Energize Your Body, Optimize Your Life: Promoting Healthy Living Through International Youth Work

The "Energize Your Body, Optimize Your Life" Erasmus+ Mobility of Youth Workers project was held in Klagenfurt, Austria, from 7 to 14 September 2025, hosted by FI Gesundheits- und Sportverein. The project brought together youth workers from Türkiye, Poland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, and Austria to exchange good practices on healthy living, physical activity, sports, and well-being while strengthening international cooperation. Through interactive workshops, practical activities, intercultural exchange, and non-formal learning methods, participants enhanced both their professional competences and personal development in creating healthier lifestyles for young people and their communities.

One of the core components of the programme focused on creative thinking, teamwork, and collaborative problem-solving through an engaging brainstorming challenge. Working in international groups, participants generated innovative solutions to real-life workplace and youth work scenarios within a limited time, encouraging quick thinking and effective communication. The activity promoted active participation, strengthened cooperation among participants, and demonstrated how game-based learning can increase motivation while fostering creativity, leadership, and the ability to approach challenges from multiple perspectives.

The project also explored the relationship between nutrition, sports performance, and overall well-being. Interactive presentations and discussions provided participants with evidence-based information about dietary supplements, their appropriate use, potential risks, and their role in supporting a healthy lifestyle. In addition, practical sessions highlighted the importance of proper hydration before, during, and after physical activity. A creative workshop in which participants designed reusable water bottles using environmentally friendly materials combined health education with sustainability awareness, reinforcing both healthy habits and environmental responsibility through experiential learning.

Another important part of the programme focused on encouraging regular physical activity through practical exercise sessions and digital engagement. Participants learned simple stretching, posture, breathing, and strengthening exercises that can easily be incorporated into daily life and youth work activities. Working in teams, they created short exercise videos and social media content to promote active lifestyles, demonstrating how digital tools can support awareness campaigns and inspire wider community participation. These collaborative activities strengthened communication, teamwork, creativity, and digital content creation skills while encouraging participants to become ambassadors of healthy living.

Throughout the mobility, reflection and evaluation activities enabled participants to assess their learning outcomes, share constructive feedback, and identify opportunities for future improvement. A colour-card evaluation method encouraged meaningful reflection on achievements, challenges, and recommendations, contributing to the continuous improvement of youth work practices. The intercultural evening further enriched the learning experience by allowing participants to present their national traditions, music, food, and cultural heritage, fostering mutual respect, intercultural dialogue, and lasting international friendships. Overall, "Energize Your Body, Optimize Your Life" successfully strengthened the competences of youth workers while promoting healthy lifestyles, active participation, and international cooperation through the Erasmus+ Programme.