Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project

“Make Gender Equality a Value, Not a Priority”

27 May 2026 – 07 June 2026

Pervolia, Larnaca, Cyprus

This youth exchange aimed to support young people in exploring gender equality through non-formal education. Through workshops, discussions, simulations and reflection activities, participants reflected on social norms, stereotypes, power relations and inclusion, while developing respect, empathy, cooperation and active citizenship.

The project also included meetings with organisations and stakeholders working in the field of gender equality and human rights.

Participant impressions

From May 27 to June 7, 2026, I had the opportunity to participate in a youth exchange program organized by the European Union and the Erasmus+ organization.

The program titled “Make gender equality a value, not a priority” took place in Pervolia, Cyprus and hosted 40 young people from 7 different countries (Greece, Cyprus, Romania, France, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania). The purpose of the program was to promote gender equality and exchange views between young people with different cultures and backgrounds.

On the first day, the workshops that the organizers had created were mainly aimed at getting the participants to know each other and through very creative games they succeeded in creating from the beginning a warm and pleasant atmosphere on which we relied in the following days to be able to collaborate and discuss with each other. In the following days, the workshops were many and interesting and succeeded in making us want to actively participate and carry them out.

In particular, there was a great variety in the workshops and they succeeded in piquing our interest and motivating us to discuss and try to find solutions to the problems they posed to us. In the following days, each country was assigned to create its own workshop, which we would present in front of everyone and we would take the place of facilitators, organizing and managing the other participants.

My team, on the day we had to present the Greek workshop, organized a game where the participants were divided into groups and had to, through interactive games such as pantomime and painting, describe some concepts related to the theme of the program, namely gender equality, and their team had to guess them. In general, the activities and workshops organized by the other countries, but especially by the organizing country, Cyprus, were very interactive and focused on the theme of the program.

At the same time, the hospitality of the Cypriot team and the location of the program were excellent, as were each of its members individually, who with their disposition and care succeeded in creating an unforgettable experience for all of us. In conclusion, the whole experience was unique and I was particularly surprised by how I revised some of the perceptions I had and how many new things I learned.

This ten-day program was an incredible experience that offered me new knowledge, friendships and memories that will last forever and I am sure that if I have the opportunity to participate in a similar program there again, I will be very happy to accept.

Marios Karydis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From May 27 to June 7, I was given the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ program in the Pervolia region of Cyprus. The theme of the program was gender equality and human rights, with a strong emphasis on respect for all people.

The truth is that, before arriving in Cyprus, I had the impression that I already knew everything about these issues and did not believe that I could really learn anything new. During the program, however, I was surprised, as I learned many new things that I did not know until then.

A total of about 40 people from 7 different countries participated in the program. Each had the opportunity to share their own experience regarding the opportunities they have as an individual, but also the way men and women are treated in the society of their country.

Through the daily workshops we were able to express our personal views on specific issues and think about ways to improve them, such as working conditions and addressing gender stereotypes, which mainly appear in the professional sector.

One of the most vivid memories I have is a seminar we attended by a Cypriot author, who had written a book on gender inequality in the workplace. We discussed interesting ideas and practical solutions on how this situation can be changed and how employers can be encouraged to change their attitude.

The most interesting, however, of all the activities was that each country had to prepare in advance a workshop related to the topic of the program and had 90 minutes to present it to the other countries.

The Greek team chose to start with a ten-minute energizer and then, after everyone had gathered, we moved on to the main part of the presentation. We decided to create an interactive game so that everyone would actively participate and not get bored, thus avoiding a simple slide presentation.

The game was as follows: we selected 30 words related to the theme of the program and divided the participants into five teams. The goal was for the team that would find the most words to win. One player from each team would come each time, see the word and had to describe it either in words or with pantomime, so that their teammates could guess it.

Everyone really liked the game and, through it, the participants managed to learn basic concepts about human rights and gender equality in a pleasant and entertaining way.

Of course, the program was not only focused on educational activities. We had plenty of free time to have fun, dance, swim and relax. Almost every night there were cultural nights, where each country briefly presented information about its culture. We tried traditional food and drinks, learned dances, and then continued the party until late at night at the event venue.

In addition, almost every afternoon we went to the beach to play volleyball, sunbathe, and enjoy swimming in the sea.

Finally, the organizers took us on two excursions so that we could get to know other parts of Cyprus. We visited Larnaca and Ayia Napa, and both excursions were really wonderful.

Overall, I have participated in other Erasmus+ programs, but this was by far the best. The food, the location, the activities, the people, the facilitators – everything was really excellent.

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be there. It was a unique experience, I met wonderful people with whom I will definitely keep in touch and I would love to participate in a similar program again.

Finally, I would like to thank the Greek organization Praxis, which gave me the opportunity to participate in the program, as well as the Cypriot organization for the impeccable organization and the unique experience it gave us.

Dimitris Milissis