Be present.Be active.

By the end of the first day, the team bonded through various non-formal education games and energizers including playing together the activity Mission (Im)possible, where everyone participated to fulfill a list of challenges.

Through fun activities and energizers, participants got to know each other, fostering conversations that extend beyond mindfulness into personal connections. This helped the group feel more comfortable and connected.

Mindfulness emerged as a recurring theme, with participants sharing diverse interpretations and applications. The day highlighted how mindfulness can be integrated into daily life in various ways, such as mindful listening, which was explored and proved to be unexpectedly impactful.

On the second day, participants delved into self-discovery by exploring the concept Ikigai.

The focus expanded to active citizenship through the LifeComp framework, a European tool that emphasizes how self-awareness and mindful communication lay the foundation for meaningful community engagement. Techniques like the 4 F’s and the sandwich feedback method were introduced to improve how feedback is given and received. These were practiced during a mindful massage session, where small groups exchanged feedback to deepen emotional awareness and connection.

The day’s highlight was the intercultural night, hosted by the Italian and Portuguese teams which concluded the day with a lot of fun like playing quizzes, sharing traditional food, and teaching local dances.

On the third day the group faced sessions on misinformation and mindful thinking which engaged the participants. Everyone played a telephone game to showcase the distortion of messages through verbal communication. This was followed by discussions on disinformation, misinformation, echo chambers and propaganda.

The Olympic games activity served as a break from the seriousness of the topic before it and fostered team building and camaraderie in the group. The day ended with a group meditation on the grass offering a heartwarming end to the activities.

After some days full of activities the group had a well-deserved relaxation day. Everyone had the chance to explore the beautiful Meteora sight, where history and nature blend in an unforgettable landscape.

On the fifth day of the “Be present, be active” Erasmus+ project, the group started with a fun blanket game, where teams raced to guess each other’s names. This simple activity highlighted a key lesson that community building and large-scale change begin with knowing and connecting with those around us.

The focus then shifted to youth participation and democracy. In groups, participants designed their own country from scratch, debating everything from flags to voting rights, leadership elections, and fairness in governance. These theoretical discussions were grounded in reality through an exploration of the student protests in Serbia, reinforcing that a fair democracy isn’t just about rules but it also demands ongoing effort and active citizen participation to protect those rights.

This tied directly into conversations about young people’s role in their communities. By examining issues like voting and institutional trust, the group identified challenges in their home countries and brainstormed actionable solutions.

The morning began with a Capture the Flag match. The Portuguese team then led engaging activities centered on stress management. A Ninja game served as an energizer, while the Mandala game unleashes creativity and relaxation.

A standout moment was the Agree/Disagree activity, where opinions sparked lively and often humorous debates, blending certainty with confusion. The final exercise was a role-playing game, where groups navigated given roles of fixed characters and opinions until reaching a consensus.

In the afternoon participants were free to explore Kozani on their own, some of them indulging in what local pastry shops have to offer.

During the Digital Citizenship workshop participants brainstormed rules for the first telephone device for children at different ages. Later, the group discussed the ISTE framework where key areas of digital citizenship were presented such as responsibility and respect, safety and privacy, media literacy and digital footprint.

The afternoon explored the topic of online engagement through practical content creation workshops and a game for password brainstorming.

The group embarked on a surprise visit to Parga and Ioannina in Epirus, Greece.

Parga, a picturesque seaside town, which captivated everyone. Some brave participants even went for a swim in the Ionian Sea. Though most returned sunburnt, others opted for a leisurely stroll and refreshments.

Next, the group explored Ioannina, they soaked in the views from Litharitsia and wandered through the castle’s traditional streets. A delicious meal of Greek gyros concluded the visit before the bus returned to Eani.

Despite the long day, it was a refreshing break which offered immersion in Greek history and culture.

This was the final day of the “Be Present, Be Active” project in Eani, Kozani. The ten-day journey concluded with a mix of emotions, as the group reflected on the wonderful community they had built.

The day began with an outdoor game on the field, filling the group with energy and smiles. The first session followed, focusing on the CiviKos project and how to share the knowledge and experiences gained with others.

The most emotional part of the day unfolded in the afternoon, as participants openly shared their feelings, gratitude, and kind words with one another. Secret friends were revealed, and the group spent the rest of the day playing volleyball, reflecting on the journey, and savoring their last moments together.

Though everyone would return to their daily lives on the next day, the connections and memories will endure.