Change Starts Now: Evaluating Learning Outcomes and Creating Lasting Impact

The Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project “Change Starts Now” was implemented in Riga, Latvia, from 18–25 April 2025 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 violence against women, women’s rights, and gender equality, while strengthening active citizenship skills and promoting social change through international cooperation. Through the various activities carried out during the project, participants increased their knowledge and awareness of these issues while also gaining valuable competences that contributed to their personal and professional development.

Participants took part in a comprehensive Youthpass evaluation process designed to make learning outcomes from Erasmus+ projects more visible and recognizable. During this process, each participant reflected on the skills they had developed and the experiences they had gained throughout the project, allowing them to analyze their individual learning journey. Through self-assessment activities, young people were able to identify their progress in areas such as communication, teamwork, entrepreneurship, cultural awareness, and social responsibility. The Youthpass process also provided valuable support for participants’ future educational and career planning.

As part of a study visit aimed at exploring organizations working to combat violence against women, participants had the opportunity to learn about support mechanisms and good practices in Riga. By examining real-life examples, they gained a deeper understanding of the services, support systems, and awareness-raising activities provided by organizations operating in the field of women’s rights. The visit also enabled participants to discover practices that could be adapted in their own countries while broadening their international perspectives.

Comprehensive feedback and evaluation activities focusing on the knowledge, experiences, and learning outcomes gained throughout the project allowed participants to reflect on their personal development. Areas such as openness to change, time management, teamwork, patience, sharing culture, and problem-solving skills were examined and assessed. Evaluations covering key project themes—including the causes of violence against women, women’s legal rights, and gender equality—helped determine the extent to which the project’s learning objectives had been achieved.

Through these activities, participants not only evaluated the overall project experience but also reflected on their own growth and established new goals for future social responsibility initiatives. The shared experiences of young people from different countries once again highlighted the importance of international solidarity in promoting women’s rights. At the same time, they contributed to ensuring that the impact of the project would continue long after the activities themselves had come to an end.