Change Starts Now: Coming Together for Women's Rights and Social Awareness

The Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project “Change Starts Now” was held in Riga, Latvia, between 18–25 April 2025, hosted by Venus Women's Rights Association under the reference number 2024-3-LV02-KA152-YOU-000266537. Bringing together young people from Latvia, Romania, Türkiye, Spain, and Austria, the project aimed to raise awareness about women's rights, gender equality, and violence against women. Through an intercultural learning environment, participants had the opportunity to share experiences from their countries, develop common solutions, and become active contributors to social change.

Participants began building connections through an interactive icebreaker activity based on identifying one another through physical characteristics. This fun and active learning experience helped young people from different countries improve their self-expression and communication skills while getting to know each other better. The friendly atmosphere created during this activity laid the foundation for future cooperation and intercultural exchange throughout the project.

Informative sessions about the opportunities, objectives, and impact of the Erasmus+ Programme increased participants’ motivation and engagement. By exploring the experiences of former Erasmus+ participants, the group gained valuable insights into how international mobility projects can positively influence personal and professional development. Participants also shared their expectations, goals, and learning objectives, allowing them to approach the project with greater awareness and purpose.

During field activities focused on exploring the city and the local environment, participants conducted interviews with local residents about women's rights and violence against women. These conversations provided valuable perspectives on social attitudes while strengthening participants’ communication, empathy, and social dialogue skills. Working together toward a common objective also contributed significantly to developing teamwork and a sense of solidarity among participants from different cultural backgrounds.

Activities related to the Youthpass certificate and learning outcomes encouraged participants to reflect on their competences and identify areas they wished to improve. In addition, poster-making activities focusing on femicide cases from different countries became one of the most powerful moments of the project. By highlighting the stories of women who lost their lives to violence, participants aimed to raise public awareness and deliver meaningful messages through creative expression. Evaluation sessions held afterwards enabled participants to reflect on both their personal development and the overall impact of the programme, providing valuable feedback for the activities ahead.