All Different Yet the Same

Summer 2025 was very busy for Ecocompartimos. With our partner organizations from respective countries we implemented Erasmus+ Youth exchange project for participants from Spain, Georgia and Morocco. 21 youngsters from different backgrounds, cultures and languages came together to spend two weeks in Spain and in Georgia. The topic of the youth exchange was Human rights with the primary objective to raise awareness of young people on their rights through intercultural experience.

During two weeks of exchange we covered specific themes that were relevant to the needs and interests of participants and ongoing issues in their countries, such as : Freedom of self-development and self-expression; Right to education; Empowerment of women and gender equality; Right to live in a healthy environment; Protection of minors from the dangers of the internet; Human rights during conflicts and long-term effect of those conflicts on future generations.

We spent these two weeks learning and exploring. Learning about the rights that belong to us just because we are human, learning about each others' cultures, learning about connection and friendships. We discovered the beauty of Spanish village Jorquera and a mountainous region Bakuriani in Georgia.

Our group in Jorquera, Spain, July 2025

Borjomi, Georgia, August 2025

Here is a small part of what the participants had to say about their experience:

Barbare from Georgia :

"The time that I spent in this youth exchange was the best time of my life. Everyone there was so loving, friendly and kind. Those two weeks really changed the way I view most things today mostly about our rights. The activities that we did, including, theatres, making posters, videos and many more, helped me realize that all problems that are around us can be solved and overcome"

Ferdaous from Morocco:

"After participating in this program, I realized my importance to society and felt that the world truly is a small village, separated only by language and culture. The cultural exchange helped me overcome many challenges and meet new, remarkable friends. This experience also opened a door for me to understand and embrace different cultures, and to discover the struggles some people go through, especially regarding the denial of certain rights. I am grateful for this wonderful experience"

Ninia from Georgia:

"I loved the activities of Ted talk; Cultural nights, River beach, Discussions, Self-reflection, Creativity party, Treasure hunting, Theatre and Creating Videos. After the project, I became more conscious of global human rights issues and actively applied this awareness in my daily life by promoting it to people around me, especially to my younger brother for whom I think is crucial to have this kind of viewpoint from the young age"

Antonio from Spain:

"I loved the activity of environmental clean up in a forest in Georgia, energizers, canoeing and swimming in Jorquera. I learnt more English, how to work in group and how to take care of the environment"

Raja from Morocco:

"I really enjoyed the youth exchange; it was a magical experience for me. It’s not just a trip, it’s a lifestyle and a true space for learning where I learned and discovered new cultures and amazing people. It was a great opportunity to open my mind and grow as a person. I learned how to be more creative and passionate and I felt I had the space to express myself freely and connect with others"

Anouar from Morocco:

"I really enjoyed this cultural exchange. I learned a lot especially about discovering the cultures of other countries and finding common points between us despite the differences in language and traditions"

Naima from Morocco:

"Taking part in the youth exchange was an amazing experience. I especially enjoyed visiting historical sites, walking in nature, and stargazing. The program made me more open-minded and curious about other cultures. I learned to appreciate differences, express myself confidently and value learning from others"

Amelia from Spain:

"Sharing my story during the self-expression activities made me feel liberated and heard. I learned that being brave and open can inspire others and that we all face similar challenges. I also realized how important it is to live freely without fear of judgment and this experience helped me become more confident. Through discussions and theatre about gender equality, I reflected on how much still needs to change and how powerful it is when both men and women work together towards equality"

Ghizlan from Morocco:

"I really enjoyed the cultural exchange activities and group discussions. They allowed me to learn about other cultures and share mine with others. I also liked the creative activities that encouraged teamwork and communication. Those moments helped me feel connected and inspired"

Marta from Spain:

"In my opinion this youth exchange has opened my and made me aware of situations that occur in other countries that are not so far from my reality. This way I have been able to hear other points of view and adopt an open-minded attitude. Also, discussing diverse topics in English have enriched my second language and given me more confidence to speak in front of other people"

Yassmine from Morocco:

"After the youth exchange I became more aware of the importance of Human Rights and respect in daily life. I started applying what I learned by treating people with more kindness and understanding. I also talked with my classmates about the value of equality and respect. Even if it’s a small thing, I believe these actions can make a positive change around me"

Teo from Spain:

"After the youth exchange I became more interested in the topic of human rights. I started sharing some ideas and experiences with friends and people around me. It made me more aware of certain issues and I try to pay more attention to how we treat others and respect everyone’s rights in daily life"

Irakli from Georgia:

"I learned lot of things connected to human rights, I boosted my communication skills, I learned about other countries’ cultures, got to meet people from abroad and progressed my English knowledge too"

Nini from Georgia:

"The environmental clean-up activities were very meaningful, as they connected what we learned about the right to live in a healthy environment to real action. I also loved the cultural evenings, when we shared our traditions, music, and food — they helped us bond and celebrate our differences"

Ecocompartimos,