"Keep it Real! 2023" Training Course in Vilnius, Lithuania

What does it actually make to have a REAL youth exchange? What is YOUR REALITY of youth exchange projects? Perhaps you had some experience in applying, if so what were your challenges, and expectations? We want to help you with finding tips & tricks to raise the quality of the future youth exchange. 

„Keep it REAL! 2023“ training course will offer possibilities to explore what does it take to have a REAL Youth Exchange. The course is mainly aimed at those who have no or just a little experience of applying for international Youth Exchange – either you have just recently applied for the grant and received a negative answer or you have freshly „joined the club“ of applicants by planning to apply for a grant for the first time. 

The main aim of this training is to support youth exchange applicants to increase main quality aspects in various phases of the project. The approach of this TC is based on a combination of inputs and practice to let participants put hands on real experiences – explore problem solving, share advice, deal with issues which really matter. There are many quality criteria when it comes to the Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges, this training course will concentrate on certain aspects that most of applicants are struggling with: youth participation, equal partnership, dimension of non-formal learning, intercultural learning, Youthpass process, seeing the whole project as a long-term learning process and dealing with possible risks. 

We are inviting representatives, young people who are actively involved in planning a youth exchange project. In the training course we are expecting up to 30 participants from Programme countries and Eastern Partnership countries. To encourage participation of young people during the selection process priority will be given to them. 

Team: Vika Matuzaitė and Žilvinas Mažeikis who will share all their knowledge and experience in YE, also representatives of Lithuanian National Agency will join the training to support the process, share some technical aspects of youth exchange projects, get into direct contact with participants and share real examples from the field. 

The activity consists of three events: 

• 2 hours online kick-off event on 14th of July. During this event you will have a possibility to meet youth trainers, get to know more about YE quality requirements and check if your idea is suitable for project application, also how to prepare so it would be ready. 
• Face to face training course from 3rd to 8th of September. Training course will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania. Full infopack will be sent to the selected participants, a month prior to the TC. 
• Online consultations. Each project application group will receive 2 hours consultation before submitting their application, if needed, 1-2 weeks before the EU application deadline. 

In case you have any questions regarding the training course, do not hesitate to contact the representatives of Agency of Youth Affairs (Lithuanian NA) and