My First Step into Erasmus+: Diving into Democracy in Romania

7 December 2025 imece network Leave a comment

I’m Aylin, and I’m excited to share my first Erasmus+ experience!

Between November 28 and December 7, I participated in the “Discovering Democracy and Civic Engagement (DIVE in)” youth exchange project in Horezu, Romania. We came together with amazing teams from Türkiye, Greece, Hungary, and Romania.

The project brought together young people from different backgrounds to dive deep into the concepts of democracy and civic engagement. We learned how to be active citizens and how to ”dive in” to solve problems in our society.

Throughout the week, we made various interactive workshops, we discussed critical topics such as inclusion, equity, and media literacy. We shared ideas about how to make a difference in our communities. These activities allowed us to simulate real-world decision-making processes, strengthened our understanding of digital citizenship and showed us how we can work together effectively.

Beyond the activity room, we also explored the culture of the region! We visited the Horezu Town Hall, saw how the famous UNESCO-listed Horezu ceramics are made and visited a beautiful monastery. Also, we took a trip to the city of Craiova and even organized our own expedition to explore the capital, Bucharest.

In addition, being in Romania during their National Day (1st December) added a magical atmosphere to our experience. The Intercultural Nights further deepened our bonds as we shared our food, music, and traditions. It was also an amazing way to learn about different cultures and have fun together.

Looking back, this project was much more than just gaining a better understanding of democracy. It was a great chance to build connections with people from different cultures. The friends we made and the memories we shared made this experience unforgettable. I believe these kinds of projects are essential for young people to grow. I’m returning home with a wider perspective and feeling more connected to the global community.

Special thanks to my incredible team for this journey: Ayşegül, Hacire, Pınar, Zeynep, Musa, Tunahan, Doğukan and Kürşat. You guys are the best!

Finally, I have to admit the funniest part of our routine was one famous sentence: PUT IT ON PADLET. After every single activity we uploaded our results there. We couldn’t even have completed this without Padlet.

Aylin Türkücüoğlu

Imece Network in Bulgaria! 🇹🇷🤝🇧🇬

27 July 2025 imece network Leave a comment

Between 21–27 July 2025, Eren, Tuncay, and Özcan represented Imece Network at the Inner Peace, Outer Impact Training Course in Pamporovo, Bulgaria. 🌿✨

They joined youth workers from 8 countries to explore mental health, resilience, and healthy lifestyles — combining workshops with nature hikes, mindfulness walks, and intercultural nights. 🌍💬

During the program, Tuncay Vural led a workshop called From the Past to the Future using a tree metaphor. Participants reflected on their “roots, soil, trunk, branches, leaves, blossoms, and dead branches” through personal and group activities, encouraging deep self-awareness and shared growth. 🌳💡

Bringing back fresh ideas and strong international connections, our team is ready to spread the impact in Türkiye! 🚀

A Sustainable Step with Imece Network: My Experience at the Eco Coach Training in Struga

17 July 2025 imece network Leave a comment

What was it like to explore the fantastic intersection of sustainability and entrepreneurship, all against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Ohrid? Representing Imece Network at the “Eco Coach Training” project in Struga, North Macedonia, from July 11-17, 2025, was a unique adventure where I found answers to these questions and so much more.

Funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme, this training course by Youth Council Prilep brought together a group of eager youth workers to explore how green practices can inspire innovation and business ideas. Through workshops and hands-on activities that blended creativity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, we learned how to turn eco-friendly concepts into concrete and impactful ventures. We didn’t just stick to theory; we saw how to bring our ideas to life using digital tools as well.

This journey, staying at Hotel Ambient on the shores of Lake Ohrid, was of course not limited to training alone. One of the most colorful moments of the project was the “International Night”. As participants from different cultures, we spent an evening filled with flavors and traditions from each other’s cuisines. Furthermore, thanks to the “Organization Market” where each participating organization could introduce itself, I was immensely proud to represent Imece Network and connect with other inspiring initiatives.

This experience not only broadened my horizons on what can be done for a sustainable future but also allowed me to break down prejudices against different cultures and improve my English communication skills. I believe I will carry this acquired knowledge and inspiration into Imece Network’s work and share it with many more young people.

I sincerely thank Imece Network for providing me with this unforgettable opportunity, Youth Council Prilep for their hospitality, and all the participants with whom I shared all these beautiful moments. This green journey in Struga will guide me both in my personal and professional life.

