🇮🇹 YE "Adventure OutDoor!" / 15-23.09.2026 - Furnari (ME), Sicily, Italy / 2025-3-IT03-KA152-YOU-000368393 🌿
- Be The Change Italy
- 7 hours ago
- 12 min read
🌋 YE "Adventure OutDoor!" (AOD)
📆 15.09 - 23.09.2026
📍 Furnari (ME), Sicily, Italy 🇮🇹
🔎 Main Objectives:
🌲 Reconnect Generation Z with nature to combat digital addiction, excessive screen time (doomscrolling, FOMO), and sedentary lifestyles.
🧘 Promote physical and mental wellbeing through non-formal Outdoor Education, including hiking, beach activities, cooperative sports, yoga, and mindfulness.
🧭 Develop transversal soft skills (resilience, adaptability, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving) through practical survival challenges and cooperative outdoor tasks.
🤝 Foster social inclusion and intercultural dialogue among young people from 5 European countries, creating a safe, non-judgmental space in a natural environment.
♻️ Raise environmental awareness and promote eco-sustainable habits (such as beach clean-ups, sustainable mobility, and waste reduction) as part of active European citizenship.
🛠️ Co-create tangible educational outputs, including the "Outdoor Wellbeing" Toolkit, podcast episodes, video testimonials, and local action plans.
🇪🇺 Partner Countries & Practical Details
Participating Countries: Italy 🇮🇹 | Poland 🇵🇱 | Greece 🇬🇷 | Spain 🇪🇸 | Romania 🇷🇴
👥 Participants: 6 Youngsters 18-25 years old + 1 Group Leader 18+
(Priority is given to 3 young participants per team with fewer opportunities)
✈️ Travel Reimbursement: Maximum budget per person: IT: 25€ | GR, PL, RO, ES: 309€
💶 Food & Accommodation: 100% covered by the Erasmus+ Programme
📧 Deadline for Selection: 20.08.2026
ℹ️ Application Form: https://bit.ly/455jKt6
🌍 Partners
🇮🇹 Be The Change
Instagram: http://instagram.com/bethechange_it/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeTheChangeNGO
🇵🇱 TA - Stowarzyszenie Warte Uwagi / Association Worth Attention
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warteuwagi.ngo/
🇬🇷 Youth in Action
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthinaction_gr/
🇪🇸 Associació Intercultural ACCIÓ 85
Instagram:
🇷🇴 Asociaţia Clădim Destine
Instagram:
📩 Please note that only selected participants will receive official communication regarding their selection for the youth exchange. 🌟 Each Partner organisation may use as well another form for the selection and apply their organisational policies 👁️ Keep an eye on your inbox for this exciting news about joining us on this adventure in Italy! 🇮🇹
Follow us - Before Applying
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ℹ️ "Adventure OutDoor!" Project Information Pack
Welcome to the "Adventure OutDoor!" (AOD) Youth Exchange! 🌿🏔️ This comprehensive guide is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about your upcoming Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Furnari (Messina), Sicily, Italy.
Here, you’ll find all essential details, including the project overview, co-facilitation framework established during our APV, working methods, participant profile, venue and travel arrangements, reimbursement guidelines, project preparation, packing list, health & travel insurance, and contact information.
Table of Contents 📖
🌍 Project Overview & APV Outcomes
"Adventure OutDoor!" aims to reconnect young people with nature, offering a concrete and healthy alternative to excessive digitalization, sedentary habits, and virtual overload 🌿📵.
🤝 Built on Co-Ownership: The Advance Planning Visit (APV)
To ensure the Youth Exchange is truly tailored to the needs of all participants, an Advance Planning Visit (APV) was successfully implemented on 23-26 June 2026 in Furnari, Sicily. During this meeting, Group Leaders and project coordinators from Italy, Spain, Greece, Poland, and Romania came together to:
🔍 Inspect and validate the outdoor venues, camping facilities ⛺, and safety/risk management protocols 🛡️ for all excursions (Mount Etna 🌋, Alcantara Gorges 🏞️, and beach activities 🏖️).
🤝 Finalize an Inclusion Action Plan to ensure young people facing fewer opportunities are actively supported through peer-to-peer mentoring 👥 and accessible non-formal activities ✨.
