Erasmus+ Youth Exchange · Completed March 2026
Thirty-four young people from Greece, Spain, Bulgaria and Romania spent nine days in the historic castle town of Monemvasia, learning entrepreneurship the old way: with their hands, from the land, and from each other.
Monemvasia, Laconia, Greece · 4 to 12 March 2026
See the journey About the project"Make it by your own" was an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange organised by Young Guardians, an informal group of young people from Greece. From 4 to 12 March 2026, it brought together 34 participants aged 21 to 27 from Greece, Spain, Bulgaria and Romania in Monemvasia, a remote and historic corner of Laconia in the Peloponnese, far from the technological storm of the big cities most of them call home.
The exchange offered a different lens on everyday life and enterprise. Through practical, experiential learning, participants explored how sustainable and green entrepreneurship can grow out of local history, culture and agricultural tradition: from weaving and wool to wine, honey and olive oil. Each national group contributed seven participants and a team leader, with two coordinators from the Greek hosting team guiding the programme.
The central aim was to give young people from large European cities a new perspective on daily life and enterprise, and the confidence to build something of their own.
Strengthening employability and social interaction among young Europeans.
Promoting sustainable business and the social economy, especially in the often-overlooked rural sector.
Raising awareness of the value of agricultural production and where our food really comes from.
Supporting young people from remote areas or facing social and economic obstacles, and guaranteeing their full participation.
Developing entrepreneurial skills and competences that combine new ideas with traditional know-how.
Bringing economic, social and environmental value to the host area by showcasing good practices from across Europe.
Building respect between cultures and strong transnational networks for future cooperation.
Reducing the project's footprint, including through green travel, and cultivating lasting environmental consciousness.
7 participants, 1 team leader and 2 coordinators.
Contact: kyriakakos@younguardians.gr
7 participants and 1 team leader from the municipality of Villajoyosa.
7 participants and 1 team leader, travelling by green means of transport.
7 participants and 1 team leader, travelling by green means of transport.
A journey through the crafts, flavours and traditions of Laconia. Each day was a live case study in sustainable, local entrepreneurship.
Results from the evaluation forms submitted by the participants at the end of the exchange.
Erasmus+ Youth Exchange · Project No. 2025-1-EL02-KA152-YOU-000299634
This project was funded with the support of the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme, with the support of the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation (Ι.ΝΕ.ΔΙ.ΒΙ.Μ.), the Greek National Agency. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.