Keep the balance.
Learn from nature.

Youth from Four Countries Participate in the KEEP THE BALANCE, LEARN FROM NATURE Project

Young people from Poland, Ukraine, Italy, and Romania participated in the KEEP THE BALANCE, LEARN FROM NATURE project as part of the Erasmus+ program. The exchange took place at the Agritourism Center "Hajstra" in Huta Polańska, located in the Low Beskids in southeastern Poland (Jasło County).

Project Goals

The main goals of the youth exchange included:

• Creating conditions for mutual acquaintance, overcoming barriers and stereotypes, and fostering cooperation among young people with common interests.
• Developing creativity, activity, independence, and teamwork skills, which are valuable for building future professional careers.
• Increasing ecological awareness.
• Promoting a healthy lifestyle.
• Expanding practical and theoretical knowledge about hippotherapy and soft tourism, and their organization according to sustainable development principles.
• Providing participants with knowledge of natural methods for maintaining mental balance and hygiene.
• Influencing local, regional, and international communities by disseminating the project's results.

Exchange Overview

The exchange lasted 11 days and involved 41 participants, including 9 participants and 1 leader from each country: Poland, Italy, Romania, and Ukraine, as well as a facilitator. The schedule was rich and varied, including field activities, collaborative work at the center, study visits, and cultural evenings.

Workshops and Activities

During the outdoor workshops, participants engaged in practical activities for the natural environment and learned about the functioning of national parks and reserves. They also attended practical classes in hippotherapy, art therapy, and maintaining mental health.

Skills Development

Participants had the opportunity to learn about good practices and exchange experiences in using art as a tool to engage young people in pro-ecological activities. They improved their English language skills, learned other languages, and developed intercultural competences. They also realized creative inspirations in an international team, enhancing soft skills necessary for active participation in social and professional life. Additionally, there was ample time for participants to get to know each other, integrate, and explore the cultures of different countries and nations.

Project Partners

The project applicant was the Polish Initiative Foundation from Łężyny in the Nowy Żmigród commune. The foreign partners of the project were non-governmental organizations:

• Coda di Lupo (Italy),
• Cuzisti Implicati Organization (Romania),
• Non-governmental organization «ACTION» (Ukraine).