Active Life, Active Future: Building Healthy Lifestyles Through International Cooperation

The "Active Life, Active Future" Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project (Project No: 2023-3-AT01-KA152-YOU-000177084) was held in Klagenfurt, Austria, from 2 to 8 May 2024, hosted by FI Gesundheits- und Sportverein. Bringing together young participants from Austria, Türkiye, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Italy, the project aimed to promote active lifestyles, encourage intercultural learning, and strengthen participants' personal and social competences. Through a variety of non-formal education activities, participants improved their communication, teamwork, leadership, and intercultural skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ Programme.

The first activities focused on helping participants get to know one another and creating a welcoming atmosphere based on trust and communication. Through the "Meet and Greet Mixer" activity, participants quickly learned each other's names while taking part in interactive games that encouraged communication and collaboration. These exercises strengthened memory, active listening, and quick-thinking skills while demonstrating how non-formal learning methods can make the learning process both engaging and effective. As a result, participants established strong social connections that laid the foundation for successful international cooperation throughout the project.

Project introduction and orientation sessions provided participants with a comprehensive overview of the project's objectives, activity schedule, and expected learning outcomes. Supported by presentations, visual materials, and creative improvisation exercises, these sessions helped participants adapt confidently to the project environment. In addition, they gained valuable knowledge about the Erasmus+ Programme, its different project opportunities, and the importance of active participation in international mobility projects, increasing their motivation to become involved in future European initiatives.

Intercultural learning was further strengthened through the "Say Hello!" activity, where participants experienced greeting traditions from each participating country. By practicing different cultural expressions and communication styles, young people developed greater cultural awareness and appreciation for diversity. Interactive group activities encouraged dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect, helping participants overcome cultural barriers while building friendships and strengthening their ability to work effectively in multicultural teams.

Another important learning component of the project focused on Youthpass and the Eight Key Competences for Lifelong Learning. Through presentations, game-based learning, and interactive evaluation activities, participants explored the value of Youthpass while reflecting on their own learning journey. Regular feedback sessions and evaluation activities also encouraged critical thinking, self-assessment, constructive feedback, and analytical skills, ensuring continuous improvement throughout the project. Overall, "Active Life, Active Future" successfully combined healthy lifestyle promotion with international cooperation, equipping participants with valuable knowledge, practical competences, and intercultural experiences that will continue to benefit their personal, academic, and professional lives.