Key Project Details
The "Sharp Skills, Bright Future" Youth Exchange took place from 23 September to 1 October 2023 in Sâmbăta de Sus, located in Brașov County, Romania.
The project involved 40 young participants from Romania, Latvia, Portugal, Spain, and Hungary, accompanied by 2 group leaders per country and guided by an experienced facilitator.
The initiative was coordinated by Cloud Five (Romania), in partnership with:
Faktor Foundation (Hungary)
Yo Dagne (Latvia)
Palavras Infinitas - Núcleo de Inclusão, Comunicação e Media (Portugal)
Sonríe a Europa (Spain)
Each partner organization contributed to participant preparation, support during the mobility, and dissemination of project results at local and national levels.
Objectives and Activities
The project had three main objectives:
To develop the skills of 40 young people aged 18–25 to build a professional CV and apply for jobs confidently.
To familiarize participants with the job application process and multicultural teamwork, using Hofstede’s intercultural dimensions.
To create a digital support platform for networking and job searching, helping at least 50% of participants secure employment.
Over nine days, participants engaged in a program full of non-formal education activities, including icebreakers, team-building, brainstorming sessions, simulations, open discussions, and teamwork exercises.
The early days of the exchange focused on introducing participants to the Erasmus+ program and building team spirit. Later sessions moved into job-market skills, including workshops on creating CVs, writing cover letters, preparing for job interviews, building LinkedIn profiles, public speaking, and understanding business operations.
Participants also tackled time management challenges, explored Hofstede's cultural dimensions for working in multicultural teams, and carried out real-time job searches and applications using LinkedIn and other platforms.
A city visit to Brașov was included, during which teams completed entrepreneurial and multilingual challenges, helping them apply their new skills in a real-world setting.
The project concluded with final reflections, a Youthpass ceremony, and the creation of a booklet summarizing key learnings.
Why the Project Was Implemented
The "Sharp Skills, Bright Future" project was created to address the growing challenge of youth employability across Europe. As more companies move toward remote and hybrid work models, young people are entering the job market earlier, often without sufficient preparation. Many lack strong CVs, interview skills, or understanding of multicultural work environments — crucial elements for succeeding today.
The project responded to alarming EU youth unemployment rates, especially in Romania, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, and Latvia, where youth unemployment was notably high. It was also designed in line with the EU's legislative priorities for 2023–2024 and the European Youth Goals, promoting quality employment, connection with the EU, and opportunities for youth through education and support networks.
By offering structured learning experiences and practical skill development, "Sharp Skills, Bright Future" aimed to empower young people with the tools needed to successfully transition from education to the job market.
Results and Impact
"Sharp Skills, Bright Future" had a meaningful impact at personal, professional, and community levels.
Over half of the participants found employment within six months of the project, directly attributing their success to the skills gained during the exchange. Participants also reported stronger teamwork skills, improved English communication, enhanced critical thinking, and greater self-confidence.
Tangible outputs of the project included:
A project video capturing key moments during the mobility.
A project booklet offering practical advice for young job seekers.
Customized project T-shirts worn during and after the exchange.
Social media coverage, including a viral reel that reached over 8,000 views.
Dissemination events in each partner country, sharing knowledge with wider youth communities.
Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the practical value of the sessions and the welcoming, supportive environment created during the exchange.
