Youth unemployment
Many young people lack practical experience, professional guidance and access to real opportunities.
Erasmus+ Youth Exchange · 2026
Y-Cycle
Turn ideas into impact. Build skills for a circular future.
An Erasmus+ Youth Exchange bringing together 37 young people from Greece, Portugal, Hungary and Romania to explore entrepreneurship, digital innovation, social impact and the circular economy.
- Elafonisos, Greece
- 23 Sep – 4 Oct 2026
- 37 participants
- 4 countries
- Fully funded
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Activity days
0
People taking part
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European countries
Elafonisos
Laconia, Greece
English
Working language
Erasmus+
Fully funded
About Y-Cycle
A cycle of ideas, skills and positive change
Y-Cycle is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange created by Community Cohorts in Greece, together with partner organisations from Portugal, Hungary and Romania.
The project brings young people together to explore employment, entrepreneurship, social innovation, digital tools and the circular economy.
Through non-formal education, international teamwork and practical challenges, participants discover how their ideas can become realistic initiatives that create social, environmental and economic value.
Y-Cycleideas in motion
1Discover
2Learn
3Create
4Test
5Share
6Multiply
The challenge
Why Y-Cycle matters
Across Europe, young people face the same crossroads. Y-Cycle responds to four connected challenges.
Limited access to resources
Young people may have ideas but lack networks, tools, confidence or knowledge about funding.
Digital skills gap
Modern work and entrepreneurship increasingly require digital literacy and familiarity with emerging technologies.
Environmental & social challenges
Future businesses and initiatives need to create value without ignoring communities or the environment.
Objectives
What we want to achieve
Eight connected goals that move each participant forward, from self-awareness to European opportunity.
Improve employability
Practical tools, knowledge and guidance that strengthen each participant's position in the labour market.
Develop an entrepreneurial mindset
Spot opportunities, turn ideas into projects and understand the basics of planning, finance and risk.
Strengthen confidence & resilience
Recognise your strengths, express your ideas and adapt to modern professional challenges.
Promote social entrepreneurship
See how enterprise can create positive social and environmental impact, not only financial profit.
Explore the circular economy
Sustainable models that reduce waste, reuse resources and create long-term community value.
Improve digital & AI skills
Hands-on with AI tools, CRM systems, project management, email automation and social media marketing.
Encourage intercultural cooperation
Build understanding, tolerance and solidarity through multicultural teamwork and shared experiences.
Connect to European opportunities
Discover programmes, networks and funding such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.
How we learn
Learning by doing
You will not spend ten days listening to traditional lectures. Y-Cycle is based on active participation, experimentation, teamwork and learning from each other.
Team-building challenges
Role-playing activities
Entrepreneurship simulations
Circular economy workshops
AI & digital tool labs
Project development sessions
Public speaking & pitching
Intercultural evenings
Outdoor activities
Reflection groups
Community challenges
Youthpass reflection
Digital innovation
Technology as a tool for opportunity
Digital tools are not the centre of Y-Cycle, they are practical instruments. You will explore how technology can support professional development, entrepreneurship and social initiatives, while discussing responsible and ethical use.
Artificial intelligence
Understand what AI can and cannot do, and where it adds real value.
CRM systems
Manage relationships, contacts and communities in an organised way.
Project management
Plan tasks, deadlines and teamwork with modern platforms.
Email automation
Save time and reach people with smart, well-timed messages.
Digital collaboration
Work together in real time, wherever your teammates are.
Social media marketing
Tell your story and grow an audience for your initiative.
Online research
Find, check and use reliable information effectively.
Presentation & pitching
Turn a concept into a clear, convincing pitch.
Throughout Y-Cycle we keep asking the important question: how do we use these tools responsibly and ethically, so technology serves people and communities rather than the other way around?
Programme
Ten days of learning, creation & connection
A programme overview that may be updated before the exchange. Drag or use the arrows to move through the days.
23 Sep · Arrival
Arrival Day
Arrival in Greece, transfer to Elafonisos, accommodation and an informal welcome.
Day 1
Welcome to Y-Cycle
Getting to know each other, group building, expectations and project introduction.
Day 2
Skills & self-awareness
Personal strengths, professional goals and confidence-building activities.
Day 3
Youth employment
Labour market challenges, employability and future skills.
Day 4
Entrepreneurship
From identifying a problem to developing a practical idea.
Day 5
Social entrepreneurship
Creating initiatives with social and environmental value.
Day 6
Circular economy
Sustainability, responsible resource use and circular business models.
Day 7
Digital tools & AI
Using modern digital tools to support projects and professional growth.
Day 8
Building solutions
International teams develop their own project or initiative concepts.
Day 9
Pitching & feedback
Teams present their ideas and improve them through peer feedback.
Day 10
Impact & Youthpass
Evaluation, follow-up actions, Youthpass reflection and closing activities.
4 Oct · Departure
Departure Day
Departure from Elafonisos and return travel.
Drag to explore the full programme · overview subject to change
Location & practical info
Learning on a Greek island
Y-Cycle takes place on Elafonisos, a small island in Laconia known for its turquoise waters, sandy beaches and unique natural landscape. Away from everyday routines, the island is an inspiring place to focus on learning, creativity, teamwork and meaningful international connections.
Where you'll stay
Glamping by the sea
Accommodation is in comfortable furnished tents in a natural setting close to the beach, a simple, sustainable way to live together as one group and stay connected to the island.
Exact site details confirmed before arrival
Camping
Simos Camping, by the famous Simos beach.
Accommodation
Everyone sleeps in their own single bed, two people per very comfortable glamping tent, with sheets, a sleeping bag and pillows provided.
