Cinema Without Borders

09.02.2026 – 18.02.2026

Madrid, Spain

Event summary

“Cinema Without Borders” aims to totally transform the way you see and interact with cinema. Forget boring lectures; we’re talking hands-on experience! This project is designed to empower you with practical skills in audiovisual creation. You’ll get to learn everything from crafting scripts, mastering the art of filming, and bringing it all together with editing techniques. Everyone will have the chance to try out different roles in the filmmaking process and discover new talents and passions along the way.

The ultimate goal? You and your international team will create your very own short film! This is your chance to tell your stories, express your artistic vision, and critically reflect on the media you consume. We believe in learning by doing, fostering teamwork, and boosting your creative confidence.

So, if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, collaborate with awesome people, and make some movie magic, what are you waiting for? Apply now and see you in Spain!

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!
Just a heads-up, folks! February in the forests of Madrid region can be sunny and nice,but it can also still be quite cold. Be prepared!

International Youth Exchange

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Where you'll be staying

Venue & Location

Get ready to be inspired! Our project will now take place at Rascafría, an ideal location for teamwork and connecting with nature. It is situated in the beautiful municipality of Rascafría, right in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama, about 100 km north of the vibrant capital of Spain, Madrid. The Rascafría Hostel is nestled in a spectacular natural setting, surrounded by forests and meadows, and close to the famous El Paular Monastery and the Lozoya Valley. It offers the perfect environment to disconnect, focus, and spark your creativity. The Hostel facilities typically include:

Capacity for a large number of participants (capacity may vary, but it is generally suitable for large groups).
Rooms and bathrooms adapted for group stays.
For some friendly competition: often includes sports courts or leisure areas (specifics depend on the hostel).
Yes, there’s Internet access (Wi-Fi).
The surrounding area is perfect for activities like hiking and nature exploration.

To keep your creative engines running, delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served at our venue every day, and don’t worry, we’ve got vegetarian options covered too!

Discover non-formal learning!

What can you expect?

The Program

This isn’t your average workshop; it’s an immersive, hands-on experience based on non-formal education methods. We’ll kick things off with fun icebreakers and team-building activities to get everyone comfortable and connected. Each day will be packed with engaging sessions where you’ll learn by doing! Here’s a sneak peek:

Storytelling & Scriptwriting: Dive into the art of crafting narratives. Learn the fundamentals of scriptwriting and develop your original ideas into scripts.
Lights, Camera, Action!: We’ll explore filming techniques and you’ll get to shoot scenes for your short films.

The Networking

Imagine spending a week with 29 other creative, energetic young people (plus facilitators!) in a beautiful Spanish setting. Whether you’re a seasoned film enthusiast or just starting out, you’ll make amazing connections.

The Unexpected

So, what is a Youth Exchange? It’s an adventure where young people from different countries come together to learn, share, and grow outside of formal classrooms. Expect the unexpected in the best way possible! It’s about discovering new perspectives, challenging yourself, stepping out of your comfort zone, and surprising yourself with what you can achieve.

Have fun while developing yourself!

Social program

It’s not all work and no play! We’ve got a fantastic social program lined up to help you unwind, bond, and experience different cultures:

Intercultural Nights: Each national group (Estonian, Greek, Spanish, Swedish) will host an evening to share their culture, traditions, food and music. Get ready to taste, learn, and dance!
“Los Goya Erasmus+” Awards Gala: To celebrate all your hard work, we’ll end the project with a bang! A spectacular closing ceremony where we’ll showcase your short films and every participant will be honored with a symbolic award.

How to get to the event?

Travel

We ask you to arrive at the venue in Rascafría on 9th February 2026 and participate fully until the end of the project. Departure will be on 18th February 2026. More detailed travel information on how to reach “Albergue Los Batanes” from Madrid will be provided to selected participants. We will cover your travel expenses up to a certain limit, based on the travel distance from your home to the venue. You will receive your reimbursement after the project, upon providing all necessary original tickets and invoices within one 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:

Spain (0-99 km): 0€
Greece (2000-2999 km): up to 395€
Estonia (2000-2999 km): up to 395€
Sweden (2000-2999 km): up to 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 we’re always open to feedback and love it if you share your ideas and other input with us. 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: 10.01.2026

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.

Cinema Without Borders