formal education recognized all across Europe that allows you to describe what you have done and learned. On top of that, it can be a great way to stand out at a job interview or when applying to a university, not to mention the part where you get to show off to your friends:)

Send your application!

Deadline: 13.12.2025

Contact us

Ask us anything!

Frequently Asked Questions

How the heck is this so cheap?

This project is supported by Erasmus+ program. This enables us to keep the participation fee very low and even remove it for people who are in financial difficulties. We know it sounds too good to be true, feel free to check out the reviews:)

Not at all. We try to focus on non-formal learning methods. This means that all activities are interactive and you will usually work in groups.

What are the participation requirements?

Everyone who comes from the eligible countries and is 18 to 30 years old is welcome to apply. There are no prerequisites, we actually welcome people who have no prior experience at all. Also, this event is not political. We don’t care if you hold conservative or more liberal views. Just be friendly and cooperative, we’re all here to learn, make friends & have fun!

How do I sign up?

Click the “apply now” button below if the deadline has not passed. Fill the form and answer all the questions as sincerely as possible. We will get in touch with you if you have been selected. Make sure that @youtheuropa.org mails don’t go to your spam!:)

How are participants selected?

The participants are selected based on their motivation and interest in the topic. There is no catch, you just need to be sincere and honest in your application. Also, if you’re not selected in this project, it’s more likely that you get selected for the next ones.

How do I buy the tickets and plan my trip?

Questions such as this one will be answered by the organisers or your group leader. Don’t worry, we will help you find the best possible option!

What kind of travel cost will be covered?

We will cover your trip to and from the project destination. There are some limits that apply, this is based on your travel distance. These limits are mentioned in the information above. If you buy the tickets early enough, it’s common to get your travel 100% covered.

How & When do I get my travel reimbursement?

After the event, all participants will fill the reimbursement form where you will be asked to upload the travel cost documents (itinerary, boarding passes, invoices etc.). The reimbursement process usually takes between 1-2 months. Remember that we will help you on every step of the way.

Do I have to speak in front of a group or lead workshops?

Nope. You will not be forced to do anything that you’re not comfortable with. But it’s definitely a great place to step our of your comfort zone. This is going to be a journey in your personal development:)

I still have some questions

No problem, get in touch with us and we will do our best to provide you some answers. You can do so by heading over to the contact page.

Art of Comfort