VOICE OF

CHANGE

Erasmus+ Youth Exchange | Volda, Norway - 13th - 21st JUNE, 2026.

Voice of Change

Erasmus+ Youth Exchange | Volda, Norway

Voice of Change is a 9-day Erasmus+ Youth Exchange, including travel days, that brings together young people from Norway, Estonia, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Poland to explore storytelling, public speaking, and active participation through non-formal education.

This project is designed for young people who want to build confidence, express themselves, and use their voices to create positive change in their communities.

What is the project about?

Everyone has a story to tell.

Through storytelling, spoken word, dialogue, and creative workshops, participants will learn how to turn personal experiences into meaningful messages that inspire understanding and encourage participation.

Building on our previous theatre-based exchange, Voice of Change focuses on simple, low-tech methods that participants can easily bring back to their schools, youth clubs, and local communities.

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Project Objectives

Participants will build confidence in public speaking and storytelling while learning the importance of active listening and respectful dialogue. Together, they will explore social topics such as inclusion, discrimination, health, and the environment, develop teamwork and leadership skills, create a small storytelling or audio project to share in their communities, and discover practical ways to become more active in everyday democracy.

Throughout the exchange, participants will take part in storytelling circles, voice and public speaking workshops, spoken word sessions, and basic audio storytelling. They will experience Human Library activities, outdoor reflection, and creative workshops before co-organising a public storytelling event with the local community in Volda. The learning journey concludes with personal reflection and the YouthPass process.
By the end of the exchange, participants will have greater confidence in speaking and sharing their ideas, stronger communication and teamwork skills, new international friendships, practical storytelling methods they can use at home, a YouthPass Certificate recognising their learning, and the motivation to become more active in their local communities.
The exchange is open to young people aged 18–30 who can communicate in English at approximately an A2 level and are interested in creativity, communication, and community participation. No previous experience is required, and priority will be given to first-time Erasmus+ participants and young people with fewer opportunities.

Our Partners

The project is coordinated by International Volda (Norway) in partnership with Ethos MTÜ (Estonia), Erasmus Generation Plus (Italy), CULTURE GOES EUROPE (Germany), KAMM Artistic Europe (Spain), and Logos Polska (Poland).

Erasmus+

Voice of Change is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, supporting youth participation, intercultural learning, inclusion, active citizenship, and international cooperation across Europe.

Project Overview

Voice of Change was a nine-day Erasmus+ Youth Exchange, including travel days, held in Volda, Norway, bringing together 30 young people and youth leaders from Norway, Germany, Estonia, Poland, Italy, and Spain. Coordinated by International Volda and supported by partner organisations across Europe, the project explored how storytelling, public speaking, and active listening can empower young people to become more confident communicators and active members of their communities.

Building on the success of a previous theatre-based exchange, Voice of Change shifted its focus to voice-led storytelling, using accessible, low-tech methods that participants can easily take back to schools, youth clubs, and community spaces. Through story circles, spoken word, dialogue workshops, Human Library sessions, and creative reflection, participants transformed personal experiences into meaningful stories that encouraged empathy, understanding, and participation.

Beyond the workshops, the exchange created a genuine sense of belonging. Shared experiences, including campfires, mountain hikes, swimming in the Norwegian lakes, and moments of reflection in nature, helped participants build friendships that crossed cultures and languages. Inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu, "I am because we are", the group embraced the idea that community is built through connection, mutual support, and shared experiences. This spirit became the foundation of what participants proudly named Worldwide Volda, a new international family formed through the project.

A highlight of the exchange was the community event in Volda, where participants connected with local children, young people, adults, and older generations through storytelling, music, dance, creative activities, and shared meals. The event celebrated intercultural dialogue and demonstrated how stories can bring people together, regardless of age or background.

By the end of the project, participants left not only with stronger communication and leadership skills but also with a deeper understanding that every person has a story worth sharing. Voice of Change reinforced the belief that storytelling is more than a method of communication; it is a powerful tool for building confidence, strengthening communities, and fostering a greater sense of belonging across Europe.

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Date
13th - 21st June, 2026

Location
Volda-Norway