international-projects-neighbours-discovering-cover

Neighbours Discovering Internationality Together!

Rural youth workers in Finland and Sweden often lack access to international opportunities like Erasmus+ and ESC. This project empowers them by building awareness, skills, and confidence to integrate international tools into their daily work in their home communities.

Project Summary


Project period: January 2024 – June 2025
Partners: XAMK (Juvenia)
Funded by: Erasmus+ KA2

Co-funded by the European Union

Neighbours Discovering Internationality Together! was a cooperation project between Juvenia (Finland) and Fryshuset (Sweden). It supported rural youth workers in Etelä-Savo and Kalmar to discover how international opportunities such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps can be used in everyday youth work. Through networking, peer learning, study visits, and hands-on training, the project made international youth work more accessible and practical.

International workshop with youth workers from Etelä-Savo and Kalmar

Context & Challenges

Finland and Sweden share similar rural youth work challenges: limited resources, little prior experience with international programmes, and a need for practical tools to get started. While some organizations were already active, many needed support to take their first steps. With long-standing international experience, Juvenia and Fryshuset joined forces to strengthen youth work across borders.

Activities

The project combined local and international activities:

  • Local meetings with participants and their organizations in Finland and Sweden to map needs and goals.
  • International workshops in Mikkeli (Finland) and Kalmar (Sweden) featuring study visits, peer learning, and concrete project planning.
  • Practical manual — ABC to Internationality: Practical Guide and Extra Tools for Rural Youth Work — summarizing learning outcomes and tips for getting started.

Peer learning session during the international meeting

Impact

The project strengthened youth workers’ understanding of European opportunities, expanded cross-border networks, and provided practical skills to bring international cooperation into their organizations. The manual extended the reach of these results, offering accessible guidance to youth workers across Europe.

Solidarity Spark Project

Updates & Reports

Tap the image to learn more.


Xamk – Neighbours Discovering Internationality Together!
Neighbours Discovering Internationality Together! – Xamk

Sommartider hej hej! – Internationality unites Sweden and Finland
Sommartider hej hej! – Internationality unites Sweden and Finland

Fryshuset Global – Manual created from practice, for practice
Fryshuset Global – Manual created from practice, for practice

Contact

📧 For more information or to get involved, contact us at: development@fryshuset.se
📲 Follow our journey on Instagram — click the names to visit the profiles: @fryshusetglobal@fryshusetyouthmobility