ReWork / ReWear

15.10 – 26.10.2024

Taevaskoja, Estonia

Event summary

Imagine turning outdated clothes into trendy, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your unique style. Upcycling, reworking, or breathing new life into old clothing can be an empowering form of self-expression. It’s a blend of art, fashion, and creativity, allowing you to enhance your wardrobe or create new pieces from repurposed materials. Plus, it’s a fun and engaging way to start meaningful discussions about the negative impacts of fast fashion and how you can take charge of your contribution to a sustainable lifestyle.

Immerse yourself in the unique and cozy landscape of Taevaskoja, where you’ll enjoy a mix of learning, sharing, and bonding experiences. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the rich culture of Tartu during the city trip and shopping day, discovering materials for your project.

Over ten eventful days, we will delve into the art of upcycling, sewing, and printing, among other activities. This immersive experience is designed to inspire and empower you to express your unique style while embracing eco-friendly practices.

Ready to transform your wardrobe? Apply now and join us in bringing sustainable fashion closer to youth!

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!
Don’t worry about your skill level – everyone is welcome! Our experienced participants will teach you the basics on the spot. Apply now and bring your enthusiasm and creativity!

International Youth Exchange

Or share with others!

Where you'll be staying

Venue & Location

This event will take place in Taevaskoja, Estonia, in a secluded area surrounded by extraordinary scenery. It has a calming charm and relaxing vibe, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The accommodation was recently renovated, a modern cabin with plenty of light. It’s only 700 meters from one of Estonia’s most famous natural sightseeing attractions. Hopefully, the weather will be on our side, allowing us to show you the beauty of this place as much as possible.

The venue is also just an hour away from Tartu, one of Estonia’s cultural centers. The city is home to several second-hand and flea markets, providing ample opportunities and inspiration for your upcycling projects during the project. You will share spacious and comfortable rooms with 1 or 2 other participants, each room includes a shower, toilet, and quick access to the venue’s balcony.

Venue includes:

Modern Finnish sauna
Hot tub, cold tub, and you tub
Indoor seminar room
Possibility of hiking in the beautiful forests
Stay in the cozy indoor spaces which have lots of light
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served at the same location every day, and we are also providing vegetarian and vegan options

Discover non-formal learning!

What can you expect?

Upcycling & ecological living

This project will kickstart or further your experience in the world of upcycling and enable you to collaborate with others in areas such as sewing, resizing, printing, and painting, while also supporting a more sustainable way of living. This project’s goal is to highlight issues and promote sustainable, creative alternatives to fast fashion. We aim to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to reuse old clothing in innovative and stylish ways, and to understand the benefits of consuming locally and organically produced clothing. Showcase your handmade pieces in a professional studio photoshoot setting. Use these high-quality images to promote your creativity and spread awareness of the possibilities that upcycling offers!

Making New Friends

By bringing together young adults from diverse backgrounds and cultures, we aim to foster an environment where making new friends is a natural part of the experience. Through collaborative activities, group discussions, and shared adventures in the beautiful Estonian landscape, participants will bond over common interests and collective goals. This shared journey will most certainly help build a strong sense of community, encouraging participants to support and learn from one another, ultimately bringing people together in a meaningful way.

Exploration And Adventure

Estonia’s natural beauty offers the perfect backdrop for hikes and calm walks. It’s an ideal location for engaging discussions on ecological living and nature preservation, immersing you in the very environment we’re striving to protect. Shopping day where you as participants will get to explore local second-hand stores and flea markets to discover unique materials and clothing for use in workshops. It’s not just about finding treasures; it’s a chance to bond, laugh, and immerse ourselves in Estonia’s local culture.

Have fun while developing yourself!

Social program

In addition to our daily activities we’ve designed an engaging social program for each evening. One of the highlights of this program is our cultural nights where teams from each participating country will get a chance to share their unique cultures. Whether it’s through games, songs, dances or any other creative medium, these evenings will be rich with learning and laughter. While we aim to foster new friendships and mutual understanding, we also recognize that social situations can feel overwhelming for some. Please know that we’re committed to making these activities as comfortable as possible for everyone. Each activity is meant to be enjoyable and inclusive, providing a warm and relaxed environment where you can connect with others at your own pace.

How to get to the event?

Travel

You must arrive before late evening on 15.10 at the venue and have to participate in the entire duration of the event. You can get to Taevaskoja by flying to Tallinn or Riga and taking a train or a bus to Tartu. From there, you will continue by train or by bus to your final destination. We will provide more traveling information once you have been selected to join the project. If you need more information, please contact us for more details. We will cover your travel cost 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!

Selected participants need to contact the organizer and send their travel info before buying the tickets. It is really important not to buy anything before receiving the green light from us. We will, of course, assist you in every way possible! The travel reimbursement limit depends on the travel distance. The upper limit per country is:
Estonia (0-9km): 0€
Sweden (499-1999km): 275€
Slovakia (499-1999km): 275€
Greece (2000-2999km): 360€
Spain (3000-3999km): 530€

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: 01.09.2024

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.

ReWork / ReWear