Summary

Get ready to immerse yourself in a powerful journey of inclusion, diversity, and belonging. Crossroads of Cultures is your opportunity to share your story, embrace differences, and build a community where every identity is valued and every voice is heard.

Through interactive workshops, creative collaborations, and open exchanges, we’ll explore how our unique experiences shape our perspectives, how empathy bridges differences, and how embracing diversity can create stronger, more connected communities.

This program is all about non-formal learning—expect hands-on activities, open dialogue, and a safe, welcoming space where everyone can express themselves freely. Whether you’re participating in storytelling circles, preparing inclusive activities, or connecting over shared meals, each moment invites reflection, empowerment, and meaningful connection.

Join us in an inspiring international setting where diversity is celebrated, inclusion is lived, and lasting friendships are formed. Let’s learn, celebrate, and grow—together at the Crossroads of Cultures!

What to Expect

Networking

You will meet a lot of participants from different countries.

Non-formal Education

All our methods are non-formal: That means you will learn by playing and trying.

No boring lectures.

Intercultural Dialogue

You will learn about different cultures from partner countries. And taste their food!

Participant Profile

  • Residents or citizens from any of these countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia, Romania, Portugal, Lithuania, Serbia.

  • Optimal age range: 16-22 years old

  • Available to attend the whole duration of the program and participate in all the sessions.

  • Motivated to dive into the world of inclusion and diversity, learn about cultures, and meet people from different backgrounds.

  • Open-minded and willing to help.

  • Expresses a willingness to disseminate the training and its results to other groups of young people.

  • Currently not receiving any funds from the European Union (e.g.: participating in an Erasmus exchange program within University).

Location and Venue

The program will be hosted in Bodrogkeresztúr at the Betlehem Evangélikus Pihenőház in a breath-taking area of Hungary called Tokaj. Participants will be accommodated in shared rooms, housing 4-6 individuals, and the room assignment will be based on international diversity and separated by gender.

In addition, each participant will be served three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Participants’ dietary preferences should be provided prior to the activity, during the application process, in order to ensure meals are prepared accordingly.

Activity Schedule

  • Day 1-2: Welcome and team building

    We will focus on team-building activities to help everyone get to know each other better. Through topic-related fun games and interactive sessions, we will create a friendly and cooperative atmosphere, setting the stage for a productive and enjoyable program.

  • Day 3-9: Exploring inclusion, diversity and our cultures

    Over the course of these seven days, we’ll dive into the power of inclusion and diversity, exploring how our different backgrounds, experiences, and identities shape who we are—both as individuals and as a global community.

    Participants will take part in interactive workshops, team challenges, and group activities that celebrate individuality, foster empathy, and build bridges through shared experiences. Together, we’ll reflect on how identity, values, and lived experiences influence our perspectives and interactions with the world around us.

    Through storytelling, creative expression, collaborative projects, and open discussions, we’ll discover how embracing diversity strengthens communities and how inclusive spaces empower everyone to thrive. This week is about recognizing differences, finding common ground, and learning from one another in a respectful and supportive environment.

    Get ready for a week full of connection, personal growth, empowerment, and empathy—where every voice matters and every story is valued.

  • Day 9: Reflection and celebration

    We will wrap up the project by outlining future dissemination activities, reflecting on our experiences, and assessing the program’s impact. We will distribute Youthpass certificates and celebrate the achievements and memories made throughout the exchange with a closing ceremony.

Travel

All flight, train, and bus tickets for this activity will be purchased and organized by our organization.

For flights, the fare includes only the most basic option, which permits one small backpack to be carried under the seat. Please note that there are no guarantees that participants from Portugal will travel from the nearest airport. Those traveling from Portugal may depart together from Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon.

The official travel dates for this activity are June 11th and June 21st, but participants from certain, further locations, may need to begin their journey a day earlier or return a day later due to travel logistics. Therefore if you foresee any scheduling conflicts on June 10th or June 22nd, please let us know in your application.

Each country will have up to two main designated meeting points, where participants will gather to begin their journey. Participants can arrange their own travel to these meeting points. If anyone faces difficulties to reach the meeting points on their own means, please don’t hesitate to reach out, and we will work together to find a solution.

Please note that tickets for local transportation within a city (e.g., metro or shuttle bus tickets to the airport or train station) will need to be arranged by participants.

Once all participants are selected and confirm their participation, the project coordinators will work with the national group leaders to develop a final travel itinerary for each group. These itineraries will be communicated via Discord, and the travel tickets will be shared via Email and/or Discord.

All participants will travel to the accommodation together with a private bus from Budapest.

  • Portuguese group will travel by plane from Lisbon to Budapest at night on the 10th of June. 

  • Czech group will travel by train which departs from Prague, then goes through Brno, and arrives to Budapest.

  • Romanian group will travel from designated city to Budapest with a train

  • Hungarian group will depart from Budapest by the private bus or train to BodrogkeresztĂşr.

  • Slovak group will have two groups: one starting from Kosice, the other from Bratislava. Both will travel by Flixbus to Budapest.

  • Lithuanian group will depart on the 10th of June from Kaunas through Marijampole to Budapest by Flixbus. After the activity, they will arrive home on the 22nd due to the long travel time.

  • Serbian group will travel from Belgrade to Budapest with Flixbus

Useful information

  • Participation costs: There are no participation costs. Travel, accommodation, and food are co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union. However, participants who are selected will need to pay a 50€ deposit to confirm their participation. This is to avoid last-minute cancelations and to cover possible damages caused by the participants on the accommodation. The money is sent back after the activity.

  • Health & Insurance: We provide insurance for our participants. However we still ask all participants to bring their European Health Insurance Cards, which can be used if they need hospital care.

  • What to bring: Identification card or passport, towel, Hungarian Forint as pocket money to buy personal items (we recommend to bring cash since there might not be an ATM near the venue), laptop (if possible), national food or a typical vest for the gastro and cultural nights, speaker, board games, comfortable and enough clothes for the days of the activity and for outdoor activities as well.

  • Terms & Conditions: Refer to www.e29.eu/terms-and-conditions for detailed terms and conditions.

  • Q&A: Have doubts? Feel free to reach us through our social media channels.

  • Note: We made some changes to our application portal. Even if you already created an account, you might need to click “Sign up now”, validate your email, and create a password. All your previous data will be synchronized through your email address.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Dům zahraniční spolupráce (DZS). Neither the European Union nor DZS can be held responsible for them.

How to Take Part?

Sign in to your account or if you don’t have one sign up now and apply.

Deadline to apply: 24.05.2025