In May 2026, our Stefan Kovačević participated in the Erasmus+ training course “From Ideas to Reality – Inclusion Project Lab,” organized by our partner organization Seiklejate Vennaskond from Estonia. During seven intensive days, together with youth workers from ten different countries, he worked on developing new project ideas dedicated to inclusion, human rights, and the fight against discrimination. For Stefan, this was not just another international experience, but an opportunity to gain new knowledge through cooperation, exchange of ideas, and teamwork, expand his network of contacts, and find additional motivation for future initiatives. Below, you can read his reflections on the project, the people he met, and an experience that reminded him how solidarity and mutual support can turn ideas into reality.
From May 1st to May 9th, 2026, I had the privilege of participating in the Erasmus+ Partnership-Building Activity (PBA) “From Ideas to Reality – Inclusion Project Lab,” held in the scenic Valga county, Estonia. This intensive 7-day project lab brought together youth workers from 10 different countries with the shared goal of strengthening cooperation and designing high-quality future initiatives.
The main focus of our work was to exchange best practices and jointly develop concrete Erasmus+ project concepts centered around No Hate Speech, human rights education, and anti-discrimination. Throughout the week, I actively engaged in a structured project-development process alongside professional trainers and colleagues, which greatly enhanced my capacity to design inclusive youth work. We dedicated a lot of energy to finding effective ways to ensure the meaningful involvement of young people with fewer opportunities in our future initiatives. Through dynamic workshops, team sessions, and deep intercultural discussions, we managed to align our values and establish high quality standards for our future joint activities.
As a direct result of this intensive teamwork, we successfully shaped several structured draft project plans, defining clear roles, timelines, and next steps for future submissions. This experience has been incredibly valuable for my personal and professional development as a youth worker, as it allowed me to upgrade my skills in international communication, project planning, and non-formal education. Furthermore, this project-lab allowed me to directly contribute to my organization’s development by strengthening our international network and opening doors for long-term strategic partnerships across Europe. I returned home from Estonia inspired, motivated, and equipped with practical tools to turn innovative ideas into reality, fully reminded of how vital the Erasmus+ Programme is for fostering true inclusion and solidarity.
