Connecting Youth Action to the Connect4Impact Vision
On 19 October 2024, the city of Bari came alive with energy, enthusiasm, and ideas during Euforia Fest 2024 – Youth Mobility Day. The event, organised by the Puglia Region and ARTI Puglia with support from the Europiamo network, was part of the Connect4Impact project — a collaboration between Projekta Malta and Europiamo under Erasmus+ designed to connect young people and organisations for social impact.
At the heart of the festival was the activity “Next Stop: Youth Goals”, facilitated by Europiamo. This dynamic session invited young people to explore the EU Youth Goals, understand their real-life relevance, and discover how Erasmus+ opportunities can turn passion into action. It perfectly embodied Connect4Impact’s mission to strengthen youth participation and collaboration across Europe.
A Vibrant Celebration of Youth Participation
Euforia Fest gathered a diverse mix of participants — youth associations, student networks, NGOs, and social cooperatives — all united by one purpose: to empower young people through learning, inclusion, and mobility. Organisations such as Kreack, Terzo Millennio, ESN, Vulcanicamente, Startnet Youth, InCo Molfetta, Arcigay Taranto, Hermes Association, Link Association, A Modo Loro Social Cooperative, Tou Play, and Eurodesk created an engaging ecosystem of opportunities.
Each stand became a meeting point for meaningful conversations, offering visitors guidance on Erasmus+ programmes, internships, and volunteering experiences abroad. These encounters helped young people understand how mobility can directly support the Youth Goals — especially those focused on inclusion, quality learning, and active citizenship.
Workshops that Sparked Change
Among the day’s highlights, Europiamo’s “Next Stop: Youth Goals” workshop stood out as a clear favourite. Delivered twice due to high demand, it invited participants to explore how the EU Youth Goals can be achieved through collaboration, creativity, and the tools offered by Erasmus+. Many attendees admitted it was their first time hearing about these goals — a reminder of how essential initiatives like Connect4Impact are in bringing European opportunities closer to youth.
Another touching part of the day was the Living Library, where participants shared personal Erasmus+ journeys — from youth exchanges and solidarity projects to team volunteering. Two Connect4Impact Ambassadors from Europiamo shared heartfelt stories of growth and transformation, showing how mobility can change not just one’s perspective but one’s life.
Building Momentum for the Youth Goals
By the end of the day, Euforia Fest had done more than celebrate mobility; it had created a genuine space for youth dialogue and connection. The event captured the spirit of Connect4Impact — building networks, raising awareness, and encouraging young Europeans to engage with the EU Youth Strategy in real, practical ways.
As the music played and the festival drew to a close, the message was clear: the Youth Goals are not distant policy ideas — they are daily actions young people can take to shape a more inclusive and sustainable Europe.
Looking Ahead
Euforia Fest 2024 wasn’t just a celebration — it was a catalyst for future changemakers. Through the Next Stop: Youth Goals activity, Europiamo demonstrated how local action can feed into European priorities. The event showed that when institutions, networks, and young people work together — as they do through Connect4Impact — meaningful change is not just possible, it’s inevitable.
The next stop? A Europe where every young person knows their voice matters and their goals can truly make an impact.