The taste of Europe

Creative Youth Information Award category

Organisation

Viljandi Municipality Youth Center

Country

Estonia

WEBSITE

https://www.instagram.com/viljandivallanoortekeskus/

Project link

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5-vv7jNwCJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

General Overview

As part of European Youth Week, the project “Maitsev Euroopa” (April 12–19, 2024) brought together 102 young people from 12 youth centres across Estonia to explore European cultures through cooking and to learn about Erasmus+ opportunities. Participants came from Viljandimaa, Jõgevamaa, Saaremaa, Valgamaa, and Pärnumaa, making the event a nationwide collaboration.

Each youth centre prepared traditional dishes from different European countries, researched their chosen country, and discussed cultural aspects related to food and ingredient availability. Through this engaging and hands-on approach, young people not only gained cultural awareness but also discussed mobility opportunities, such as Erasmus+ and Eurodesk programmes.

The Viljandi valla noortekeskus team (9 members) played a key role in coordinating the action, creating a registration system and facilitating participation through the Eurodesk network. The event’s impact was extended through social media engagement, with three video clips shared under #viljandimaaeurodesk and #eurodesk, reaching 1,839 views.

The project received positive feedback, and its success inspired Eurodesk’s international team to consider implementing a similar initiative on a European scale in 2025.

Thematic Category Correspondence

(50 points max)

How does this initiative (project, event, material) correspond to the thematic category

The project fits into Creative Youth Information, as it combined culinary exploration, cultural research, and youth mobility awareness in an engaging and interactive way. Instead of traditional lectures or promotional materials, the project allowed young people to experience international cultures firsthand through food preparation and storytelling. This practical, hands-on approach made learning about Erasmus+ and Eurodesk programmes more relevant and memorable. Creativity was at the heart of the initiative, as participants: Researched their assigned country, developing information-seeking and analytical skills. Prepared traditional dishes, applying practical knowledge and teamwork. Shared their experiences through videos and social media, increasing visibility and outreach. The use of digital storytelling (video clips, hashtags, social media posts) ensured that the project’s message extended beyond participants, reaching a wider audience online. The project’s success has inspired discussions at Eurodesk’s international level, demonstrating its potential as a model for creative youth engagement across Europe.

Impact

(30 points max)

How did your project impact young people / your community?

The project had a significant impact on both the young participants and the broader community: For young participants: They gained cultural awareness by researching and cooking European dishes. They learned how challenging it can be to find traditional ingredients, leading to discussions about local vs. imported food. They discovered Erasmus+ opportunities in a practical, relatable way, encouraging future participation. For youth workers and the community: Collaboration between youth centres strengthened national and local networks. Eurodesk multipliers felt a stronger sense of community, as 6 multipliers received recognition for their contributions. The project boosted Eurodesk visibility, reaching a broader audience through social media videos. The positive feedback from participants and organisers sparked interest in scaling up the initiative to a European level, showing its long-term impact on youth engagement.

Green Focus

(10 points max)

Did your project have any green focus and/or did you implement any eco-friendly measures when organising it?

Minimal food waste: Ingredients were carefully planned to avoid excess waste. Use of real dishes: Youth centres followed green principles by avoiding disposable plates and cups. Proper waste management: Bio-waste and recycling were encouraged, ensuring proper disposal.

Creative Youth Information Award category