From 27 July to 4 August, Thessaloniki became the meeting point for young people across Europe as part of the European Citizenship Academy (ECA). Hosted by United Societies of Balkans (USB), the exchange offered participants not only the charm of Greece’s second-largest city but also a deep dive into what it means to be an active European citizen today. Participants from ECA partners countries from France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Greece joined this event.
The program was designed to help participants:
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Strengthen their sense of belonging to the European community
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Break down stereotypes through intercultural encounters
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Gain confidence in foreign language communication
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Explore ways to stand up for human rights and core EU values
The schedule combined creativity, discussion, and action. Participants built campaigns, staged theatre workshops, and mapped out communities to better understand the social challenges around them. Days were punctuated with reflective moments, energising team-building, and interactive tools like the Europe Jigsaw Puzzle and Bridge of Values. Some of the highlights of the event were:
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Human Rights Presentation & Forum Theatre – sparking dialogue through art.
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Campaign Creation & Implementation – learning how to spread messages for social good both online and offline.
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Intercultural Evening – where food, music, and traditions became a shared language.
- Visit of the Learning Center in Thessaloniki
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Networking & Future Action Sessions – planting seeds for ongoing cooperation.
