Polish Participants Expand Youth Participation Work from Wojnicz to Guadeloupe - and back!

After completing the NextGen youth exchange in Wojnicz, a group of Polish participants continued their engagement by jointly applying to another Erasmus+ youth exchange in Guadeloupe. The project addressed a topic closely related to their previous experience — youth participation through action. It focused on analysing the needs of local communities, developing practical solutions, and designing action plans to strengthen youth involvement in civic life.

During their stay in Guadeloupe, the Polish group played an active role not only as participants but also as contributors. They presented the key outcomes and learning results from NextGen, facilitating a dedicated workshop on good practices from the Polish exchange. The session demonstrated effective non-formal education tools for fostering participation, motivation, and youth-led initiatives, and it served as a platform for mutual exchange of experiences with peers from other countries. Their contribution helped connect the two projects conceptually — linking the reflection on youth engagement in Europe with similar initiatives in other regions.

Upon returning to Poland, the group initiated an extensive local follow-up phase aimed at multiplying the results of both exchanges. They organised and facilitated five two-hour workshops focused on youth empowerment and community participation. Each session combined the methodologies and insights gained in Wojnicz and Guadeloupe, guiding local young people through identifying community needs, developing ideas for local initiatives, and planning concrete actions.

Through these workshops, the participants not only disseminated the results of two Erasmus+ projects but also strengthened local networks of active youth, promoting the values of cooperation, inclusion, and civic responsibility. Their continued engagement stands as a strong example of how international exchanges can lead to sustained local impact — transforming short-term mobility into long-term community change.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.