Creative Youth Information Award category

Art Meets Mobility: The Eurodesk Freeze Challenge (Erasmus Days Creative Reels)

Title of the Project

Art Meets Mobility: The Eurodesk Freeze Challenge (Erasmus Days Creative Reels)

Organisation

Gençlik Akademisi

WEBSITE

https://www.instagram.com/genclikakademisiorg

Project link

http://genclikakademisi.org/event/sanat-ve-mobilite-bulusuyor-eurodesk-freeze-challenge-erasmusdays-timetomove/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQjOeXsjUfd/?img_index=1

Project dates

2025-10-14

2025-10-15

What is it about?

On 15 October, we organised a creative youth information activity within the framework of Erasmus Days and Time to Move, with the participation of Bayburt University Fine Arts (Painting) Department students and volunteers from the Youth Academy Association. The main goal of this initiative was to introduce Erasmus+ and Eurodesk opportunities to young people beyond traditional presentations, using artistic and digital methods that truly match their interests, while also creating a productive space where they could express themselves. In a city like Bayburt, where access to international opportunities is relatively limited, we aimed to help young people see these programmes not as “distant”, but as realistic and reachable options.

Our main target group was students from the Painting Department of Bayburt University, supported by Youth Academy volunteers throughout the process. The activity was implemented in two main parts. First, we delivered an Erasmus+ and Eurodesk information session, discussed young people’s questions, and explained how they can access and apply for available opportunities. Afterwards, we organised a hands-on workshop that placed young people’s creativity at the centre of the experience. During this workshop, students designed and produced two large posters dedicated to Erasmus Days and Time to Move, and visually adapted them to the event environment. Throughout the poster-making process, teamwork and creative thinking skills were actively encouraged and strengthened.

The most enjoyable and eye-catching part of the day was the Reels content we created through the “Freeze” trend. Young people developed their own mini scenarios, took the recordings themselves, and produced a strong digital output that could serve both as a memory and as an effective dissemination tool. In this way, the activity became a youth information initiative that was not only attended by young people, but also led and created by them.

How is this project relevant to the specific category?

This initiative strongly matches the “Creative Youth Information” category because it goes beyond traditional information sessions and delivers Eurodesk and Erasmus+ opportunities through youth-friendly, artistic, and digital methods. Instead of only sharing information in a classic format, we designed the activity to help young people experience the message, internalise it, and communicate it in their own language. In a city like Bayburt, where access to international opportunities is relatively limited, we wanted young people to see Erasmus+ not as something distant, but as a realistic and reachable option.

A key creative element of the project was the active role of the participants. Bayburt University Painting Department students were not passive listeners; they became co-creators of the activity. During the workshop, students designed and produced two large posters under the Erasmus Days and Time to Move themes, turning youth information into a visual and artistic output. This process supported teamwork, creativity, and self-expression while keeping the focus on Eurodesk and Erasmus+ opportunities.

The most engaging part of the activity was the Reels content created through the “Freeze” trend. Young people developed their own short scenes, organised the recordings, and transformed the energy of the event into a digital product that can be shared and reused. This approach made the information more memorable and appealing, especially for young audiences who naturally consume content through social media platforms. As a result, the activity turned youth information into a creative and interactive experience, while also strengthening dissemination beyond the event itself.

Overall, the project reflects the core logic of Creative Youth Information: using out-of-the-box methods, peer-to-peer communication, and youth-led content creation to make opportunities more visible and accessible. By combining art-based production with a popular digital format, we increased both engagement and the potential reach of Eurodesk messages among young people.

What was the impact of the project?

This project created a strong social impact by supporting young people’s access to international opportunities in Bayburt, one of the smallest and most disadvantaged cities in Türkiye. Geographical isolation, limited social and cultural activities, fewer youth services, and economic constraints reduce young people’s exposure to Erasmus+ and similar programmes, so many assume mobility is “not for people like us.” In this context, we engaged 65 participants from Bayburt University’s Painting Department and Youth Academy Association volunteers in an Erasmus Days and Time to Move activity that combined youth information with creative practice. We delivered clear Erasmus+ and Eurodesk guidance, answered questions, and replaced uncertainty with concrete next steps. The impact went beyond awareness. Young people turned information into action through creative production. During the workshop, participants designed and produced two large posters under the Erasmus Days and Time to Move themes and displayed them in the event area as highly visible communication materials. This hands-on process strengthened teamwork, communication, creative thinking, and problem-solving, while helping participants internalise the messages through visual storytelling. In a place where opportunities to exhibit youth voices are limited, creating and presenting these posters was empowering and built pride, ownership, and confidence. The strongest multiplier effect came from youth-led dissemination. Using the popular “Freeze” trend, participants created mini scenes, recorded the content themselves, and transformed the day’s energy into a Reels video that speaks directly to peers. This digital output extended the impact beyond a single day and beyond the venue, making the Eurodesk message shareable, reusable, and attractive to other young people in Bayburt. Overall, the project increased opportunity awareness, strengthened skills and motivation, and expanded Eurodesk visibility on-site and online, encouraging more young people to explore and apply. For participants, it was the first time they created something public about Europe, and felt included.

Did the project have any green focus?

Although the main focus of our activity was not directly environmental, we still aimed to follow an eco-friendly approach during the planning and implementation process. We kept printed materials to a minimum and shared most of the information through digital presentations, which helped reduce paper consumption and supported more sustainable communication. During the workshop, the two large Erasmus Days and Time to Move posters created by the students were designed to be reusable rather than single-use, and we plan to use them again in future activities. We also paid attention to using materials responsibly and avoiding unnecessary waste throughout the event. In short, we integrated small but meaningful environmentally friendly practices into the activity and encouraged a more sustainable way of working.

How did you ensure Eurodesk's visibility in your project?

We planned the activity within the frameworks of Erasmus Days and Time to Move, introducing Eurodesk to young people as a reliable youth information network that supports access to international opportunities. During the event, we provided information about Erasmus+ and Eurodesk opportunities and answered participants’ questions. In addition, two large Erasmus Days / Time to Move posters designed by the students were displayed in the event area, ensuring strong visual visibility. Through the “Freeze” trend, we created a Reels video that transformed the energy of the activity and youth engagement into digital content. The video and social media posts helped the promotion.

Project highlights

http://genclikakademisi.org/event/sanat-ve-mobilite-bulusuyor-eurodesk-freeze-challenge-erasmusdays-timetomove/

Your project on video

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSExrvhiCnU/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSHMKksjSQ0/