The Sea Needs You: Strengthening Youth Work Through International Learning and Collaboration

The Sea Needs You (Project No. 2024-3-TR01-KA153-YOU-000283365) was an Erasmus+ Mobility of Youth Workers project organized by Taşköprü Yerel Eylem Grubu Derneği and hosted by IF Association in Kastamonu, Türkiye, from 10–17 May 2025. The project brought together youth workers from Italy, Azerbaijan, Ireland, Spain, and Türkiye, creating a dynamic international learning environment where participants exchanged experiences, explored innovative non-formal education methods, and strengthened their professional competences while promoting environmental awareness and intercultural cooperation.

Throughout the mobility, participants developed strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills through a variety of interactive non-formal learning activities. Icebreakers, team challenges, and orientation exercises encouraged participants to build trust, work effectively in multicultural teams, and improve their observation, decision-making, and critical thinking abilities. These engaging methods demonstrated how game-based learning can create meaningful educational experiences while fostering active participation and mutual understanding.

A major focus of the project was increasing participants' knowledge of the Erasmus+ Programme and the Youthpass framework. Through collaborative discussions, peer learning, and experience-sharing sessions, participants explored the objectives and priorities of Erasmus+, reflected on the eight Youthpass Key Competences, and identified the skills they could further develop during and after the mobility. By learning from one another's experiences, they gained greater confidence to participate in future international projects and to encourage young people in their local communities to engage in Erasmus+ opportunities.

Intercultural dialogue played a central role in the learning process. Through cultural presentations, traditional music, storytelling, and gastronomy, participants discovered the richness of different national traditions while sharing their own cultural identities. These exchanges promoted mutual respect, openness, and appreciation for diversity, strengthening intercultural communication skills and demonstrating how cultural learning contributes to stronger international partnerships and more inclusive youth work practices.

Overall, The Sea Needs You equipped youth workers with practical non-formal education methods, innovative facilitation techniques, and valuable intercultural experiences that can be transferred to future youth projects and local initiatives. By combining collaborative learning, reflection, cultural exchange, and experiential education, the project enhanced participants' leadership, adaptability, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. Beyond the knowledge gained during the mobility, participants returned home with stronger international networks, renewed motivation, and new educational tools to create positive change within their communities while contributing to a more sustainable and connected Europe.