Between July 23 and 31, 2025, the Training Course “Innovation in Action” was held, bringing together 18 youth workers and young people from many different countries such as Greece, Turkey, North Macedonia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, and, of course, Romania and Bulgaria.

All participants in the training course had to spend almost 10 days together figuring out new innovative and proven methods for facilitating non-formal education. This Erasmus+ project took place in the city of Predeal, Romania. The organizers of this project are our trusted partners from Asociația Se Poate.

Podobri Foundation was represented in this beneficial project by two wonderful young people – Monika Stefanova, co-founder of the Foundation, and Christopher Petrov, an inspiring and active young man from Shumen! 

Chris shared his impressions of the training course by answering a few questions:

What was the most surprising moment during your participation in the project?

“When I think about surprises, what immediately comes to mind is the enormous diversity of experiences and differences between people. Although there were only about 20 of us, everyone had a unique life story, and when I heard about it, I gained a whole new perspective on the world.”

How did you feel on the first day among strangers from different countries?

“Every time I meet complete strangers, I expect to feel a little nervous. This time was an exception—the opportunity to get to know each other gradually through activities and games completely eliminated any negative feelings in the process.”

Do you have a specific memory or event from the training that you will never forget?

“I will never forget many moments from the training, but if I had to choose just one, it would be when people I didn’t know a few days ago shared and sang together.”

What did being part of an international group give you – how did it change your way of thinking?

“When you are constantly surrounded by people from the same environment, you develop a habit that makes you assume what the other person is going through – a kind of prejudice. Meeting and working with the international group showed me how important it is to first get to know and listen to a person, rather than rushing to make assumptions.”

Was there anything challenging for you—and how did you overcome it?

“During the training sessions, I noticed that the new information was overwhelming and I couldn’t remember enough, even though I wanted to. I managed by focusing on the most important things and taking notes so that I could go back to the content later.”

If you had to describe the whole experience in three words, what would they be?

“Unique, acquaintances, memories.”

What friendships or contacts did you make, and what do they mean to you today?

“I made many contacts in different countries, some of whom I am still in touch with. It’s incredible for me to know that I can go to a foreign country and still have someone I know there. My goal is to see some of them again one day.”

What would you say to a young person who is hesitant to apply for an Erasmus+ project?

“The biggest mistake you can make is not joining an Erasmus+ project sooner!”

How would you like this experience to influence your future, personally or professionally?

“I think this training influenced me even before I went, when I learned about the topic of  non-formal learning . It is becoming increasingly popular because it is extremely effective. Reading about it and working with it in practice during the training made me think about how I could make my teaching more interesting, fun, and interactive by adding elements of non-formal learning.”

The Training Course “Innovation in Action” is funded by the “Erasmus+: Youth in Action” programme of the European Commission.