In an enchanted castle in Neumarkt in der Steiermark, 43 young people gathered from July 14th to 21st to step away from their screens and connect on a deeper level. The 67th Erasmus+ Youth Exchange, titled „Here Comes The Sun – Brighten Your Mind“, brought together participants from Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Spain, Malta, and Finland to address the growing challenges young people face today.

Disconnecting from their smartphones during a digital detox was just the beginning. The real heart of the project was creating a safe, open space where everyone could speak honestly about real life issues, from mental health struggles and future anxiety to the heavy pressure of modern society. Through interactive workshops, non-formal learning methods, and open discussions, the participants didn’t just share their struggles – they built resilience. They questioned their own biases, learned to understand completely different perspectives, and discovered positive ways to deal with uncertainty.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by world problems, the youth gathered practical tools to actively take the future into their own hands. Leaving the Europaburg wasn’t easy, but all 43 participants returned to their home countries with stronger minds, lifelong international friendships, and a boosted confidence that they have the power to shape their own lives and communities. The future can feel daunting, but when young minds come together to support one another, the sun really does start to shine a little brighter.

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Mamma Mia summer? Give me a castle in Austria, people from all over Europe, a World Cup (spanish approved), new friendships, wonderful workshops with Apfelstrudel, and I’ll cherish Erasmus forever. – Silvia 

The youth exchange was, once again, one of those settings where you start out as a group of complete strangers, spend a week living and learning together, and eventually leave as one big group with meaningful connections. The digital detox helped me to be present in the group and in our activities, to enjoy nature, and to notice all the small and big moments of being in our community. I learned to open up to others, to share my opinions and knowledge, but also to stick to my authentic self and my boundaries. So it has been a week full of learning about myself, about others, and with others. – Almut 

As someone who has always valued my independence, I was surprised to realise how much I relied on my phone for simple everyday tasks. The digital detox and workshops throughout the programme helped me develop new instincts, organise my thoughts naturally and manage the world around me without the use of technology. It was a truly liberating experience, and the absence of phones led to genuine and open conversations that I truly cherish to this day. – Ana