Young people from Türkiye, Poland, and Greece came together in Łódź, Poland, for the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange “Mental Health Matters: Youth for Empathy & Change,” held from 13 to 25 June 2026.
Project Number: 2025-1-PL01-KA151-YOU-000298894
Location: Łódź, Poland
Dates: 13–25 June 2026
Programme: Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
Coordinator: EDU4YOU Foundation, Poland
Turkish Partner: Tokat Economic Development and Vocational Training Association (TEKMED)
The project brought together 30 participants, with 10 participants representing each partner organisation from Türkiye, Poland, and Greece.
The main aim of the youth exchange was to raise awareness about mental health and depression, while empowering young people to recognise, prevent, and respond to hate speech, particularly in online environments.
Throughout the project, participants took part in a wide range of non-formal learning activities, including international group work, workshops, discussions, role-playing activities, intercultural learning sessions, and awareness-raising activities.
A strong emphasis was placed on empathy, emotional well-being, tolerance, inclusion, non-violent communication, and coping with stress. Participants also explored the impact of online hate speech and cyberbullying on young people’s mental health and discussed how individuals and communities can respond more effectively.
Learning Together Across Cultures
One of the most valuable aspects of the project was the opportunity for young people from three different countries to learn from one another.
Through intercultural activities and teamwork, participants shared their experiences, discovered different cultures, challenged stereotypes, improved their English communication skills, and developed new international friendships.
The exchange demonstrated how Erasmus+ can create a safe and inclusive environment where young people can openly discuss important social issues while developing their personal and social competences.
From Learning to Action
Participants did not only discuss the challenges facing young people; they also worked together to create solutions.
International teams developed awareness materials focusing on mental health, depression, empathy, online hate speech, and solidarity. Videos, social media content, digital posters, and campaign messages were created to help bring the project’s message to a wider audience.
The project encouraged young people to become active participants in their communities and to use digital media as a positive tool for awareness and social change.
For Tokat Economic Development and Vocational Training Association (TEKMED), participation in Mental Health Matters was another important step towards supporting young people’s international mobility, intercultural learning, active citizenship, and personal development through the Erasmus+ Programme.