Weather
Late September is usually sunny, around 21 to 25°C.
Getting there
A bus brings all participants together from Athens airport to Elafonisos.
Prepare for the experience
- Arrival: 23 September 2026
- Activities: 24 September to 3 October 2026
- Departure: 4 October 2026
- Simos Camping has a dedicated activity space, a supermarket, a restaurant, shared kitchens with fridges, a tennis court and an outdoor gym.
- Beach: the famous Simos beach is about 4 minutes on foot, and we will have a shaded area there.
- Town: the Chora is about 5 minutes by car; we will visit it at least twice on free afternoons.
Meals are served inside the campsite, at the restaurant, with the following lunch and dinner menu.
See the menuParticipants' travel costs are covered according to the rules of the Erasmus+ programme and the European distance calculator.
Please keep the originals of your travel tickets (bus, train and flight receipts, boarding passes, and so on), because without these documents we cannot process your reimbursement.
The activity runs from 23 September to 4 October. The 23rd of September and the 4th of October are the arrival and departure days, so they count as travel days.
Please book your flights to arrive at Athens airport by 13:00 at the latest on 23 September, and to depart from Athens after 15:00 on 4 October. There is a specific ferry to Elafonisos and we do not want to miss it.
Participants who land at Athens airport are transferred to Elafonisos by a bus leaving from the airport, together with the Greek participants travelling from Athens, all together.
Can I arrive earlier and leave later than the specified dates?
Only after consultation can you arrive up to two days before the programme and leave up to two days after it, to stay in Athens.
This is possible if:
- The tickets you find are cheaper
- You cover the accommodation and meal costs for the extra days
- The organisers have agreed to the arrangement
- Accommodation, meals and local transfers during the project are fully covered.
- International travel is reimbursed up to your Erasmus+ distance band cap (economy fares).
- Keep and submit all originals: electronic tickets, boarding passes (both ways), receipts for buses or trains, and any baggage receipts.
- Use taxis only when public transport is unavailable (keep a justification and receipt).
- Reimbursements are processed after we receive the complete documents.
Travel reimbursement per participant
- Hungary €239
- Portugal €325
- Romania €239
- Greece €56 · green travel
The Athens to Elafonisos transfer costs €70 per participant in total. Please take this into account so that your flight tickets stay within your reimbursement cap.
Greece is typically around 25°C and sunny in the daytime; nights can be cooler (we sleep in tents).
- Summer clothes, swimsuit & flip-flops
- Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, reusable water bottle, towel
- Comfortable closed shoes for activities
- 2 warm hoodies or jackets for the evenings
- A laptop (we will use it often during the activities)
- Personal medication
- Passport/ID and (if applicable) EHIC or insurance
Sheets, pillows and sleeping bags are already provided, so you do not need to bring them.
The community
One international learning community
Four countries, four teams, one shared experience. Everyone arrives with something to offer and leaves with something new.
🇬🇷 Greece
- Participants 8
- Group leader 1
- Organiser 1
🇵🇹 Portugal
- Participants 8
- Group leader 1
🇭🇺 Hungary
- Participants 8
- Group leader 1
🇷🇴 Romania
- Participants 8
- Group leader 1
0
37 people. 4 countries.
1 shared experience.
Partners
The organisations behind Y-Cycle
A partnership of four youth organisations, coordinated from Greece.
Community Cohorts
HostThe informal youth group responsible for hosting and implementing Y-Cycle in Greece.
Dínamo
Associação de Dinamização Sócio-Cultural. Editable
Fejlődő Fiatalok Egyesülete
Association for developing young people. Editable
Scout Society Romania
Youth and scouting organisation from Romania. Editable
Recognition
Erasmus+ & Youthpass
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme supporting education, training, youth and sport. Youth Exchanges allow young people from different countries to meet, learn together and develop skills through non-formal education.
Youthpass
Youthpass is the European recognition tool used in Erasmus+ youth projects. During Y-Cycle, participants reflect on what they learn and receive a Youthpass certificate documenting their learning journey.
FAQ
Good questions, clear answers
An Erasmus+ Youth Exchange bringing together 37 young people from Greece, Portugal, Hungary and Romania to explore entrepreneurship, digital innovation, social impact and the circular economy through non-formal education.
On the island of Elafonisos, in Laconia, Greece. We will stay at Simos Camping, by the famous Simos beach. See the campsite facilities.
Arrival is on 23 September 2026 and departure on 4 October 2026, with activities running from 24 September to 3 October 2026.
Young people selected by each partner organisation from Greece, Portugal, Hungary and Romania. Specific eligibility is confirmed by your organisation. Editable
English. You don't need to be perfect, you just need to be willing to communicate and take part.
No. Y-Cycle is designed for young people at different stages. Curiosity, openness and a willingness to participate matter far more than experience.
Yes. Accommodation, meals and programme activities are covered through the Erasmus+ programme.
Travel reimbursement is provided according to Erasmus+ rules and the limits communicated by the partner organisations. Keep all tickets and boarding passes. Editable
All travel tickets, boarding passes and receipts related to your journey, plus a valid identification document and your European Health Insurance Card.
Yes. Please share any dietary requirements or allergies with your group leader in advance so we can plan meals for everyone.
A European recognition tool for Erasmus+ youth projects. You will reflect on your learning and receive a Youthpass certificate documenting your journey.
You are encouraged to apply your new skills, build networks, create initiatives, share knowledge in your community as a multiplier and explore further European opportunities.
Your group leader is your first point of contact. An emergency contact for the exchange will be provided before departure. Editable
The next cycle starts with you
Join an international community of young people who want to develop their skills, transform ideas into action and create a more sustainable future.