From 29 June to 8 July 2026, the small village of Belvì, in the heart of Sardinia, became a place of meeting, discovery and sharing thanks to the Erasmus+ project “RAISE – Rural AI, Solidarity and Empowerment”.
For nine days, young people aged 13 to 17 from Romania, Estonia, Greece and Spain experienced an intercultural exchange together with young people from the local community, bringing new languages, stories, traditions and perspectives to a territory rich in identity and beauty.
RAISE was created with the aim of highlighting the role of young people in rural communities, promoting solidarity, active participation and the development of new skills through non-formal education. It was a journey designed to show that growth does not happen only in big cities, but can also start in small villages, where relationships and a sense of community have a special value.
Through workshops, collaborative activities, moments of dialogue and exploration of the local area, participants had the opportunity to learn from each other, overcome linguistic and cultural barriers, and build connections that go beyond geographical borders. But RAISE was much more than a simple international project: it was a meeting between different worlds. It was an opportunity for European young people to discover the culture, traditions and everyday life of Belvì, while the local community had the chance to open up to the world and welcome new perspectives.
The young people of Belvì played a fundamental role in this journey, becoming active protagonists of the exchange and showing how encounters with other cultures can begin even while staying in their own territory.
Here are the participants’ testimonies.
Anastasia
The Erasmus+ project experience in Belvì was an extraordinary opportunity for personal and professional growth. Living and working alongside young people from different European countries in a unique setting like Belvì promoted inclusion, the sharing of good practices and the enhancement of the local area. It was a perfect example of how European values can come to life in local communities.
Ludovica
Welcoming Erasmus participants to Belvì was a very beautiful and meaningful experience, also for us as local residents. At the beginning, we were curious to meet people from realities different from our own, but from the very first moments an atmosphere of sharing and openness was created.
Seeing young people from different cultures becoming interested in our traditions, our territory and our daily life made us feel proud of our village. We had the opportunity to share our habits, our history and our way of living, while at the same time learning a lot from them.
This experience reminded us how important it is to open ourselves to the world and welcome new people. The Erasmus participants brought enthusiasm, new ideas and a lot of energy, leaving a beautiful memory within our community. For us, it was a human and cultural enrichment that we hope can happen again in the future.
Ambra
Taking part in an Erasmus experience in my own country was very interesting and educational. Even though I did not travel abroad, I had the opportunity to meet young people from different countries and get in touch with different cultures, traditions and languages.
Emma
I live in Belvì and hosting Erasmus+ here was a wonderful experience. For nine days, my village was filled with young people from different nationalities, and we communicated only in English. Showing the place where I live to people from all over Europe was truly exciting.
Beatrice
My Erasmus experience was something truly special that I will always carry with me. In my small village, we had the opportunity to welcome young people from Estonia, Spain, Greece and Romania, and from the very beginning we created a wonderful connection.
Despite the differences in language, culture and habits, we managed to get to know each other, have fun together and create sincere bonds. I had a great time with them, made new friends and discovered how beautiful it is to exchange ideas with people who come from different backgrounds.
During those days, we shared unforgettable moments, laughter, experiences and many emotions. I became very close to some of them and felt part of a united group, where everyone had something special to share and teach.
This experience enriched me a lot: it helped me understand how important open-mindedness, curiosity towards others and the desire to meet new people are. Even though our time together passed quickly, it left a beautiful memory inside me, and I hope to keep these connections in the future.
Erasmus was a wonderful experience, full of emotions and discoveries, which I recommend to everyone because it allows you to grow, learn and live moments that are difficult to forget.
Andrea
I really enjoyed my Erasmus experience, and it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It allowed me to meet people from different countries and cultures, with whom I created beautiful friendships that I will carry with me into the future.
During this journey, I improved my communication skills, gained greater independence and learned how to adapt to new situations. Living in an international environment allowed me to broaden my horizons, both personally and culturally.
I would recommend this experience to everyone because it offers the opportunity to grow, challenge yourself and create unforgettable memories.
Maria
Hi, I just wanted to tell you that Erasmus was amazing.
I met incredible people, experienced things I will never forget, and grew so much.
Thank you for this incredible experience. I already miss everything ❤️, especially the people who became part of my heart and who I will miss so much.
RAISE reminds us that we do not need big cities to create meaningful connections. Sometimes all it takes is a small village, curious people, and the willingness to meet each other to transform a simple experience into a memory that lasts forever.
🌍 Because Europe is not just a place on the map: it is made of people, stories and encounters that help us grow together.
