What happens when rural youth talk human rights? This.

In November 2024, we brought together 28 young people and 6 group leaders from 5 countries for an international youth exchange in Șimon, Romania, as part of our Erasmus+ accreditation in the field of youth. The project, titled “From Rural to Plural – [Rural] Youth for Diversity and Human Rights,” was designed to support young people — especially those from rural areas — in understanding their rights, strengthening their voices, and taking the lead in promoting inclusion and diversity at home.

The exchange was organized by Active Development Association (ADA) within our strategic commitment to empowering rural youth through non-formal education and cross-border collaboration. Over eight days of workshops, theatre-based learning, and action planning, participants explored the role they can play as human rights ambassadors in their own communities.

 

Why this topic, and why now?

Across Europe, young people in rural areas often face structural barriers that limit their access to rights and opportunities — from limited youth services and fewer education or employment options, to discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. Human rights education is rarely part of their formal schooling, and public participation channels are either weak or inaccessible. As a result, many rural youth feel disconnected from democratic processes and unaware of how rights connect to their everyday experiences.

At the same time, rural communities are not immune to the broader social challenges we see across Europe: rising intolerance, misinformation, and a lack of safe spaces for dialogue. For young people growing up in such environments, talking about inclusion, equity, and rights can be both sensitive and urgent.

This youth exchange was a direct response to these realities — a space to explore, to connect, and to act. What followed was a week of learning, co-creation, and solidarity that made a clear statement: rural youth have something to say, and they’re ready to lead the conversation on human rights.

 

What happened during the exchange

The exchange kicked off with a few simple goals: to create a space for honest learning, to make human rights relevant to the everyday lives of young people from rural areas, and to turn ideas into action. The week was structured around non-formal education methods, with each day bringing new perspectives, tools, and ways of working together.

We started by getting to know each other and building a shared understanding of why we were there. Early sessions helped participants unpack the concept of human rights — not in the abstract, but as something that affects real people in real situations. Through group discussions, small workshops, and interactive methods, we explored discrimination, inclusion, and how power dynamics show up in different communities.

Then came one of the most engaging parts of the week: using theatre as a tool for human rights education. Through the “labyrinth theatre” method, participants worked in groups to design and perform immersive scenes that reflected real-life challenges in their communities — from exclusion to gender stereotypes and lack of access to information. These weren’t just performances; they were deeply personal expressions that sparked important conversations.

Another key moment of the exchange was the development of local action plans. Each national team identified a problem they wanted to address at home and worked step by step on how to do it — setting objectives, brainstorming formats (videos, workshops, local campaigns), and receiving peer feedback. What stood out was the way participants connected their ideas to their local contexts, showing a strong sense of responsibility and creativity.

Of course, there was time for intercultural learning too. Evenings were dedicated to exploring different cultures through food, music, games, and informal exchanges. These moments reminded everyone that learning also happens around the dinner table, or when dancing to a song you’ve never heard before.

Throughout the week, daily reflection groups helped participants track their learning, share challenges, and support each other. It wasn’t always easy — some days were intense, and conversations got emotional — but the group consistently showed respect, openness, and care for one another.

By the end of the exchange, something had shifted. The group had moved from “learning about human rights” to “taking ownership of how we talk about them, act on them, and share them with others.”

 

Participant voices

If there’s one thing that stayed with all of us after the exchange, it’s the stories we shared and the stories we took home. Here’s what some of the participants had to say:

“Unexpected, surreal, necessary.” – Candela, Spain

 

“This project has managed to create in me some very deep knowledge and feelings. I’ve learned how important human rights are — and how much it matters that we make sure they are always respected.” – Radu, Romania

 

“This experience has been truly transformative. Meeting people from so many different backgrounds, learning about their cultures, and sharing stories has opened my eyes to new perspectives. The activities were engaging and thought-provoking, challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and connect in meaningful ways. I’m grateful for every moment, every laugh, and every new friendship that came out of this exchange. It’s been unforgettable, and I’m leaving with memories—and people—that I’ll carry with me for a lifetime.” – Emina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

“For me, this experience has been incredible. The activities were super thoughtful, and the human warmth — from participants to facilitators — made this one of the best experiences of my life.” – Alejandro, Spain

 

“Being part of this youth exchange program was honestly life changing. From the very first day, I felt like I was stepping into something so much bigger than I had imagined. I met people from such beautiful places, each bringing their own perspectives and stories, and somehow, in just a short time, they became like family. I also grew up as a person, I regained my trust in people, I learned to love and enjoy every moment, no matter if I had to stay up all night. I laughed my heart out and I also cried. I love everyone!” – Mihaela, Moldova

 

“The experience was incredible! I learned so much about human rights and diversity, and the interactions with other participants were truly inspiring. I realized how important it is to celebrate our differences and protect our rights. This opportunity made me appreciate my community even more and motivated me to contribute to creating a more inclusive environment. Thank you for this experience!” – Svetlana, Moldova

 

“My time on Youth Exchange in Romania was amazing. Our group was very diverse, and it was a pleasure to meet people from different backgrounds and form friendships with so many unique individuals. Through daily workshops, I learned about the importance of human rights and promoting them. I am very grateful for this opportunity, which has become an unforgettable memory.” – Valentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

“The exchange was an intense experience — and I say that in the best of ways. We got to observe and experience first-hand how concepts such as inclusion and exclusion work. We explored more difficult topics through the labyrinth theatre, which really connected us to each other and to the realities other people face. All of that gave us the energy to create materials and talk more openly about the theme of the project. I truly hope more young people will have the opportunity to experience the methods we used. For me, that’s my motivation to stay connected to this project and to youth work in general — so we can keep doing exactly that.” – Alexandra, Romania

 

“This project allowed me to gain a wide range of experiences from start to finish. For example, I developed my language skills, learned more about photo and video editing, and improved my empathy. I’m happy to have been part of a mobility where non-formal education methods were used in such a professional and meaningful way.” – Büşra, Türkiye

 

“With the wonderful hospitality and experience of the ADA team, this project gave us unforgettable memories of both learning and having fun. It was truly exemplary — the organizers helped every participant feel comfortable and safe with their sincerity and care. I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to making this such a meaningful experience.” – Berk, Türkiye

 

What’s next?

The exchange may have ended, but the work is far from over. One of the key goals of this Erasmus+ mobility was to ensure that what participants learned wouldn’t stay in the room — but would travel back home with them.

Each national group left the project with a concrete action plan or campaign idea focused on promoting human rights and diversity in their local communities. Some are already in motion: awareness-raising events in high schools, social media campaigns about discrimination, creative workshops using theatre and storytelling, and local meetups to spark conversations among rural youth.

The participants are not just going home with memories — they’re returning as human rights ambassadors, equipped with tools, ideas, and the confidence to act. Many of them have already started collaborating with their sending organizations and youth groups, sharing what they’ve learned and planting the seeds for new projects.

As for us — the organizing team at ADA — we’re continuing our work under the Erasmus+ accreditation by supporting follow-up activities, connecting participants with new learning opportunities, and building a stronger network of young people who care about inclusion, democracy, and youth participation in rural areas.

Because if this exchange reminded us of anything, it’s that change doesn’t start with big institutions. It starts with people — often young people — who choose to get involved, speak up, and create space for others to do the same.

 

Disclaimer: The mobility was organized within the project 2024-1-RO01-KA151-YOU-000207686, under Active Development Association’s Erasmus+ accreditation in the field of youth no. 2022-1-RO01-KA150-YOU-00011043. The project was funded by the European Union.