O projeto “Skills Horizon 2”, segunda iniciativa colaborativa Erasmus+ entre a Associação Check-IN (Portugal) e a JCI Océan Indien (Ilha da Reunião), deu continuidade à primeira fase realizada em Beja, em maio de 2024. A segunda fase decorreu entre 4 e 11 de maio de 2025, na multicultural Ilha da Reunião, reunindo 12 jovens — seis de cada organização — para uma experiência de intercâmbio, aprendizagem e cidadania ativa.
Durante a semana, os participantes envolveram-se em sessões interativas, atividades com a comunidade local e momentos de partilha cultural, refletindo sobre inclusão, participação juvenil e valores europeus. Um dos pontos altos foi a Conferência do Dia da Europa (9 de maio), onde apresentaram os seus trabalhos e debateram temas relevantes com atores locais.
Inspirado pelos Objetivos Europeus para a Juventude, o projeto promoveu a educação não formal, a troca de competências digitais e o reforço do sentimento de pertença à Europa, especialmente em regiões periféricas. “Skills Horizon 2” fortaleceu a colaboração internacional e apoiou os jovens como agentes de mudança nas suas comunidades.
Este projeto foi aprovado pela Agência Nacional Erasmus + Juventude em Ação, com a referência: 2023-1-PT02-KA151-YOU-000114731.
Mais informações: info@checkin.org.pt
Parceiros
Parceiros internacionais
– JCI Saint Dennis, França
Diário
Durante o projeto vamos publicar um diário do projeto para manter a par todos os interessados
DIA 1
The first day of the "Skills Horizon 2" training course was filled with meaningful and memorable moments. Participants from the organizations Check-IN and JCI came together to begin their journey of learning and growth. The day started with engaging ice-breaking activities designed to help everyone get to know each other better. These introductory exercises played a crucial role in building trust and creating a positive group dynamic among participants from different backgrounds.
In addition to social bonding, the morning sessions focused on introducing the European Youth Goals. These goals served as a foundation for the rest of the program, providing participants with a shared understanding of the key values and priorities shaping youth policy in Europe today. Throughout the day, the activities were centered on developing new skills and expanding the participants’ knowledge in innovative and interactive ways. Teamwork and collaboration were strongly encouraged, creating an environment where everyone could contribute and learn from one another. The facilitators guided the group through a variety of exercises that fostered active participation, critical thinking, and cross-cultural exchange. This not only helped strengthen individual capacities but also promoted mutual respect and inclusion within the group.
By the end of the day, participants had already begun forming strong connections, both personally and professionally. The atmosphere was full of energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm for the days to come.
DIA 2
The third day of the training course was all about strategic thinking and concrete action. With renewed motivation, participants shifted their focus toward designing practical solutions that align with the European Youth Goals.
The morning kicked off with an interactive workshop on strategic planning. Participants were challenged to move from ideas to action—exploring how youth- led initiatives can address key issues in their communities. The goal was to equip them with tools to become more intentional, structured, and impactful in their efforts.
Working in diverse teams, they began by identifying which of the European Youth Goals were most relevant in their local contexts—both in Portugal and Réunion. This
required critical reflection on societal challenges, youth needs, and opportunities for
change. Once priorities were defined, each group moved into solution-building mode. They
brainstormed innovative measures that could realistically be implemented, keeping feasibility, community engagement, and sustainability in mind. From mental health campaigns to educational outreach or inclusive events, the ideas were as varied as the participants themselves. The workshop encouraged collaboration, leadership, and creativity. Participants took
ownership of their proposals, refining them with peer feedback and facilitator support. The atmosphere was energetic and empowering—everyone felt the drive to turn their ideas into action.
In just a few hours, what started as abstract goals transformed into tangible project plans with real potential to make a difference.
This day marked an important turning point in the training course: from learning and reflection to real-world application. Participants left the session feeling confident, purposeful, and more united than ever in their mission to create change.
DIA 3
The third day of the training course was all about strategic thinking and concrete action. With renewed motivation, participants shifted their focus toward designing practical solutions that align with the European Youth Goals. The morning kicked off with an interactive workshop on strategic planning.
Participants were challenged to move from ideas to action—exploring how youth-led initiatives can address key issues in their communities. The goal was to equip them with tools to become more intentional, structured, and impactful in their efforts.
Working in diverse teams, they began by identifying which of the European Youth Goals were most relevant in their local contexts—both in Portugal and Réunion. This
required critical reflection on societal challenges, youth needs, and opportunities for
change.
Once priorities were defined, each group moved into solution-building mode. They
brainstormed innovative measures that could realistically be implemented, keeping feasibility, community engagement, and sustainability in mind. From mental health campaigns to educational outreach or inclusive events, the ideas were as varied as the participants themselves.
