Our Experience at the Problem2Project Training Course

Between 14–21 June 2026, Harmonia Youth Network proudly participated as a sending organization in the Erasmus+ Training Course Problem2Project, hosted by Project Spirit in Elva, Estonia.

The training brought together youth workers, youth leaders, and NGO representatives from across Europe to strengthen their competences in problem analysis, project design, and non-formal education. Throughout the week, participants explored practical tools and innovative methodologies that can be used to develop Erasmus+ projects responding to the real needs of young people.

Although the mobility has come to an end, the knowledge, friendships, and international partnerships created during the training continue to inspire new ideas and future collaborations.

Learning Through Practice

One of the greatest strengths of Problem2Project was its practical and participant-centred approach. Instead of starting directly with project writing, participants first learned how to identify, analyse, and understand the root causes of challenges affecting young people in their local communities.

Using non-formal education methods such as Problem Tree Analysis, Stakeholder Mapping, Theory of Change, KPI Planning, and the Problem2Project Canvas, participants developed the skills needed to transform local challenges into well-structured Erasmus+ project ideas.

These practical tools will help participants design projects with a stronger impact and better respond to the needs of young people in their communities.

💬 Participant Reflection – Eleni

🇬🇧 English

"My participation in the Problem2Project in Elva, Estonia, was a unique and unforgettable experience. In a warm and inclusive environment, I had the opportunity to meet amazing people from different countries, collaborate with them, and truly feel like a valued member of the group.

Throughout the program, I gained valuable knowledge about non-formal education and learned how to design and develop projects that address the real needs of young people. We explored ways to create projects that can be submitted under the Erasmus+ programme and successfully implemented to tackle issues affecting youth, such as the lack of employment opportunities in small communities—a topic that is particularly meaningful to me.

Beyond the knowledge and skills I gained, the program strengthened my self-confidence, helped me express myself more comfortably, and showed me the true power of collaboration and inclusion. I am deeply grateful for this experience and for everything I learned and gained from it."

🇬🇷 Ελληνικά

Η συμμετοχή μου στο πρόγραμμα Problem2Project στην Ελβα της Εσθονίας ήταν μια μοναδική και αξέχαστη εμπειρία. Μέσα από ένα ζεστό και συμπεριληπτικό περιβάλλον γνώρισα υπέροχους ανθρώπους από διαφορετικές χώρες, συνεργάστηκα μαζί τους και ένιωσα πραγματικά μέλος της ομάδας.

Κατά τη διάρκεια του προγράμματος απέκτησα πολύτιμες γνώσεις γύρω από τη μη τυπική εκπαίδευση και έμαθα πώς μπορούμε να σχεδιάζουμε και να αναπτύσσουμε έργα που ανταποκρίνονται στις πραγματικές ανάγκες των νέων. Εξερευνήσαμε τρόπους δημιουργίας projects που μπορούν να υποβληθούν στο Erasmus+ και να υλοποιηθούν, με στόχο την αντιμετώπιση προβλημάτων που απασχολούν τη νεολαία, όπως η έλλειψη ευκαιριών απασχόλησης σε μικρές κοινότητες, ένα θέμα που με αγγίζει προσωπικά.

Πέρα από τις γνώσεις που απέκτησα, το πρόγραμμα ενίσχυσε την αυτοπεποίθησή μου, με βοήθησε να εκφράζομαι πιο άνετα και μου έδειξε τη δύναμη της συνεργασίας και της συμπερίληψης. Είμαι ιδιαίτερα ευγνώμων για αυτή την εμπειρία και για όλα όσα αποκόμισα από αυτή.

An International Learning Experience

Beyond the educational programme, Problem2Project created a welcoming multicultural environment where participants exchanged ideas, shared experiences, and learned from one another.

Working with people from different countries encouraged collaboration, creativity, and intercultural understanding. Through workshops, group work, cultural evenings, and informal networking, participants built meaningful friendships and professional connections that are expected to continue through future Erasmus+ projects.

The diversity of perspectives demonstrated that, while young people across Europe may face different realities, many of their challenges are shared—and can be addressed together through international cooperation.

💬 Participant Reflection – Nikolas

🇬🇧 English

"My participation in the Problem2Project in Elva, Estonia, was a truly meaningful and rewarding experience. During the training course, we had the opportunity to learn how to develop and launch our own projects in the future, gaining valuable knowledge about planning, organizing, and turning ideas into reality.

Beyond the knowledge I gained, the program gave me the chance to meet people from different countries, exchange ideas, and build genuine friendships that I hope will continue long after the exchange has ended. It was an inspiring experience that boosted my self-confidence and motivated me to take part in, or even create, similar initiatives in the future."

🇬🇷 Ελληνικά

Η συμμετοχή μου στο πρόγραμμα Problem2Project στην Elva της Εσθονίας ήταν μια πολύ όμορφη και ουσιαστική εμπειρία. Κατά τη διάρκεια του training course, είχαμε την ευκαιρία να εκπαιδευτούμε σχετικά με το πώς μπορούμε να αναπτύξουμε και να ξεκινήσουμε τα δικά μας projects στο μέλλον, μαθαίνοντας χρήσιμες πληροφορίες για τον σχεδιασμό, την οργάνωση και την υλοποίηση ιδεών.

Πέρα από τις γνώσεις που απέκτησα, το πρόγραμμα μου έδωσε την ευκαιρία να γνωρίσω ανθρώπους από διαφορετικές χώρες, να ανταλλάξουμε απόψεις και να δημιουργήσω πραγματικά όμορφες συνδέσεις που ελπίζω να κρατήσουν και μετά το τέλος της ανταλλαγής. Ήταν μια εμπειρία που με ενέπνευσε και μου έδωσε περισσότερη αυτοπεποίθηση για να συμμετέχω ή ακόμα και να δημιουργήσω παρόμοιες πρωτοβουλίες στο μέλλον.

Bringing New Knowledge Home

For Harmonia Youth Network, the greatest value of international mobility lies in the knowledge, skills, and experiences that participants bring back to their communities.

The competences developed during the training—including analytical thinking, project planning, stakeholder engagement, evaluation methods, and intercultural collaboration—will strengthen the quality of our future initiatives and contribute to more effective youth work at the local level.

The international partnerships established during the training also create new opportunities for future Erasmus+ collaborations, enabling us to continue developing projects that empower young people and promote active participation across Europe.

The Value of Erasmus+

Problem2Project once again demonstrated the importance of the Erasmus+ Programme in supporting the professional development of youth workers through international learning, the exchange of good practices, and competence development.

Participating in projects like this enables organizations to improve their work continuously, adopt innovative methods, and build long-lasting European partnerships that create positive opportunities for young people.

As a sending organization, Harmonia Youth Network would like to sincerely thank Project Spirit, the trainers, and all participants for creating such a motivating, inclusive, and collaborative learning environment.

Looking Ahead

Although the training has ended, its impact is only beginning.

Our participants return home equipped with new knowledge, practical tools, increased confidence, and an expanded international network. They are now better prepared to transform local challenges into meaningful Erasmus+ projects that create positive change within their communities.

We look forward to building on the partnerships established during Problem2Project, developing new international initiatives, and continuing to empower young people through non-formal education and European cooperation.

The journey from problem to project has only just begun, and we are excited to see where it will lead next.