Mehmetcan
Imece Network Volunteer

Imece Network at SociALL Up: Spreading Awareness Through Action

24 May 2025 imece network Leave a comment

Recently, Imece Network took part in the SociALL Up Social Awareness Festival, organized by Istanbul University’s Entrepreneurship Club at IPA Florya Campus.

At our booth, we introduced Imece Network’s vision and mission, focusing on our Erasmus+ projects and the international opportunities we offer to young people. Our volunteers shared their personal experiences from past programs, helping visitors better understand the impact of our work. We highlighted our core belief — that in Imece, everyone supports each other. If you’re willing to help, there’s always a way to contribute. So why wait? Join us!

As one of the three volunteers representing Imece Network at the event, I found it truly inspiring to connect with so many enthusiastic young people. It was a pleasure to raise awareness about youth participation, activism, and solidarity.

The day was filled with energy and joy — from dancing to participating in a Zumba session, the festival was as fun as it was meaningful!

Eren Vural

Imece Network at the 2025 GoFor Members Meeting & Youth Work Forum

26 April 2025 imece network Leave a comment

From April 24–26, 2025, Imece Network was proudly represented by our teammate Efe at the GoFor Members Meeting and the 2025 Youth Work Forum in Ankara.

With the theme “More Than 10 Years of Youth Work,” the forum brought together youth organizations and young changemakers to reflect on the past decade of youth engagement and explore collective approaches to current challenges.

What Was Discussed?
The forum focused on inclusive and participatory youth work, addressing issues such as access to education, labor rights, gender equality, and peacebuilding. Participants emphasized collaboration, solidarity, and long-term vision in creating meaningful change.

Dialogue With Decision-Makers
One of the most important aspects of the forum was the opportunity for direct dialogue between young people and political actors. This format created space for open questions, mutual understanding, and democratic engagement.

Efe’s Participation
As Imece Network’s representative, Efe contributed to discussions around inclusive youth spaces, shared our values of cooperation and empowerment, and built new bridges with fellow youth organizations from across the country.

At Imece Network, we believe in the power of youth-led initiatives. Participating in spaces like this forum strengthens our commitment to inclusive, participatory, and impactful youth work—locally and globally.

Imece Network Youth Participated in the LEAD Youth Exchange in Romania!

13 April 2025 imece network Leave a comment

Between April 5-13, 2025, a team of 8 young people from Imece Network — including one team leader (Tuncay) and seven participants — took part in the Learning, Engaging, Acting for Democracy (LEAD) youth exchange, hosted in Horezu, Romania. For most of the participants, this was their very first international experience.

The project gathered 46 young people from Türkiye, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Hungary, creating a multicultural environment where ideas and cultures could meet. The program combined workshops, debates, role-plays, simulations, and outdoor activities to foster learning through non-formal education methods.

Throughout the exchange, participants explored key topics like democracy, cultural understanding, and active participation. The activities were designed and facilitated by experienced youth leaders, focusing on teamwork, creativity, and open-mindedness.

Our participants shared that this experience helped them break down prejudices, especially towards neighboring cultures. Many also expressed that their self-confidence and English communication skills improved significantly during the project.

The LEAD project was not only a platform for learning but also a place for new friendships and meaningful cultural exchange. As Imece Network, we are proud to continue supporting young people in their personal and international development journeys!

My Digital Journey Through Bulgaria: A Youth Exchange Experience

8 April 2025 imece network Leave a comment

I’m Melike, and I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the “Digital Storytelling on Rails 0.2” Youth Exchange project, which took place from March 31 to April 8, 2025, across three Bulgarian cities: Sofia, Plovdiv, and Veliko Tarnovo. The project brought together participants from Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Armenia, creating a vibrant multicultural environment focused on the power of storytelling through digital tools.

The main theme of the project was exploring storytelling techniques using digital skills. Throughout the exchange, we engaged in various interactive activities. One of the highlights was creating our own stories using drawing-based narration and visual storytelling techniques. These creative exercises helped us strengthen our digital competencies and experiment with different narrative styles.

In addition to the workshops, we enjoyed cultural nights, where each country shared elements of their culture. These evenings were not only fun but also enriching, allowing us to learn about each other’s traditions, music, food, and values. It was a beautiful way to build friendships and deepen our understanding of other cultures.

A unique aspect of the project was that it took place in multiple cities, and we traveled between them by train. These train journeys became more than just transportation—they turned into moving classrooms where we brainstormed ideas, shared stories, and reflected on our learning experiences. Traveling through Bulgaria’s picturesque landscapes added a magical backdrop to our discussions on digital storytelling.