The workshop encouraged collaboration, leadership, and creativity. Participants took ownership of their proposals, refining them with peer feedback and facilitator
support. The atmosphere was energetic and empowering—everyone felt the drive to
turn their ideas into action.
In just a few hours, what started as abstract goals transformed into tangible project plans with real potential to make a difference.
This day marked an important turning point in the training course: from learning and reflection to real-world application. Participants left the session feeling confident, purposeful, and more united than ever in their mission to create change.
DIA 4
The fourth day of the “Skills Horizon 2” training course centered around local engagement and community outreach. With energy and purpose, participants focused their efforts on preparing activities that would directly involve local youth while celebrating a key European milestone. A large part of the day was dedicated to planning the upcoming Europe Day
Conference — an event designed to mark this significant date on the European calendar. Participants took the lead in organizing the structure and content of the conference, ensuring it would be meaningful, interactive, and inclusive.
Working collaboratively, they brainstormed a variety of dynamic formats: from
storytelling sessions to panel discussions, interactive games, and cultural presentations. Each team contributed ideas that reflected their values, cultural backgrounds, and the messages they wanted to convey about Europe’s role in
empowering youth.
The goal was clear: to create a space where young people could come together, share experiences, and reflect on what it means to be part of a united Europe in today’s world. Special attention was given to promoting the European Youth Goals (EYG) through every part of the event.
In the afternoon, the participants shifted their focus to planning local youth
activities, aiming to reach out to peers in the community beyond the formal conference. These activities were designed to be accessible, engaging, and
educational—encouraging more young people to connect with the EYG and explore how they could contribute to change.
As the day progressed, a strong sense of leadership and teamwork emerged. The
participants showed great initiative and creativity in shaping events that would have
real local impact. With preparations well underway, the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming community interactions. Day 4 served as a powerful reminder that local action is a key driver of European unity and youth empowerment.
DIAS 5 & 6
Durante o fim de semana, continuámos a aprofundar o nosso conhecimento e compreensão dos Objectivos Europeus para a Juventude. O sábado foi dinamizado pela equipa italiana, que concebeu e facilitou uma série de workshops activos e envolventes. O foco do dia foi a sustentabilidade, um tema particularmente próximo do coração de todos. Através de tarefas divertidas e interactivas, os participantes exploraram mais a fundo este objectivo crucial, ganhando uma maior valorização da sua importância no contexto global.
No domingo, o foco manteve-se na sustentabilidade. No entanto, os participantes também tiveram a oportunidade de expressar individualmente os seus pensamentos e criatividade. Usando revistas, cores e diversos materiais, criaram peças que representavam a sua visão do 7.º Objectivo Europeu para a Juventude: Emprego de Qualidade para Todos. Esta actividade criativa serviu como uma forma poderosa de os participantes reflectirem e comunicarem visualmente as suas ideias em torno deste objectivo essencial.
Para além dos workshops e das expressões criativas, houve tempo para explorar e partilhar tradições culturais. Os participantes apresentaram elementos dos seus países de origem de forma divertida e informal, com actividades como um “teste Kahoot”, partilha de petiscos e jogos animados. Isto permitiu que todos aprendessem mais sobre as diversas culturas de França, Itália, Portugal e Espanha, promovendo uma compreensão e valorização mais profundas dentro do grupo.
O fim de semana foi uma combinação maravilhosa de aprendizagem, criatividade e intercâmbio cultural, deixando todos inspirados e conectados.
DIA 5
The final day of the Skills Horizon training course was all about connection, reflection, and closure. It marked a meaningful conclusion to a week filled with learning, collaboration, and action.
In the morning, participants stepped into leadership roles as they carried out the local youth activities they had spent days preparing. Working directly with young people from Réunion, they facilitated engaging sessions aimed at raising awareness about the European Youth Goals and promoting active citizenship. These activities created a vibrant space for dialogue and creativity. Through games,
discussions, and participatory methods, the youth connected with European values while reflecting on their own roles within their local communities. It was a hands-on moment where theory became practice, and where impact could be felt in real time.
The participants demonstrated confidence, empathy, and adaptability, ensuring the activities were both meaningful and inclusive. Their ability to apply what they had learned during the week showed how much they had grown — not only as individuals, but also as youth leaders.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted toward project evaluation and collective reflection. Gathered in a circle of trust, participants revisited the highlights of their journey: the friendships formed, the skills acquired, and the challenges overcome.
Through structured feedback and open sharing, they celebrated achievements while also identifying areas for growth. They reflected on the importance of intercultural learning, teamwork, and community engagement — and how these lessons could
be carried forward beyond the project. Ideas for future initiatives began to emerge, as the group considered ways to
maintain the momentum and bring positive change to their home communities.
Day 5 was more than just an ending — it was a launchpad for continued action, connection, and youth empowerment across borders.
