Chronicles of Europe

23.01 – 03.02.2025

Orsa, Sweden

Event summary

Can a story shape who we are? It may sound surprising, but the stories we hear and tell can have a powerful impact on our lives. Storytelling is a powerful tool that goes beyond entertainment, it connects us to our past, our culture, and one another. In “Chronicles of Europe”, we will explore the magic of storytelling through old fairy tales and traditions, examining how they shape our values, beliefs, and even our communities.

Throughout this program, we’ll dive into the art of storytelling, exploring traditional fairy tales and folk stories from different cultures across Europe. From uncovering the hidden messages in these old tales to crafting your own narratives. We aim to inspire creativity, deepen cultural understanding, and celebrate the power of tradition in shaping our identity.

We welcome young adults from Estonia, Greece, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden to join us on an unforgettable 10-day journey set in the beautiful landscapes of Sweden. Over the course of ten days, you’ll engage in a variety of activities ranging from workshops about writing, storytelling, sharing of cultural stories to team-building activities that will help you form new connections.

Join us on this enchanting journey, where we unlock the timeless magic of fairy tales and traditions. Be prepared to share your voice, discover new stories, and create memories that will last a lifetime. We look forward to hearing your tale!

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 that the youth exchange will take place in Orsa, Sweden, during the winter season. Temperatures can drop as low as -20°C, and snowy conditions are common. While the weather can be challenging, it also provides a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and tranquility of a Swedish winter.

International Youth Exchange

Travel, food and accommodation is all covered by EU. The participation fee is your only expense.

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Where you'll be staying

Venue & Location

Keeping our topic in mind, the venue and its nearby surroundings have been an important element for us. Therefore, we’re happy to have found this hidden gem situated in Orsa, Sweden. Here, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful forests close to a peaceful lake. We strongly believe that keeping away from our modern and hectic reality in a harmonious environment will help us get inspired and engaged with a clear head. The venue offers rooms with beds for 4-5 people in each one, meaning you’ll be sharing a room with other participants. The venue also has a large, shared room where we’ll have some of our group activities. Additionally, there are some quiet spots around the site where you can spend some peaceful time alone.

Here’s what you can expect at the venue:

Cozy environment for group activities
Quiet spots where you can relax by yourself
Outdoor areas where we can enjoy the beautiful surroundings
Meals at the venue provided by us with vegetarian options available
Warm up at the sauna and indoor swimming pool

While we’re planning to hold most of our activities indoors, a few will be outdoors. The beauty of Orsa and its peaceful vibe makes it a great place for our program. You’ll have a chance to enjoy this fantastic location while making new friends and engaging in activities.

Discover non-formal learning!

What can you expect?

Group bonding and learning

A key element of youth exchanges is creating meaningful connections and building a sense of community. Therefore, we place great emphasis on group activities, beginning with icebreakers to help us get to know each other in a fun way without pressure, but also to promote an open, safe, and supportive environment. Aside from the ice breakers, we will host different creative workshops and lead discussions on traditions, stories and legends. And how these themes connect different cultures. These activities will be taking place in the venue’s cozy indoor environment, giving us ample space to learn, share, and grow together.

Roots and bridges

Sharing stories about our own traditions and preserving our heritage while reconnecting with our roots. Exchanging these stories and listening to others, creates bridges and connections in the group by unifying all the different backgrounds. This exchange not only enriches our understanding of one another but also strengthens the sense of European identity within the group.

Creativity & Crafting

This project will give you the chance to challenge your creative side. Explore and learn how to use storytelling to express your ideas and thoughts. Work in teams and unleash your imagination to create new versions of old tales. Build new worlds and characters to tell your own story. Collaborate with others to bring your ideas to life, exchange perspectives, and see how different creative minds can shape a story. Through this process, you’ll discover the power of shared creativity and how it can inspire innovative ideas and new ways of thinking.

Have fun while developing yourself!

Social program

In addition to our daily activities, we’ve designed an engaging social program for each evening. A highlight of this program is our cultural nights, where teams from each participating country get a chance to share their unique cultures. Whether it’s through games, songs, dances, or other creative expressions, these evenings will be rich with learning and laughter. While active participation is a key part of making the experience meaningful for everyone, we understand that stepping out of your comfort zone can sometimes feel challenging. That’s why we’ve created a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where you can engage fully at your own pace. Our goal is to help you feel at ease while embracing new experiences, ensuring that every activity becomes a rewarding and enjoyable opportunity to connect and grow.

How to get to the event?

Travel

Lastly, we will cover any questions you might have regarding travel. There are a few important details and rules that must be followed to be eligible for this project and for reimbursement. As a participant, it is mandatory to arrive at the venue on the 23rd of January as well as participate for the whole duration of the event. (Departure day is on the 3rd of February). To get to the venue you can take a direct flight to Stockholm and then take a bus to Orsa. We will provide more traveling information once you have been selected to join the project. As for reimbursement, Youth Europa will cover your travel expenses up to a specified limit. It is important to note that you will need to provide us with all the relevant documents: invoices, boarding passes, receipts et cetera. This is done after the event with our help and instructions. After you have handed this in you should receive reimbursement within a month after the event. If you’re economical, it’s possible to get your full travel expenses covered! If you need more information, please contact us for additional details.

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

Spain (3000-3999km): 530€
Greece (2000-2999km): 360€
Slovakia (500-1999km): 275€
Estonia (500-1999km): 275€
Sweden (100-499km): 180€

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 youth exchanges are collaborative events 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: 10.12.2024

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.

Chronicles of Europe