Athens, one of Europe’s oldest capitals, is a city where historical depth and contemporary vibrancy coexist with remarkable ease. With more than 3,400 years of continuous habitation, it offers a unique context for reflection, learning, and creativity. Its ancient landmarks, such as the Acropolis, stand as symbols of intellectual heritage, innovation, and civic participation—values that remain central to the Erasmus+ philosophy today. The city’s cultural richness, from the Panathenaic Stadium built entirely of marble to its remarkable network of over 150 active theatres, makes it an inspiring destination for youth work and international cooperation.
It is precisely inthis environment that our team spent seven productive days participating in a Partnership Building Activity (PBA) within the Erasmus+ framework. The experience was far more than a formal international training—it grew into a dynamic space of collaborative learning, creative exploration, and meaningful human connection.
From the verybeginning, the working environment felt less like a structured training room and more like a shared creative laboratory. Participants from Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina —each bringing their expertise, perspectives, and personal motivations—formed a diverse community united by a common purpose: to build impactful, sustainable, and innovative initiatives for young people. The diversity of backgrounds enriched every conversation, and the blend of personal narratives, professional experiences, and cultural insights transformed each session into a genuine learning opportunity.
What made this PBAespecially valuable was the openness that emerged among the participants. Discussions evolved naturally—not only during formal sessions but also in spontaneous moments over coffee breaks, while waiting for presentations to start, or during short walks outside the venue. These informal exchanges often sparked the most compelling ideas. People shared their ambitions, but also their dilemmas and doubts, creating an environment where learning became a collective process rather than an individual pursuit.
The development ofproject ideas unfolded in this stimulating atmosphere. Concepts were shaped collaboratively, often beginning with a single sentence or observation and gradually transforming into structured, realistic proposals with clear objectives and potential long-term impact. The sense of trust that developed early on enabled everyone—both younger participants and more experienced practitioners—to contribute freely. This balance of experience and fresh perspective created an ideal ecosystem for creative problem-solving.
Networking during thePBA extended far beyond exchanging contact information. It became a genuine
process of building professional and personal relationships. Participants learned from one another’s methodologies, organisational frameworks, and national contexts. This exchange helped identify shared values and complementary strengths, laying the foundation for partnerships that may lead
to impactful youth initiatives in the future. The PBA became a reminder that collaboration is not merely a strategic tool but a meaningful human experience that enriches both professional and personal growth.
These experiencesenriched not only the professional dimension of the mobility but also its personal one. Sharing moments of exploration, reflection, and discovery made the trip more memorable and reminded me how strongly personal and professional experiences can intertwine within mobility projects. Erasmus+ programmes are, at their core, about people—about learning, collaboration, and connection. And when these experiences are shared with others, they gain a deeper significance.
In retrospective, thisPBA in Athens stands out as a meaningful blend of structured professional development and authentic human interaction. It reinforced the importance of cooperation in youth work, the value of intercultural dialogue, and the transformative power of shared learning. The ideas developed throughout the week have the potential to grow into impactful initiatives that address real
needs within our communities. But beyond concrete outcomes, what will remain most memorable is the sense of community that formed—one built on curiosity, creativity, mutual respect, and the belief that meaningful change is possible when people come together with a shared purpose.
As we move forwardwith new collaborations and future projects, the experience gained in Athens will continue to shape our approach to youth work, partnership-building, and innovation. It is a reminder that even in a world shaped by constant change, spaces like Erasmus+ PBA continue to offer young professionals and organisations opportunities to grow, connect, and create.
