Creative Lab Youth Exchange
The “Creative Lab” Youth Exchange brought together 35 young people from Spain, Italy, Türkiye, Romania, Poland and the Czech Republic in Vatra Dornei, Romania, to explore creativity, entrepreneurship and the skills needed to transform ideas into practical outcomes.
In a rapidly changing labour market, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking are increasingly important for young people. Through practical challenges, teamwork and co-creation, participants explored how innovative ideas can respond to real-world needs while developing their confidence, problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial mindset.
Main objectives
The Youth Exchange aimed to:
- Empower young people with creative and entrepreneurial competences to adapt ideas to labour market and business needs.
- Develop replicable non-formal learning tools that stimulate innovation, teamwork and creative problem-solving.
- Strengthen cooperation between partner organisations in promoting creativity and entrepreneurship through the exchange of good practices.
Exchange methodology
The programme combined non-formal education, experiential learning, teamwork and co-creation. Participants engaged in activities focused on:
- Team-building, communication and self-reflection
- Debates and interactive theatre
- Creative company-building and entrepreneurship
- Employability and job interview skills
- Digital content creation, storytelling and video-making
- Collaborative problem-solving and business planning
A key part of the exchange was the co-creation phase, with group leaders facilitating activities that encouraged participants to apply their learning and develop practical solutions together.
Main outcomes
The project resulted in a set of practical and creative outputs developed by participants:
- 5 videos showcasing replicable approaches to turning weaknesses into strengths during job interviews.
- 5 creative business ideas developed through collaborative problem-solving and entrepreneurial activities.
- 5 business plans for social start-ups, addressing real social challenges through innovative solutions.
- 5 awareness-raising videos highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship and the challenges young people face when entering the labour market.
Beyond the learning outcomes, the exchange also created a space for intercultural connection, collaboration and shared experiences, allowing participants to discover Vatra Dornei and its surroundings while building friendships across borders.
From ideas to action, Creative Lab demonstrated how creativity can become a starting point for entrepreneurship, personal development and positive change in local communities.
The project was co-funded by the European Union
