Learning, sharing, and connecting during a week of wellbeing in Trakai

In March , something happened that made our project truly come alive in Trakai, Lithuania. Young people from across Europe came together for our first Feelin’ Alive youth training seminar, organised by our five partner organisations with the support of the Erasmus+ programme. With the help of our amazing partners - INCA Rouen, TAVO Europa, Carpe Diem, and Psientífica - we turned our beautiful lakeside villa into a hub of learning, growth, and connection, facilitated by the experienced team from TAVO Europa.

The training focused on all the ways we can take care of our wellbeing - both our own mental and physical health, mindfulness, self-awareness, and more - and not least how we can better support the wellbeing of others. But of course, this wasn’t your average classroom-style course. Instead, utilising our non-formal learning methodologies, it was packed with creative activities, hands-on exercises, and open discussions that brought ideas to life. Whether it was practicing relaxation techniques, brainstorming ways to stay healthy, or putting ideas to practice in the Healthy Eating Lab, every session felt energizing and practical.

One of the coolest parts of the week was the Wellbeing Portfolio. Starting out being an unfamiliar booklet, it soon became something personal for everyone involved. As the days went on, participants filled the Wellbeing Portfolio and their notebooks with reflections, ideas, and goals to help them keep growing after the training. By the end, these portfolios were filled with so much inspiration that they practically overflowed.

Another highlight of the program was the Wellbeing Literacy Lab, an interactive space where participants explored both the theory behind wellbeing literacy and practical tools to navigate it as young individuals. Through engaging sessions, they learned how to recognize and communicate about their wellbeing needs while also discovering strategies to build resilience. The lab empowered participants to better understand their own wellbeing and how to support it in their daily lives, creating a foundation they could carry forward with confidence.

But the learning didn’t stop there. Something even more powerful happened when young people from different countries and cultures came together. From shared meals to group projects to late-night chats, everyone found themselves learning from each other in unexpected ways. The differences in language, traditions, and backgrounds only made the experience more exciting. With the support of the local host organisation, TAVO Europa, and everyone in the 5 international project team chipping in, our incredible project partners helped create an environment where these connections could thrive, turning a group of strangers into a community.

The evenings and late night chats in Trakai were just as special as the sessions, sharing cultural insights and getting to know our similarities and differences across borders. There was laughter, storytelling, and those little moments where barriers just seemed to melt away and real connection flourished. As always, this was a reminder that no matter where we’re from, there’s always something that brings us together.

During the implementation of the Feelin’ Alive project, we’re becoming strong believers that wellbeing isn’t just about individuals - it’s about building strong, supportive communities. This week in Trakai showed exactly what happens when young people come together to learn, grow, and connect. Everyone left with new insights or tools, new friendships, and a renewed sense of what it means to truly take care of ourselves and each other.

As these young changemakers head home, they carry more than just their Wellbeing Portfolios. They bring back fresh perspectives, strong connections, and a determination to keep spreading what they’ve learned. The ripple effects of this training are just beginning to take shape, soon carrying us to the next step of the Feelin’ Alive project where a group of youth workers will gather to collect insights and get hands-on. We can’t wait to see what we will achieve when young people and youth workers in Europe work closely together to come up with ideas and solutions in this area.

Here’s to a week we’ll never forget and to the exciting next steps that lie ahead. Until next time, Lithuania!