As the International Youth Quest Association (UGARD), we successfully hosted our project partners in Türkiye for a project meeting within the scope of the Erasmus+ KA210 “Youth Work 2.0: Unlocking Potential with AI” project, funded by the German National Agency and coordinated by the East-West-East Association.

During the meeting, which brought together our project partners, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the project activities carried out so far. We reviewed the completed activities and results achieved and exchanged ideas regarding the next stages of the project.

One of the key items on the meeting agenda was the guide being developed for the effective, innovative, and responsible use of artificial intelligence in youth work. Project partners shared their views and suggestions regarding the content and final version of the guide. These discussions contributed to further developing the guide into a practical and useful resource that responds to the needs of youth workers.

The meeting held in Türkiye not only contributed to the progress of the project activities but also strengthened communication and cooperation among the partner organisations. Sharing different experiences, perspectives, and approaches provided a valuable opportunity to support the achievement of the project objectives and the development of high-quality project outcomes.

As we successfully complete another important stage of the “Youth Work 2.0: Unlocking Potential with AI” project, we continue to explore the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in youth work and develop innovative outputs through our strong partnership and international cooperation.

We would like to thank all our project partners for their participation, valuable contributions, experience sharing, and continued cooperation throughout the project.

As the International Young Search Association (UGARD), we carried out a preparatory visit to our host organisation in Serbia as part of our European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Volunteering Project, supported by the Turkish National Agency, Project No. 2025-1-TR01-ESC51-VTJ-000346897.

During our visit, we discussed in detail the overall project process, the tasks and responsibilities of our volunteers, working conditions, accommodation arrangements, and various aspects of daily life.

We also had the opportunity to get to know our host organisation and its working environment more closely. Together with our partner, we planned the necessary preparations to ensure that our volunteers have a safe, inclusive, productive, and meaningful volunteering experience in Serbia.

This preparatory visit was also highly valuable in terms of strengthening the cooperation between our organisations and further developing our long-term partnership.

Now, the next step is to send our volunteers off to Serbia and open the doors to a brand-new international experience!

We participated in the Kick-off Meeting held in Germany within the framework of the Erasmus+ KA210 “Edu4All” Project, in which UGARD is a strategic partner and East-West-East Association serves as the coordinating organization.

During the project’s opening meeting, the project partners came together to discuss the project’s objectives, activity timeline, division of responsibilities, and cooperation mechanisms in detail. Throughout the sessions, participants exchanged ideas on strengthening inclusion and accessibility in youth work while finalizing the planning of the project’s upcoming activities.

The meeting, attended by organizations from different countries, established a strong foundation for international cooperation and contributed to the successful implementation of the project through joint planning and key strategic decisions.

The Edu4All Project aims to promote equal access to education and youth opportunities, foster inclusive practices, and encourage the development of accessible learning environments. Through its planned activities and expected outcomes, the project will support the active participation of young people with diverse needs in international youth initiatives.

At UGARD, we are proud to be part of Erasmus+ projects that promote equal participation in social life and international opportunities for young people. We remain committed to contributing to the development of more inclusive and accessible youth work across Europe.

Throughout the project, we will continue to share updates on training activities, international meetings, and project outcomes through our website and social media channels.

Within the scope of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Volunteering Project (Project No. 2024-2-TR01-ESC51-VTJ-000291047), funded by the Turkish National Agency and coordinated by UGARD as the applicant organization, three visually impaired volunteers, accompanied by their assistants, together with a total of eight volunteers, will participate in a 28-day volunteering activity in North Macedonia. In addition, one volunteer will take part in a 46-day volunteering placement.

During the project, our volunteers will work alongside young people from different cultural backgrounds in activities that promote social benefit. This experience will not only contribute to their personal and professional development but also provide them with the opportunity to experience the true spirit of international solidarity and intercultural cooperation.

This project represents much more than an international mobility activity. It is an important initiative aimed at strengthening inclusive volunteering in the field of disability. Enabling young people with diverse needs to participate in international programmes on equal terms reflects the core values of the European Solidarity Corps: solidarity, equality, inclusion, and active participation.

At UGARD, we believe that the true strength of international youth programmes lies in their ability to provide accessible and inclusive opportunities for everyone. Every initiative that supports the active participation of persons with disabilities in international experiences contributes not only to individual development but also to the creation of a more inclusive society and a stronger civil society.

We wish all our volunteers a successful and rewarding experience in North Macedonia and are confident that the knowledge, skills, and experiences they gain will create lasting value for both themselves and their communities.

As the International Youth Quest Association (UGARD), we participated in the transnational partners’ meeting held in Belgium within the framework of the Erasmus+ KA210 project, “Youth Work 2.0: Unlocking Potential with AI,” supported by the German National Agency.

Throughout the meeting, the activities carried out so far under the project were comprehensively reviewed, while the partner organisations had the opportunity to exchange experiences and share examples of good practice. Discussions also focused on how artificial intelligence technologies can be used more effectively and innovatively in youth work, and new ideas were developed to contribute to the project’s objectives.

Thanks to the productive discussions among the project partners, the upcoming project activities were planned in detail, and a shared roadmap for the next implementation phase was established. The meeting made a significant contribution to strengthening international cooperation, enhancing the exchange of experience, and improving coordination among the partner organisations.

As UGARD, we are proud to be part of this international initiative, which promotes digital transformation in youth work and encourages the effective use of artificial intelligence. We will continue working closely with our project partners to develop innovative and high-quality activities that create more opportunities for young people.

We would like to thank all our project partners for their warm hospitality in Belgium and for their valuable contributions throughout the meeting. We look forward to the next stages of our project with great enthusiasm.

Our volunteer, who is carrying out a long-term volunteering project in Spain under the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme, has shared their experiences from the field and the activities they have been involved in. Through this opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture, develop new skills, and contribute directly to the local community, our volunteer highlights the significant impact the project has had on both their personal and social development.

This experience demonstrates that volunteering is much more than simply taking part in a project—it is a unique journey that broadens perspectives, fosters personal growth, and transcends borders. As UGARD, we are delighted to witness our volunteer’s achievements and development throughout this process. In the coming period, we will continue to share highlights from our volunteer’s experiences in Spain, including their interactions with the local community and the valuable insights they have gained along the way.

As part of our association’s volunteer sending activities, a comprehensive preparatory visit was carried out to our project partner in Greece. Organized to ensure that our volunteers have a safe, productive, and high-quality experience, the visit provided an opportunity to examine the host organization’s working environment, ongoing activities, and the specific areas in which our young volunteers will be involved.

During the visit, meetings were held with represbetimler entatives of the host organization to discuss the project implementation process, mutual expectations, and potential opportunities for future cooperation. We believe that this strong partnership, built on the principles of international solidarity and intercultural learning, will open the door to highly valuable experiences for our volunteers in the coming period.

All the questions people are curious about regarding Erasmus+ and ESC (European Solidarity Corps) will be answered during the Instagram live broadcast taking place on May 20.

During the live session, participants will discuss the most frequently asked topics based on their own experiences: How does the application process work? What level of English is required? Is the visa process difficult? How can projects be found? Are the programs really free of charge? Can someone who has never been abroad before participate? These and many more questions will be discussed in detail.

In addition, many valuable insights will be shared — from motivation letters to volunteering projects, from international experiences to application tips — including the kind of information that makes you say, “We wish someone had told us this at the beginning.”

The live broadcast, open to everyone interested in Erasmus+, ESC, youth exchanges, or international volunteering projects, will take place on May 20 between 20:00–21:00 on the UGARD Instagram account. You are all invited!