YE Stand Up, Čiovo Croatia 20.-27.6.2026
During the summer holidays (20–27 June 2026), the students of the Flexible Basic Education (JOPO) group from Hämeenkyrö Comprehensive School had the opportunity to take part in an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Čiovo, Croatia.
The journey was the culmination of nearly a year of preparation. Earlier in May, the Finnish group had already met their Croatian partners during an exchange week at Marttinen Youth Centre in Virrat, Finland. The same group then reunited for the international exchange in Croatia.
In Čiovo, the Finnish participants were joined by young people from Croatia, Slovenia, and Serbia. Throughout the exchange, the participants worked together across cultures, building friendships and learning from one another.
The programme was planned collaboratively throughout the school year by Marttinen Youth Centre, the school's youth worker, and the JOPO teacher—who, by the time the exchange took place, had become a volunteer with Mukana Association.
During the week, the young people:
- created and performed a theatre production, "Magical Journey Through Four Countries"
- strengthened their teamwork skills through a Seppo game
- explored the historic city of Split
- learned about each other's cultures during International Evenings, where every country presented its traditions, food, music, and everyday life
- took part in discussions, workshops, and shared activities that encouraged intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.
International education and Erasmus+ exchanges have been an important part of youth work in the Municipality of Hämeenkyrö for many years. However, changing target groups and increasing financial pressures have made it necessary to find new ways of ensuring that international opportunities remain accessible to young people in the future.
This is one of the reasons why Mukana Association was founded.
We want to make international mobility possible for more young people by giving them the opportunity to challenge themselves, discover new strengths, and become part of an international community far beyond their familiar surroundings.
Youth exchanges are about much more than travelling. They foster independence, self-confidence, intercultural understanding, and the courage to communicate in another language. They help young people realise that friendships can be built across borders and that Europe is a community where everyone has something valuable to contribute.
When a young person returns home and says,
"I learned that I can find my place in the world."
we know that we have achieved what truly matters.