Safe, not sorry!

22.04 – 02.05.2025

Mustjõe, Estonia

Event summary

Ever had that sinking feeling about all the things that could go wrong on a youth exchange? You’re not alone. Many of us worry about safety, conflicts, and unexpected chaos. That’s why we created “Safe, not sorry!” This training course is here to help you feel more confident and ready for any surprises that might come your way.

We’re looking for youth workers, NGO staff, educators, youth leaders, and camp organisers (or anyone keen on planning Erasmus+ youth exchanges) to join us. There will be 30 participants from Estonia, Sweden, Slovakia, Greece, and Spain. We’ll all gather in a cosy little venue in the heart of Estonia’s nature. It’s the perfect spot for outdoor fun and fresh-air inspiration.Our programme mixes workshops, debates, networking, and other activities. Everything is based on non-formal education, so expect hands-on learning and real-life examples. We want you to walk away with new skills that keep participants safe and happy. Our team has loads of experience organising successful youth exchanges, and they can’t wait to share their stories and tips.Together, we’ll explore how to make youth exchanges safer from start to finish.

We’ll talk about physical safety, but also mental well-being, conflict resolution, communication, preparation, and inclusion. We’ll look at ways to handle special needs and tricky logistics. We believe sharing best practices is the key to growing stronger as a community of youth workers and organisations.So, if you’re tired of feeling stressed and want real solutions, this training is your next step. Join us to build your confidence, sharpen your skills, and make your future projects safer and more fun for everyone. We promise it won’t be boring, together, we’ll turn risk management into a creative adventure. Apply now & see you in Estonia!

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!
Friendly disclaimer: This isn’t a youth exchange. It’s a training course designed for people who are already involved in (or want to get involved in) youth exchanges and youth work. You don’t need to be employed at a youth centre, but we do expect you to have a basic grasp of youth work, non-formal education, and how Erasmus+ projects work. That way, we can jump straight into the good stuff and make the most of our time together. Newcomers who are willing to catch up on these topics, are welcome to apply!

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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 a nordic myth which makes the whole accommodation very unique. When walking around the place, you will definitely meet some chickens, 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. Depending on the weather we will try to spend as much time as we can to enjoy being outside in the venue’s beautiful location.

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?

The program

The program begins with ice-breaking activities, followed by a gradual introduction into the core subject matter. Each day will consist of engaging workshops, games, and various activities designed to stimulate your creativity and enhance the overall experience. Knowledgeable trainers will provide guidance throughout this journey, promoting a collaborative environment from start to end. You will learn through non-formal education about various risk management subjects in the context of Erasmus+ projects. Learning the basics within risk evaluation, project planning and the use of various tools.

The networking

It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced youth worker or someone who is just starting out, you can look forward to making many awesome connections. We’ll spend more than a week together with 30 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 work together with passionate youth workers who want to bring non-formal education to those who need it the most.

The unexpected

Training courses are not something that just a small group of people contribute to. Each participant has a chance to shape this event into something really memorable and useful. We highly encourage you to share your knowledge and experience with others on the project. You are more than welcome to suggest new ideas, tools or activities to the trainers.

Have fun while developing yourself!

Social program

After a full day of tackling real-world risks and learning to keep everyone safe, you’ll want a chance to relax, have fun, and get to know each other better. That’s where our social evenings come in. We’ve planned a mix of cultural activities, games, and a few surprises to keep your energy high and your spirits lifted. We’re big fans of our tradition of Intercultural Night, where each national group brings special treats from home for everyone to taste. It’s the perfect way to explore new flavours, swap stories, and maybe even pick up a few foreign dance moves. Trust us, these evening sessions will help you connect, unwind, and form friendships that last well beyond this training course.

How to get to the event?

Travel

You must arrive on the 22nd of april at the venue and have to participate in the full duration of the event. Departure day is on 2nd of may. 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€
Greece (2000-2999km): 360€
Slovakia (499-1999km): 275€
Sweden (499-1999km): 275€
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 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: 05.04.2025

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.

Safe, not sorry!