As we explored each city’s cultural and historical richness, we also had the chance to apply and develop our storytelling skills in real-world contexts. This made our learning more engaging and meaningful.

In conclusion, this project offered me not just a chance to improve my digital storytelling techniques, but also a profound opportunity to connect with people from different cultural backgrounds. The friendships we formed, the stories we shared, and the memories we created all contributed to an unforgettable experience. Projects like this, I believe, are essential for young people to broaden their perspectives, enhance their digital and cultural literacy, and truly feel like part of a global community.

Melike Beygirci

Haklar Project: Advocating for Youth Rights

20 December 2024 imece network Leave a comment

On December 20, 2024, Imece Network’s founder, Özkan Uzelli, proudly represented our organization at the closing panel of the “Haklar Project” in Ankara. This significant event was organized under the European Union’s Democracy and Human Rights program, led by the Youth Services Center Association, with the “Mardin Ortak Kadın İşbirliği Derneği” and the “Uğur Mumcu Araştırmacı Gazetecilik Vakfı” as partner organizations.

The panel took place at the Occidental Hotel’s grand ballroom and brought together youth representatives, civil society leaders, and human rights experts from across Turkey. The event emphasized the theme “Equal Rights, Equal Humans,” reflecting on the project’s journey since its inception on February 1, 2022. Through education, monitoring, and advocacy efforts, the Haklar Project has reached thousands of individuals, strengthening youth participation and promoting human rights and youth rights.

The day began with a welcoming reception, followed by opening speeches from key stakeholders, including Mehmet Arslan, the Project Director, and representatives from partner organizations. These inspiring addresses set the stage for a day of insightful discussions and knowledge sharing.

One of the highlights was the session “From the Youth’s Perspective,” where young participants shared their experiences and the impact of the Haklar Project on their advocacy efforts for both human rights and youth rights. This was followed by a panel on evidence-based approaches to human rights, featuring distinguished academics and legal experts.

The closing panel not only celebrated the project’s achievements but also fostered an environment of mutual learning and exploration. Imece Network’s involvement in such a vital initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance education, culture, and youth participation on an international scale. We are excited to carry forward the insights and connections gained from this experience, continuing our work to inspire and advocate for a more equitable and inclusive future.

Participated “Akran Program”

8 December 2024 imece network Leave a comment

On 7-8th December, our team member Fulya Ateş participated in the “Akran Program,” an intensive and rewarding two-day initiative focused on youth participation, advocacy, and campaign creation, fostering collaboration and sparking future advocacy ideas.

“Peer Program” organized by the Youth Services Center, aimed at increasing youth participation in civic initiatives. The program kicked off with an insightful discussion on advocacy and lobbying, which laid a solid foundation for understanding the key concepts. Subsequent sessions explored youth engagement, participation mechanisms, and practices both in Turkey and globally, providing a comprehensive perspective on the topic.

On Sunday, the focus shifted to campaign creation. They analyzed the “Interface Campaign” as a case study before forming groups based on issues they prioritized. Each group then developed and presented their own campaign, fostering creativity and collaboration. The participants were predominantly from outside the city, with notable representation from the other cities and regions.

The two-day program was both intensive and rewarding. It combined in-depth discussions with hands-on activities, creating an environment for meaningful learning and exchange. The diverse group of participants and the collaborative spirit made it an enriching experience, sparking ideas for future advocacy efforts.

Imece Network’s Journey to Latvia: Empowering Youth Workers

30 November 2024 imece network Leave a comment

From November 22 to 30, 2024, Imece Network sent three participants to the Erasmus+ training course “Smooth and Successful Transition into a Labour Market” in Saulkrasti, Latvia. This program gathered 28 youth workers, educators, and NGO representatives from across Europe.

The project aimed to equip youth workers with essential knowledge, tools, and skills to support young people’s transition from education to employment. Through non-formal education and experiential learning, participants explored challenges and solutions for bridging the skills gap in the European labor market.

Workshops focused on mentorship techniques, practical strategies, and creative approaches, encouraging learning by doing. Intercultural evenings added a cultural exchange dimension, where Imece Network’s team proudly represented Turkey.

Our three representatives returned with fresh perspectives, enhanced skills, and strong international connections. Their experience reflects Imece Network’s commitment to promoting non-formal education and strengthening youth work across borders.

Stay tuned for more stories from our international journey!

International Platform on Education, Culture