🎯 Divide facilitation responsibilities among all national teams 🌍, transforming the Youth Exchange into a collaborative, peer-led learning experience 💡 where every country plays an active role.
🎯 Shared Responsibilities & Co-Facilitation Roles
As agreed during the APV, each national team will take ownership of specific program components. Group Leaders and participants are expected to arrive prepared to lead and support their assigned sessions:
Team | Assigned Workshop & Theme | Extra Responsibilities |
🇮🇹 | Welcome & Icebreakers (Day 1) Digital Overload & Doomscrolling Pt. 1 & 2 (Day 2) Mt. Etna & Alcantara Gorges Excursion (Day 6) | Overall coordination & logistics Kickoff evening & Italian Welcome Night |
🇷🇴 | Team Building & Group Agreement (Day 1) Group Outdoor Challenges (Day 3) | Co-hosting Romanian & Greek Intercultural Night |
🇵🇱 | Exploring Our Relationship with Nature (Day 1) River of Learning & Echo Circle (Day 7) | Co-hosting Spanish & Polish Intercultural Night |
🇪🇸 | Media & Storytelling Outdoors (Day 4) Outdoor Sports & Fitness (Day 4) | Co-hosting Spanish & Polish Intercultural Night |
🇬🇷 | Mental Strength & Overcoming Fear Pt. 1 & 2 (Day 5) Media Creation & Dissemination (Day 7) | Co-hosting Romanian & Greek Intercultural Night |
💡 Collaborative Spirit: While each country has a lead role for specific workshops, all teams will collaborate actively during plenary sessions, the Marketplace on Outdoor Culture, the co-creation of the "AOD Toolkit", and the design of Local Action Plans for follow-up activities.
💡 Working Methods
Our Youth Exchange is designed around non-formal and informal education techniques, experiential learning, and a strong "learning-by-doing" approach outdoors 🎓✨:
📵 "Escape the Digital Cage" & Digital Detox Challenges - Engage in simulations, Gallery Walks, and group challenges designed to analyze doomscrolling and practically replace screen time with authentic outdoor experiences.
🧗 Outdoor Education & Survival Challenges - Participate in cooperative obstacle courses, orienteering missions, blindfold trails, and practical survival workshops that build trust, teamwork, and leadership skills.
🌿 Mindfulness, Yoga & Nature Immersion - Experience daily outdoor movement, yoga, and breathing technique sessions in natural coastal and volcanic settings to reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing.
📸 Media Creation & Digital Storytelling - Work in multicultural teams to co-create the "Outdoor Wellbeing" Toolkit, record podcast episodes, produce video testimonials, and maintain a shared digital reflection diary.
🌋 On-Site Adventure Excursions - Take part in a guided trekking excursion on Mount Etna (joined by 15 local youth from Messina for community exchange) and explore the stunning Alcantara Gorges.*The destination of this excursion may change according to participants' needs and weather conditions
🌍 Intercultural Evenings & Marketplace - Celebrate cultural diversity during self-organized cultural nights sharing traditional dances, games, myths of nature, and cuisine (Italian Night; Polish & Spanish Night; Romanian & Greek Night), as well as a Marketplace on Outdoor Culture.
🧠 Daily Reflection & Youthpass Mapping - Reflect daily using non-formal methods such as "Talking Stick", "Radio Reflection", "Postcard from Nature", "River of Learning", and the "Hiking delle Competenze"
👥 Participant Profile
🌍 International Group: 36 people in total from Italy, Spain, Greece, Poland, and Romania.
👥 Group Composition per Country: Each national team consists of 6 Young Participants (aged 18-25) + 1 Group Leader (aged 18+, experienced in youth work and facilitation). The Italian team also includes 1 Facilitator.
🤝 Inclusive Mix: At least 3 young participants per national team (50% of the youth group, 15 in total) should be individuals facing fewer opportunities (geographical, economic, social, or cultural barriers, or NEETs).
🎯 Motivation & Profile: Young people motivated to explore outdoor activities, reflect on digital habits, improve their mental/physical wellbeing, and engage in multicultural teamwork.
🗣️ Language: The working language is English - perfect fluency is not required, but participants must be able to communicate, share ideas, and collaborate within an international group.
