Erasmus Plus is a wonderful programme that has something to offer for everyone. If you have been wondering how it would feel like to be immersed in the diverse cultures of European countries but do not know how to be a part of it or want a more detailed overview, here is your chance! In this article, I will list different opportunities that the Erasmus plus programme has to offer and why you should be a part of it!

The main opportunities Erasmus+ offers are Youth exchanges, training courses, and solidarity corps aka volunteering. The programme is designed for those with fewer opportunities and therefore is for free (flight tickets will be reimbursed, accommodation and food for the entire project will be covered by the programme).

With Erasmus Plus a youth exchange doesn’t mean switching places with someone. Instead, it has a certain country where it takes place. Usually, there are around 30 people, 5 per country from 6 different countries (the number of participants and participating countries varies, depending on the organizers). A youth exchange can last from 5-21 days.

​Throughout the project, the participants live together and learn about a certain topic, for example, photography, entrepreneurship, environment, theatre, and so on. All the learning is informal and people get new skills by participating in debates, role-plays, outdoor activities, workshops, etc. 

Youth exchange is a great opportunity to get to know about other cultures, improve your language and other social skills, get out of your comfort zone in a safe environment and so much more!

Opportunities for youth workers to study include: training courses, seminars, study visits, etc. The mobility of youth workers is intended for youth workers and youth leaders who already have experience in youth work and who would like to acquire new knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the field offered by the project. In addition, people who are interested in youth work are welcome to join. They usually last between 5-10 days.

Youth exchanges are more about intercultural dialogue, whereas training courses focus more on the topic of the project and are usually more intense. In training courses, professional trainers are involved who facilitate the activities. In the case of youth exchanges, activities are carried out by participating young people.
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Training courses are usually more substantial, deal with a specific topic, and free time and trips are minimal. Youth exchanges have their theme, but it is more important to get to know other cultures, gain new experiences.

​European Solidarity corps aka voluntary service is quite different from youth exchanges and training courses. It gives youngsters an opportunity to get involved in local society. Depending on the organisation, there is a broad range of topics such as education, social integration, support for refugees, environmental protection, and so on. These projects can last between 2-12 months and the European Union provides the volunteers with accommodation, health insurance, refund of plane tickets, and monthly pocket money.

Erasmus+ is open to all young people, not just those currently enrolled in education or training. With Erasmus+, you can volunteer across Europe and beyond or participate in a youth exchange or a training course abroad.

Eligibility varies from one action to another. Youth Exchanges are open for youngsters from the age of 13-30, however with projects that have minors, there has to be at least 1 group leader, who is 18+ (no upper age limit), so if you are above 30 and wish to participate in a youth exchange, you can take the role of a group leader. 

For training courses (mobility of youth workers) the age limit is 18+ and it is mainly for youth workers, teachers, or people who have a lot of contact with youngsters (volunteering at NGOs e.g).

European Solidarity Corps (volunteering) is meant for people between 18-30, everybody who is from an EU member state or Erasmus Plus partner country (or residents there) can participate in all of the programmes mentioned above.

More information about European Solidarity Corps here.

​​Bees- small yet very powerful insects, who play an enormous role in our ecosystem. This is one of the reasons why we are celebrating World Bee Day every year on the 20th of May!

What’s more? The World Bee day focuses on protecting the bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.

So how exactly are bees beneficial to our everyday lives, one may wonder?

There are around 20.000 different bee species in the world, but one of the main ones is the honeybee. It is estimated that at least one third of the food we consume every day is pollinated by bees, which is crazy- the kind of impact one small insect can have on the whole population of the world. That is just the tip of the iceberg of why bees are so vital in our ecosystem and lives!

Besides farm-grown fruits and vegetables many species of wild plants depend on insect pollinators as well. Bees are responsible for the production of many seeds, nuts, berries, and fruit, which serve as a vital food source for wild animals.

Bees themselves are also a part of the food chain. At least 24 species of bird, including the blackbird, ruby-throated hummingbird, and starling, prey on bees. Many spiders and insects, like dragonflies and praying mantises, eat bees as well.

In addition to pollinating 30% of our food on the table, they support the growth of trees, flowers, and other plants, which serve as food and shelter for all kinds of living creatures. Their role as pollinators is vital in the growth of tropical forests, savannah woodlands, and temperate deciduous forests. Many tree species, like willows and poplars, couldn’t grow without pollinators like bees.

Thanks to bees’ existence, they contribute to complex, interconnected ecosystems that allow a diverse number of different species to coexist.

Even your own garden serves as a home for hundreds of tiny creatures, from birds and squirrels to thousands of tiny insects. If bees disappeared, the animals that depend on these plants for survival would vanish as well

To say the least, bees are definitely irreplaceable in the world. Without them, our gardens would be bare and our plates empty. This all sums up as to why we have to protect the bees and offer them a place to be and coexist with us, so that we could exist.