Active Life, Active Future: Creativity, Sustainability and Cultural Exchange in Action

Active Life, Active Future (Project No: 2023-3-AT01-KA152-YOU-000177084) was implemented as an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Klagenfurt, Austria, between 2–8 May 2024, coordinated by FI Gesundheits- und Sportverein. The project brought together participants from Austria, Türkiye, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Italy, while FAKTOR Community Health and Sport Association took part as the Hungarian partner organisation. Through non-formal education activities, the project encouraged young people to develop healthy lifestyles, intercultural understanding, creativity and environmental awareness while strengthening cooperation among international participants.

Participants strengthened their intercultural communication through the International Card Game Night, where they created visual posters representing the capitals, languages, currencies and cultural symbols of the participating countries. Working collaboratively to identify each country's unique characteristics encouraged dialogue, teamwork and cultural curiosity. The activity also supported the dissemination of the project by displaying the completed posters, allowing participants to present the diversity of the partner countries in a creative and engaging way.

The educational programme continued with the Life Impact Symposium, combining a gamified learning experience with expert knowledge about the psychological and social benefits of sport. Through a taboo-style concept game and discussions led by a sports coach, participants explored how physical activity contributes to emotional well-being, social inclusion and personal development. Presentation, gamification and question-and-answer methods encouraged active participation while improving critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills.

Creativity and awareness raising were further promoted through the Design Your Own Poster workshop, where participants designed campaigns encouraging the rehabilitation and inclusion of young people through sport. By developing slogans, visual messages and exhibition materials, they strengthened teamwork, brainstorming and creative expression skills while producing dissemination materials that could be used beyond the project itself. Environmental responsibility was also highlighted during the Sustainability Workshop: Calculating Your Carbon Footprint, where participants learned about climate change, explored the Oroeco application and discussed practical ways of reducing their environmental impact through everyday choices.

The programme concluded with an inspiring Culture Night, bringing participants together to present traditional sports from their countries through creative documentaries and collaborative presentations. By sharing cultural traditions and learning about sports practiced across Europe, participants strengthened intercultural dialogue, presentation skills and mutual respect. The combination of cultural exchange, environmental awareness, creative learning and sport-based education provided participants with valuable competences that they can transfer into their local communities while promoting healthier and more inclusive societies.