Creative Youth Information Award category

European Day Cup / Ergometer Race

Title of the Project

European Day Cup / Ergometer Race

Organisation

TR054 Sakarya University

WEBSITE

https://www.instagram.com/saueurodesk

Project link

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJz8dbNhck/?igsh=MWYzdmFmaGQ3YjZ2Mg==

https://international.sakarya.edu.tr/tr/icerik/28329/154289/avrupa-gunu-kupasi-ergometre-yarisi

Project dates

2025-05-09

2025-05-09

What is it about?

The project was a large-scale sport-based youth information and participation initiative organised at Sakarya University under the coordination of the Eurodesk Contact Point and implemented on 9 May, Europe Day, to symbolically link youth engagement with European values and opportunities. Its main objective was to increase young people’s awareness of European youth programmes, strengthen access to youth information, and promote active citizenship through an innovative and attractive format.

The primary target group consisted of young people aged 18–30, mainly university students, including those with limited contact with formal youth information channels. Special focus was placed on first-time participants, sedentary students, and young people unfamiliar with European opportunities. Academic and administrative staff and local youth organisations were included as secondary target groups, ensuring broad community involvement. In addition, nearby secondary school students under 18 also participated, extending outreach to younger audiences and strengthening links between the university and local schools.

The main activity was a rowing ergometer sprint competition organised in a highly visible open campus area. In total, 883 young participants competed in 250-metre sprint races, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment that enabled equal participation regardless of sporting background or physical condition. The short-distance format lowered entry barriers and encouraged spontaneous involvement.

Parallel to the competition, a Eurodesk information area provided one-to-one youth information, guidance on Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps, and youth mobility opportunities, and distribution of youth-friendly materials. The project applied non-formal education, experiential learning, and peer-learning methods, using sport as a tool to attract attention and stimulate dialogue. Trained volunteers and experienced rowers supported participants and encouraged interaction.

By combining sport, creativity, and youth information on Europe Day, the project demonstrated an innovative, replicable, and youth-centred model for reaching large numbers of young people and increasing their engagement with European opportunities.

How is this project relevant to the specific category?

This initiative directly corresponds to the thematic category of Creative Youth Information, as it delivered youth information through an innovative, attractive, and non-traditional format. The event also opened pathways for young people to shift from sedentary lifestyles to active ones and to discover new opportunities through Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps by meeting and engaging through sport in an alternative social platform.

Instead of relying on conventional desk-based or classroom-style information provision, the project embedded Eurodesk youth information within a sport-based public event. The rowing ergometer competition acted as a creative entry point that naturally attracted young people and encouraged spontaneous participation. By linking physical activity with information on European opportunities, the project transformed youth information into an interactive and experiential process.

Creativity was reflected in both the method and the environment. The open campus race format, combined with short 250-metre sprint races, created a lively atmosphere that captured attention and curiosity. Eurodesk information was delivered through face-to-face dialogue, peer-to-peer interaction, and practical guidance, allowing young people to access information in a relaxed and youth-friendly setting. This approach increased the accessibility and comprehensibility of complex topics such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.

The choice of 9 May, Europe Day, further strengthened the creative dimension by symbolically connecting youth participation with European identity and values. European opportunities were not presented as abstract concepts but as concrete and reachable pathways linked to young people’s daily lives and interests.

Overall, the project demonstrated how youth information can be creatively designed to reach large audiences, stimulate interest, and support informed decision-making. By combining sport, visibility, and dialogue, the initiative contributed to more inclusive, attractive, and innovative youth information services, fully aligned with the Creative Youth Information category.

What was the impact of the project?

The project generated a significant and measurable impact on young people and the wider university community. For many of the 883 participants, this was their first direct interaction with Eurodesk and European youth opportunities, resulting in increased awareness of Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps, and mobility programmes.

At an individual level, young people experienced youth information in an active and engaging way. The competitive yet inclusive 250-metre sprint format encouraged participation, reduced hesitation, and created opportunities for informal conversation. Following the event, the Eurodesk Contact Point observed a noticeable increase in individual consultations and follow-up questions, especially regarding international mobility and volunteering.

At the community level, the project strengthened social interaction and a sense of belonging within the university. Students, staff, and local stakeholders shared a collective experience centred on sport and dialogue. The initiative also contributed to changing perceptions of youth information, demonstrating that it can be dynamic, creative, and youth-driven rather than purely administrative.

The symbolic organisation of the event on Europe Day reinforced European values such as participation, cooperation, and equal access to opportunities. In the longer term, the project motivated participants to engage more actively in sport, volunteering, and European programmes, supporting sustainable youth engagement.

Overall, the initiative fostered active citizenship, improved access to youth information, and created a positive and lasting impact on both individual participants and the university youth community.

The Sakarya University Eurodesk Contact Point was accredited by the Turkish National Agency in early 2025, and this event represented its first large-scale flagship activity. It significantly contributed to the recognition of Eurodesk within the university and across the city. Strong visibility through social media and campus-wide promotion increased awareness, built institutional credibility, and positioned the Contact Point as a key local youth information actor.

Did the project have any green focus?

The project incorporated a strong sustainability perspective aligned with Sakarya University’s Green Campus vision and its commitment to environmental responsibility within the global university community. Rowing ergometer activity represents a zero-emission, human-powered sport, promoting healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyles.

The event was organised within the university campus, encouraging participants to reach the venue by walking or cycling and reducing transport-related emissions. Printed materials were minimised in favour of reusable banners, digital communication, and face-to-face information. Existing equipment and infrastructure were used to avoid unnecessary resource consumption.

Environmental awareness was also integrated into interactions with participants by linking physical activity with sustainability and responsible citizenship. Through these measures, the project demonstrated that youth information and participation activities can be effectively combined with green values and institutional sustainability goals.

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

Eurodesk visibility was ensured through a strong multi-channel communication strategy. Eurodesk and EU visual identity were displayed on ergometers, banners, posters, and participant materials. A dedicated Eurodesk information stand was placed next to the race area for direct youth interaction. In cooperation with Serdivan Municipality, official event posters were displayed on billboards across the entire district, ensuring visibility beyond the university campus. Volunteers wore Eurodesk-branded items, and all announcements highlighted Eurodesk’s coordinating role. Holding the event on Europe Day further increased visibility of EU values and programmes. Digital visibility was reinforced through pre-event, live, and post-event social media content.

Project highlights

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJz8dbNhck/?igsh=MWYzdmFmaGQ3YjZ2Mg==

Your project on video

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT8qcm4jepz/?igsh=MWFpdTF1cnpsb2lxaw==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJe49NXtwbJ/?igsh=MXJtb3lycmwwdjdpYg==