There are some initiatives out there I wish everyone knew about. Consider this a work in progress, as I will add links whenever I come across these hidden gems.

🔷 Erasmus+ trainings As part of the European Commission's Training Strategy, many different training and contact-making activities are organised for youth workers and youth leaders throughout the year. Over the years, I have participated in several trainings following non-formal training methods across the EU and its neighbouring countries. These trainings are fully funded and allow you to dive into a variety of topics and meet people from across the continent.

This calendar gives an overview of the training opportunities out there.

🔷 Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

“This program helps provide aspiring European entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to start and/or successfully run a small business in Europe. New entrepreneurs gather and exchange knowledge and business ideas with an experienced entrepreneur, with whom they stay and collaborate for a period of 1 to 6 months. The stay is partly financed by the European Commission.”

For me, it proved a useful opportunity to work in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina for some months with a local entrepreneur and his team. Not only did I gain new ideas for my own business through this exchange, it was so insightful to work in a different cultural context again.

🔷 Volunteering opportunities

Do you want to give back to your community but finding it hard to find the time to commit to a cause every week? I might have the answer for you if you live in Den Haag, Rotterdam, Amsterdam or Utrecht in The Netherlands: Stichting NL Cares.

Some years ago I discovered their calendar with short-term volunteer activities for the first time. After helping out at a local petting zoo and packing boxes for the food bank, the third initiative I signed up for was a match made in heaven and I have been working with the children at the community center ever since.

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