Between 28 November and 5 December 2025, representatives of the “Young Improvers for Youth Development” Association, together with students from the High School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences “Vasil Levski” in Smolyan, participated in the international youth exchange Flow for Change, held in Braga, Portugal, under the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme.
The initiative brought together young participants from Portugal, Spain, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Türkiye and Estonia, who jointly explored the theme of responsible and sustainable water usage through a structured programme of educational, intercultural and experiential learning activities.
Educational Framework and Methodology
The exchange was implemented entirely through non-formal learning methodologies, including:
- Thematic workshops and working groups
- Interactive simulations and role-plays
- Group discussions and peer-learning
- Collaborative project-based assignments
- Presentations and creative outputs
This methodology fostered learning through experience, encouraged critical thinking, intercultural dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, while strengthening communication and leadership competences.
Key Learning Insight
The exchange provided participants with a new perspective on water use and waste, demonstrating that despite the geographic and cultural differences between countries, the environmental challenge is shared and urgent.
Participants concluded that water preservation requires both local responsibility and international cooperation to achieve sustainable outcomes.
Final Output – Awareness Campaign
The exchange culminated in the creation of a public awareness campaign, jointly conceptualized and developed by the international teams. The campaign aims to:
- Motivate behavioural change related to water consumption
- Promote environmental awareness and responsibility
- Engage young citizens in sustainability-focused dialogue
The campaign will be disseminated both locally and online, reaching wide audiences across the involved partner countries.
Human Dimension and Added Value
Beyond the cognitive achievements, the project created meaningful interpersonal connections and intercultural understanding.
Participants emphasised that the exchange was defined by friendship, humour, cooperation and mutual respect, which significantly enhanced the learning impact and personal development.
Erasmus+ as an Empowering Platform
The Flow for Change exchange reaffirmed the capacity of Erasmus+ to:
- Provide learning opportunities beyond formal education
- Promote intercultural cooperation and European solidarity
- Develop key competences and civic participation
- Empower young people, regardless of their backgrounds or challenges
Acknowledgements
We extend our sincere gratitude to:
- The host organisation and coordinating team in Braga;
- Our international partners and colleagues;
- The participating students for their active engagement and professionalism;
- The High School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences “Vasil Levski” and the Regional Education Department – Smolyan, for their support and cooperation.