Erasmus+ Open Call: 2 Trainings, 4 Spots, 1 Road Trip — Smolyan, Bulgaria (16-26 April 2026)

🇪🇺 Erasmus+ Mobilities — Open Call for Greece

🏔️ 2 Trainings. 4 Spots. 1 Road Trip.

Smolyan, Bulgaria — April 2026 | Fully Funded by Erasmus+

📍 Smolyan & Pamporovo
📅 16 – 26 April 2026
👥 4 Participants from Greece

📣 Calling Young People from Across Greece!

This Erasmus+ training Greece open call is your chance to explore Bulgaria! EVEC Athens is looking for 4 motivated young people (18+) from Greece to represent our organisation at two international Erasmus+ trainings happening simultaneously in Smolyan, Bulgaria — right next to the legendary Pamporovo, one of Southeast Europe’s most iconic mountain destinations. 🏔️✨

Two different projects, two different topics, one unforgettable trip. All 4 of you will travel together in one car, share the road trip experience, and represent Greece at two separate trainings with youth workers from 5+ European countries. And the best part? It won’t cost you a single euro.

💰 Zero cost for you. EVEC covers all travel expenses — we’re driving there together by car. Accommodation, meals, and the entire programme are fully funded by Erasmus+.

🚗 Road trip from Greece to the Rhodope Mountains! We depart from Athens and drive north through Greece. If you’re based in a town along our route — Lamia, Larissa, Thessaloniki, Serres, Drama, Kavala, Xanthi, Komotini — we pick you up on the way! 🗺️

📅
When
16 – 26 April 2026
🌍
Countries
5+ European Nations
💰
Cost for You
€0 — Fully Covered
🚗
Travel
Car — Pickup Along Route

🎯 Choose Your Training

Two projects, two themes, one location. Read both and choose the one that speaks to you — or tell us which one you prefer in the application form. Each training has 2 spots for Greek participants.

🏔️

Building Resilient Rural Communities

Youth Spaces for Participation & Development
📅 16 – 25 April 2026 · 8 Training Days

How do we keep rural communities alive and youth-friendly? This training explores innovative approaches to youth spaces, civic participation, and community development in rural and peripheral regions across Europe.

  • 🔹 Creating & managing youth spaces in rural areas
  • 🔹 Youth participation & civic engagement methods
  • 🔹 Placemaking & community-based youth work
  • 🔹 Social entrepreneurship & rural innovation
  • 🔹 Field visit to local initiatives in Smolyan
  • 🔹 Project design lab — build your own initiative

👥 2 Spots for Greece

🧠

Mind Matters

Empowering Youth Workers to Support Mental Wellbeing
📅 16 – 26 April 2026 · 10 Training Days

Mental health is one of the biggest challenges young people face today. This training builds your competences in mental wellbeing, emotional resilience, and creating psychologically safe youth environments.

  • 🔹 Mental wellbeing fundamentals & youth psychology
  • 🔹 Emotional intelligence & self-awareness
  • 🔹 Practical tools: mindfulness, creative arts, movement
  • 🔹 Crisis support & safeguarding protocols
  • 🔹 Self-care strategies for youth workers
  • 🔹 Design your own wellbeing project

👥 2 Spots for Greece

Not sure which one to choose? Apply and tell us your preference — we’ll help you find the best fit!


🗓️ Training Programmes — Day by Day

Both trainings follow a progressive learning journey. Here’s what each one covers:

🏔️ Building Resilient Rural Communities — Programme

  • 📌 Day 1 — Arrival & Welcome (16 April)
  • 📌 Day 2 — Rural Youth Challenges: understanding the realities
  • 📌 Day 3 — Youth Participation: methods & empowerment tools
  • 📌 Day 4 — Youth Spaces Development: designing inclusive environments
  • 📌 Day 5 — Placemaking & Community Engagement
  • 📌 Day 6 — Rural Innovation: creative approaches & social entrepreneurship
  • 📌 Day 7 — Field Visit to local youth initiatives in Smolyan
  • 📌 Day 8 — Project Design Lab: build your own initiative
  • 📌 Day 9 — Evaluation & Youthpass certification
  • 📌 Day 10 — Departure (25 April)

🧠 Mind Matters — Programme

  • 📌 Day 1 — Arrival & Building Community (16 April)
  • 📌 Day 2 — Understanding Mental Wellbeing & Youth Psychology
  • 📌 Day 3 — Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness
  • 📌 Day 4 — Building Supportive Youth Environments
  • 📌 Day 5 — Practical Tools & Intervention Techniques
  • 📌 Day 6 — Crisis Support & Safeguarding
  • 📌 Day 7 — International Practices & Policy Frameworks
  • 📌 Day 8 — Project Development & Action Planning
  • 📌 Day 9 — Project Presentations & Peer Feedback
  • 📌 Day 10 — Reflection, Youthpass & Departure (25 April)

Day 11 (26 April) is a travel day for participants returning home.


🧰 How You’ll Learn

Forget lectures and PowerPoints. Both Erasmus+ training Greece programmes are built on non-formal education principles — the kind of learning that actually sticks. Expect interactive workshops, group discussions, role-playing simulations, case studies, peer learning, field visits, and guided reflection sessions. Every day combines theory with hands-on practice. 💬🎭🚶

The Mind Matters training also includes morning wellness activities — yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, and mindful movement — so you experience wellbeing tools firsthand before learning to use them with young people. 🧘


🚗 The Road Trip Route

All 4 participants will travel together in one car from Greece to Bulgaria. You’ll get to know each other before the trainings even start — think of it as the beginning of a Greek Erasmus+ crew. 🇬🇷🤝

🗺️ Athens → Smolyan — Your Journey North

🏛️ Athens

Lamia

Larissa

Thessaloniki

Serres

Drama

Xanthi

🏔️ Smolyan

Live anywhere along this route? We’ll arrange a pickup point for you! 🤝
Even if you’re in a nearby town — Kavala, Komotini, Volos, Trikala — reach out and we’ll find a way.


