This partnership building activity brought together youth workers and representatives of youth organisations from Croatia, North Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Bulgaria, Serbia, Luxembourg and Türkiye in order to strengthen cooperation, develop new partnerships and build capacities related to youth empowerement, Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) projects.
The main focus of the PBA was on engaging and empowering young people, particularly by motivating them to volunteer in their local communities and to become active citizens. The activity also aimed to encourage greater participation in international opportunities. Over the course of six intensive and dunamic days, participants were able to share best practices, learn from one another and build long-term partnerships.
A core component was the development of concrete project ideas. Each participant joined a team of their choice to work on the design of a future project such as a youth exchange, training course, KA2 cooperation partnership, volunteering project or other Erasmus+ or ESC initiatives. Participants presented their ideas during dedicated sessions, followed by feedback and discussion. Several new partnerships emerged with concrete plans for future project applications.
Participants also took a field trip to the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Digital Transformation Center where they gained insight into how youth centres operate and contribute to the local community. Participants were introduced to digital innovation spaces and learned about opportunities offered to young people, including training programme and technology initiatives. It was interesting to see the role of local institutions in supporting youth development, digital skills and innovation.
Beyond the structured programme, informal activities played an important role in building relationships and group cohesion. Participants experienced the local culture, hospitality, and cuisine of Türkiye. The setting of Side, with its rich history, Mediterranean atmosphere, and welcoming environment, further supported networking and exchange among participants.