📢 Commitment: Full attendance at all sessions, outdoor excursions, intercultural evenings, daily reflection groups, and mandatory participation in follow-up and dissemination activities in your local community after returning home.
🏖️ The Location & Travel Arrangements
🏨 Accommodation
The project's venue is Tindari Village Camping (https://www.tindarivillage.com/), located in the charming village of Bazia/Furnari on the north coast of Messina 🌊🌞.
Rooms & Capacity:The rooms are designed to host around 3-4 people (mixed by nationality and divided by sex), depending on venue availability. 🛏️🌍
Meals & Refreshments: 3 meals a day, Italian breakfast, lunch, and dinner 🍽️, along with coffee breaks ☕, all provided on-site.
Meals will follow the traditional Italian way of eating:
First course (primo): often pasta with different sauces.
Second course (secondo): either vegetarian or meat-based.
Some evenings will feature pizza dinners or typical Sicilian street food.
Please note: if a participant has no flexibility to adapt to this culinary style, it is better to skip this opportunity and consider a project in a country with a food culture more similar to their own.
Kitchen Facilities: Each apartment features an equipped kitchen in the balconies, perfect for preparing your own snacks or meals during intercultural evenings. 🍳🥗
Amenities Provided: At Tindari Village, you will be provided with blankets and towels 🛌. Please note that personal care items such as a hair dryer, soap, shower gel, and shampoo are not supplied 🚫🧴.
Laundry Facilities: For those traveling light, there is a coin-operated washing machine available on-site (4€ per coin). If you choose to travel with just a backpack 🎒, we will cover the cost of one coin to help you wash your clothes.
Convenience: The accommodation is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from the nearest supermarket 🛒, perfect for picking up any additional essentials you might need.
📍 How to reach the venue
🗺️ Project Location / Destination (Tindari Village Camping):
OPTION 1 - Travel from Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa
From the CT Airport to Messina (Train/Bus): Upon landing at Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa, take a train or bus to Messina Central Station. You can check the schedule at https://www.trenitalia.com/ (Train) or https://www.saisautolinee.it/ (Bus). *The airport train station is about 600 metres from the Catania airport terminal. The shuttle is free and runs every 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can also reach the station on foot, following the pedestrian path. Otherwise, the bus station is outside the arrivals.
From Messina Centrale to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari (Train): From Messina Central Station, board a train to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari Station. (Check schedules at www.trenitalia.com.) *The last train to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari Station is at 21.00.
Pickup from Train Station to Tindari Village (Car): Once you arrive at Novara-Montalbano-Furnari Station, we are gonna pick you up by car asap. (It's crucial you communicate your travel information to the Project Coordinator in order we can arrange a smooth logistics experience.
*Check-in at Tindari Village is scheduled after 3:00 PM. For instance, if you catch a train that departs from Messina Centrale around 2:37 PM and arrives at Novara-Montalbano-Furnari around 3:45 PM, you will be perfectly timed. If you arrive earlier, please plan to wait for the scheduled pickup by the city or you may reach the venue by walking, but it's around 3KM.
OPTION 2 - Travel from Palermo Aeroporto / Punta Raisi Station
From the Airport Punta Raisi Train Station to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari (Train): Upon landing at Palermo Aeroporto, proceed to the nearby Punta Raisi Station. This station is conveniently located adjacent to the arrivals area. Board a train from Punta Raisi Station to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari Station. It will be not a direct train and most likely it will involves 2 changes (The first one at Termini Imerese and the second one at Patti-S. Piero Patti). (Check schedules at www.trenitalia.com.) *The last train from Airport to Novara-Montalbano-Furnari Station is at 17.40.
Pickup from Train Station to Tindari Village (Car): (See above)
⚠️ IMPORTANT ‼️
✈️ OPTION 1 (ARRIVAL FROM CATANIA): When you plan your flights, consider your arrival flight must arrive at Catania Airport by MAX 6.00 PM ⏳ (We suggest earlier), while the return flight must depart from Catania no earlier than 11.30 AM ⏰ (We suggest later).
