EKO is happy to announce that one more impactful seminar has been completed successfully. The “Active Living” project united 30 participants from Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, and Finland. It was organised by the Finnish organisation Piispala and took place in Kannonkoski, Finland, from 13 to 17 April 2025.
Aims & Objectives of the project
This project for youth workers provided an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the connection between an active lifestyle, healthy living, and the holistic well-being of young people. The versatile project programme included hands-on activities and workshops that supported participants’ non-formal learning while providing space for personal reflection.
More specifically, the aims of the seminar were:
– to learn about ways that support healthy living and holistic wellbeing of the youth
– to reflect on how participants’ learning can benefit their work
– to support knowledge-sharing of different practices related to the project theme
– to support cultural exchange and non-formal learning from different participating countries and organisations.
Through this project, youth workers gained a deeper understanding of the connection between physical activity and the holistic well-being of young people. They will be able to use various activities in their work to support the physical and mental health of the youth.
Workshops & Activities of the project
Through this project, youth workers deepened their understanding of the connection between an active lifestyle and the holistic well-being of young people. The programme combined practical workshops, reflective sessions, and non-formal learning to give participants valuable tools and fresh perspectives. They explored how physical activity supports mental and physical health, gaining insights they could directly apply in their work with youth. Intercultural exchange and peer learning were key elements, fostering meaningful collaboration among European participants. Core values guided all activities, including inclusiveness, equality, and active participation. Through dialogue and shared experiences, participants co-developed innovative approaches aligned with EU values, such as solidarity and active citizenship. By the end of the project, youth workers were empowered to integrate wellbeing-focused practices into their daily work and actively contribute to the objectives of Erasmus+ and European youth strategies.
Αn amazing opportunity and a great experience for EKO’s team
Kostantinos, Evmorfili Ioanna, & Valentina were the amazing Greek team members whom we want to thank for all their contributions and collaboration throughout the project! After their return from the project the participants shared with us their expriences, feelings and emotions! Let’s see what they told us.
Evmorfili (Filitsa) shared her experience: <<The Active Living seminar in Finland was one of the best erasmus plus experiences i have had. It took place in a beautiful natural setting in a large youth center with great facilities. The activities were very interesting and combined learning, fun and exercise creating a positive and energetic atmosphere. The coordinators were well educated and inspiring, thus they managed to make everything enjoyable and easy to follow. What i loved the most was that most of the activities took part outdoor in nature with sunny weather that made the experience even more memorable. On top of these, we even got to see the Northen Lights and try traditional sauna following by cold plunge. Truly unique experience!>>
Konstantinos shared his experience: <<The program was an excellent.Its concise and well-structured activities made it one of the most nice experiences I’ve participated in, and the dynamic group of participants made it even more memorable.On a broader level, the program expanded my horizons, improved my soft skills, and introduced me to a new country and culture very different from my own. Overall, it was an enriching and unforgettable experience.>>
Valentina shared her experience: <<Active Living in Finland – An unforgettable Erasmus+ experience. For 3 days, Finland showed us its most warmly smiling face. The Erasmus+ program, in which we participated with EKO Greece, gave us the opportunity to enjoy the nature of Finland. Staying in the forest next to a beautiful lake, we tested our parkour skills and many other challenges. We learned about the benefits of sports activities in education and above all we felt happy like little kids. Some of the highlights were of course the sauna, the dives in the frozen lake and definitely the northern lights, which we had the unexpected opportunity to see in mid-April. I would highly recommend anyone who has the opportunity to participate in a similar program in order to broaden their horizons and meet interesting people.>>
As EKO, we are very grateful for that amazing opportunity given to the Greek team. We thank our Finnish partners from Piispala Youth Center and the members of the hosting organization, especially Tea and Olivia, for all their hard work and for creating such an impactful project!
Thank you – Ευχαριστούμε – Kiitos!