🏔️ The Destination: Smolyan & Pamporovo

Erasmus+ training Greece Smolyan Bulgaria mountains

⛷️ Welcome to the Rhodope Mountains

Smolyan sits at the heart of the Rhodope Mountains in southern Bulgaria — a region of stunning natural beauty, ancient forests, and crystal-clear mountain air. Just 20 minutes away lies Pamporovo, Bulgaria’s most famous mountain resort and one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the Balkans. 🌲❄️

In April, the mountains are coming alive after winter — think lush green valleys, hiking trails through pine forests, and breathtaking panoramic views. It’s the perfect setting to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with nature, learning, and yourself. 🌿

This isn’t just a training venue — it’s a destination experience. Whether it’s exploring the mystical Rhodope caves, walking the famous Smolyan Lakes trail, or simply breathing in the mountain tranquility, you’ll leave with memories (and photos) that go far beyond the classroom. 📸🏞️

🏨 Accommodation & Meals

You’ll stay at Hotel Dikas in Smolyan — comfortable shared rooms with Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, and a central location near the training venues. All meals are provided: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee breaks throughout the day. Enjoy traditional Bulgarian cuisine alongside international dishes. 🍽️☕

📜 Youthpass Certification

Upon completion, every participant receives a Youthpass certificate — the official EU recognition instrument for non-formal learning. It documents the competences you developed during the training and is recognised across Europe. A real asset for your CV and professional development. 🎓✅


🇬🇷 Greek Intercultural Evening — Let’s Prepare Together!

Both trainings include an Intercultural Evening — a celebration where each country’s team presents its culture, traditions, food, and music. Since we’ll be travelling by car, we have a unique advantage: we can bring the real thing! 🎉

Once all 4 participants are confirmed, we’ll coordinate together to prepare an unforgettable Greek evening. Here are some ideas we’ll plan as a team:

🍽️ What We’ll Bring from Greece

🫒 Food & Snacks — Think feta, olives, spanakopita, pasteli, loukoumades ingredients, paximadia, Greek honey, or anything we can prepare fresh on-site

🍷 Drinks — Ouzo, tsipouro, Greek wine, or traditional mountain tea — we’re driving, so we can pack properly!

🎵 Music & Dance — Greek music playlist, maybe a quick sirtaki or hasapiko lesson for the international group

🏺 Cultural Items — Komboloi, small souvenirs, photos of Greece, a flag, traditional patterns or handicrafts

📸 Presentation — A short fun presentation or video about Greece, our cities, our traditions, and our youth work

The car gives us a huge advantage — no luggage limits for food and drinks! We’ll coordinate everything once the team is confirmed, so don’t worry about the details now. Just be ready to represent Greece with pride and good vibes. 🇬🇷✨


👤 Who Are We Looking For?

We’re looking for 4 young people (18+) based anywhere in Greece — 2 for each training — who are:

  • ✅ Interested in youth work, community development, mental health, or non-formal education
  • ✅ Motivated to learn, share ideas, and work in an international team
  • ✅ Open to personal growth, new experiences, and stepping out of their comfort zone
  • ✅ Comfortable communicating in English (working language of both trainings)
  • ✅ Ready for a 10-day immersive experience in the Bulgarian mountains

No prior Erasmus+ training Greece experience is needed. You don’t need to be a professional — just someone with motivation, curiosity, and openness. Whether you’re a student, a young professional, a volunteer, or someone exploring the youth work field — this is your chance. 🚀

📍 Where can we pick you up? We start from Athens and drive through central and northern Greece on our way to Bulgaria. If you’re in or near Athens, Lamia, Larissa, Thessaloniki, Serres, Drama, Kavala, Xanthi, or Komotini, we can arrange a pickup point along the route. No matter where you are in Greece — let’s make it work!

📝 How to Apply

Interested? The Erasmus+ training Greece application process is simple — just fill in the online application form. It only takes a few minutes. Tell us which training you prefer (or if you’re open to both), and we’ll take it from there. ⏳

  • 1️⃣ Fill in the application formclick here to apply
  • 2️⃣ We contact you — to confirm your spot and discuss travel logistics
  • 3️⃣ Join the group chat — we coordinate the road trip and intercultural evening together
  • 4️⃣ Pack your bags — and get ready for the road trip to the Rhodopes! 🏔️

🌟 Ready to Join Us?

4 spots available for this Erasmus+ training Greece programme — 2 per training.
Whether you’re in Athens, Thessaloniki, or anywhere in between — fill in the form today!

📝 Apply Now — Fill the Form

Questions? Contact us at erasmus@evec.org.gr

Organised by Young Improvers for Youth Development (YIYD), Bulgaria
🇪🇺 Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union
Accreditation № 2023-1-BG01-KA150-YOU-000193502 | Project № 2025-1-BG01-KA151-YOU-000298009

#Erasmus+
#YouthWork
#MentalHealth
#RuralCommunities
#Wellbeing
#Bulgaria
#Pamporovo
#EVEC
#Greece
#RoadTrip
#NonFormalEducation
#Youthpass

This Erasmus+ training Greece opportunity is published by EVEC Athens — European Vocational Education Centre

🇪🇺 The European Commission cannot be held re

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