🚆 The last train from Messina Centrale to Novara-Montalbano Furnari is at 21.00
🚆 The first train from Novara-Montalbano Furnari to Messina Centrale is at 5.13 AM
✈️ OPTION 2 (ARRIVAL FROM PALERMO): When you plan your flights, consider your arrival flight must arrive at Palermo Airport by MAX 4.00 PM ⏳ (We suggest earlier), while the return flight must depart from Palermo no earlier than 12.00 PM ⏰ (We suggest later).
🚆 The last train from Palermo Centrale to Novara-Montalbano Furnari is at 18.33
🚆 The first train from Novara-Montalbano Furnari to Palermo is at 6.34 AM
🕒 This scheduling provides sufficient time to travel from the hotel to the airport using public transportation. We will collect all your arrival and departure info in advance and prepare the best pick-up plan 🚖 that fits the group.
💡 If you want to stay longer in Sicily, you can travel for a maximum of 2 days before and 2 days after the project. In this case, you need to cover your accommodation and expenses.
📌 This applies if there are no easier, safer, and cheaper options to reach the venue.
🛬 You can also travel from other airports like Reggio Calabria or arrive 1-2 days before directly from Catania Centrale or Palermo Centrale 🚆. The information is the same, and the travel plan has to be arranged according to the train schedule.
⚠️ YOUR TRAVEL PLAN MUST BE AGREED UPON WITH THE HOSTING ORGANIZATION 🏠, OTHERWISE, THE REFUND WILL NOT BE ADMISSIBLE ❌
💰 YOU HAVE TO PICK THE MOST ECONOMIC WAY TO REACH THE PROJECT LOCATION.
🚇 Please note that only public transport is subject to reimbursement. If you travel by airplane ✈️, only economy class is covered. Taxi 🚕 is NOT covered.
⛔ YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO LEAVE THE PROJECT ONE DAY EARLY TO CATCH YOUR FLIGHT OR BUS.
📅 BUY YOUR TICKETS ACCORDING TO THE PROJECT'S DATE.
💰Reimbursement & Travel Guidelines
What are the dates and what does the reimbursement cover?
The arrival date is the 15th of September 2026
The departure date is the 23th of September 2026
If you want to stay more in Sicily you can travel for a maximum of 2 days before and 2 after the project, in this case, you need to cover your accommodation and expenses*
*This applies if there are no easier, safer and cheaper options to reach the venue.
⚠️ IMPORTANT ‼️
📌 You need to collect and keep all your physical and digital 🎟️ tickets. You will receive the reimbursement 💰 for all the routes related to reaching the venue of the project and going back home 🏠 (not for tourist purposes 🏖️).
Having proof of travel (boarding passes 🛫, tickets 🎫, etc.), and of cost (invoices 🧾 and receipts 📄) is a requirement to get the reimbursement according to Erasmus+ rules.
⏳ The reimbursement process usually takes 60 days after the end of the project but depends on participants or national agency duties.
📢 Another requirement for reimbursement is to take part actively in the DISSEMINATION of the results 📢 and the FOLLOW-UP activities.
❌ TRAVEL AGENCY AND OTHER EXTRA AMENITY COSTS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED ACCORDING TO ERASMUS+ RULES. ❌
🧳 PLEASE AVOID LARGE LUGGAGE, SUCH AS BIG CHECKED BAGS. They can complicate your trip by causing delays, missed connections , and difficulties during pickups 🚖 at the train station. We are confident that the priority luggage and small item on board 🎒 will be sufficient for the duration of the project.
🙏 WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION IN ENSURING A SMOOTH AND EFFICIENT TRIP. 🚀🌍
📝 Budget and Documentation 💶
Country | Travel Budget* (max/person) |
Italy 🇮🇹 | 25€ |
Greece 🇬🇷 | 309€ |
Poland 🇵🇱 | 309€ |
Romania 🇷🇴 | 309€ |
Spain 🇪🇸 | 309€ |
The cost given is a limit in total PER PERSON, for both ways.
TRAVEL WILL BE REIMBURSED ACCORDING TO THE REAL COST YOU SPENT, up to the amount given above per country (See the table above), but not more than that (which means that if you spend less, you will be reimbursed the money you spent or if you spend more, you will get up to limit)
EVERYTHING THAT WILL BE MORE THAN THE LIMIT WILL BE YOUR OWN COST.
🚗 Extra Cost*
In the calculation of the total trip cost, you should foresee 15€ which will cover, the organisation of the pick up from/to the train station. This extra cost (part of the journey) will sum to the total you already spent for the rest of the transportation tickets.
✨ Good Reasons to Travel Light
Quick and Efficient: Avoid the wait for baggage check-ins and collections, helping you catch flights and trains on time. 🛄⏱️
Easy Movement: Navigate new cities with ease and less baggage to carry. 🚶♂️🚶♀️🧳
Minimize Loss Risk: Keep all belongings with you, reducing the chance of losing them during transit. 🔒🎒
Budget and Eco-friendly: Lighter travel often aligns with more sustainable and cost-effective transport options like budget airlines. 💚💰✈️
🎫 Where to buy the tickets?
You can check the following links for cheap flights:
WIZZ AIR: https://wizzair.com
Ryanair: https://www.ryanair.com
Easy Jet: https://www.easyjet.com
You can use Flight Search Engines as https://www.skyscanner.net/ to find your route, but we highly suggest finally booking your tickets directly from the Airline Company to not have intermediaries.
🛠️ Project Preparation
Based on the task division agreed during our APV, please ensure your national team prepares the following before arrival:
🎯 Workshop Facilitation Preparation:
Group Leaders and assigned participants should prepare the materials, interactive exercises, and flow for their assigned thematic workshop (See the above section)
🌍 Intercultural Evenings
Share Your Culture: 🍲 Bring along some traditional snacks, drinks 🍹, and music 🎶 to share during our relaxed, self-organized cultural nights.
Keep it Interactive: 🎲 Instead of formal presentations, think about an interactive outdoor game, traditional dance, or short nature legend/story to share that brings your culture to life in a fun, informal way! 🌟
⚡ Activities & Energizers
Keep the Energy High! 🏃♂️💃 We’d love for each national team to prepare a few short morning or afternoon energizers. These quick, engaging activities are essential to break the ice and keep our focus sharp before diving into our sessions!
🌿 Topic & Outdoor Culture Preparation
Marketplace on Outdoor Culture: Work with your national team to prepare a small interactive presentation/stand showing how outdoor activities, sports, and nature traditions are promoted in your country.
Digital Detox Reflection: Reflect on your daily smartphone/social media habits and bring real examples of challenges young people face with screen overload in your community to feed into the "Outdoor Wellbeing" Toolkit.
📩 Please note: More detailed instructions, including specific preparation tasks and access to our shared online workspace, will be provided directly to the selected participants once the selection process is completed.
🎒 What to Bring?
🛂 ID / Passport (valid for travel) & European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
👕👖 Comfortable Sportswear & Outdoor Clothes: Breathable t-shirts, sports trousers, shorts, and layers for evening activities.
🥾 Sturdy Trekking / Hiking Shoes (MANDATORY): Essential for our full-day excursion on Mount Etna and trekking in the Alcantara Gorges! *This apply if the excursion destination is confirmed before the project.
🏖️ Beach & Water Gear: Swimsuit, flip-flops, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a personal beach towel (hotel towels cannot be taken outside or to the beach).
🧴 Personal Toiletries: Shampoo, shower gel, soap, toothpaste, medicines 💊, and a small personal hairdryer.
💻📷 Multimedia Equipment: If possible, bring a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or digital camera for our media storytelling, podcast recording, and toolkit co-creation workshops.
🍽️🍾 Intercultural Treats: Traditional food, snacks, or beverages to share with the group.
😊 A Positive & Adventurous Attitude!
🏥 Health & Travel Insurance 🏥
🛡️ Ensure you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or comprehensive private travel insurance covering medical care for the entire duration of the Youth Exchange, including travel days.
🍏💊 Health Alerts: Please inform the Project Coordinator and your Group Leader in advance of any medical conditions, allergies, required medications, or dietary requirements.
📞 Contact Information
Project Coordinator: 🌟 Emanuel Caristi
Phone: 📱 +393894768663 (Also on WhatsApp)
Should you need any assistance, our project coordinator is just a message away.
🖨️ Remember to save this Info Pack as a PDF! Hit the print button or save a digital copy on your phone for easy reference throughout your journey. We look forward to welcoming you to Sicily for an unforgettable outdoor adventure! 🌿🌋🇮🇹
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