Roots & Routes Project Funded by the Portuguese National Agency! Free European Youth Joins as a Partner

We are delighted to announce that the Roots & Routes project has been officially funded by the Portuguese National Agency. Free European Youth e.V. will join the project as an international partner, contributing to an inspiring mobility experience centred on cultural heritage, intercultural dialogue, and community engagement.

Meeting in Bragança, Portugal

The project will take place from 28 June to 5 July 2026 in Bragança, Portugal. During the activity, participants from different countries will come together to explore the relationship between cultural roots, personal identity, local traditions, and the routes that connect communities across Europe.

Bragança offers a meaningful setting for this journey. Its rich cultural heritage and strong local identity will provide participants with opportunities to learn from the host community while reflecting on the traditions and experiences they bring from their own countries.

Exploring Cultural Heritage

Through workshops, creative exercises, local exploration, storytelling, and group discussions, participants will examine how cultural heritage shapes communities and influences the way people understand belonging. They will be encouraged to share traditions, memories, and perspectives in an open and respectful learning environment.

The project will approach heritage as something living and constantly developing. Participants will not only look at historical customs and places, but also consider how young people can preserve, reinterpret, and communicate cultural heritage in inclusive and creative ways.

Fostering Intercultural Dialogue

Intercultural dialogue will be at the heart of the programme. By working in international groups, participants will build communication skills, challenge stereotypes, exchange viewpoints, and discover both the differences and shared values that connect European communities.

Non-formal learning methods will create space for active participation and peer learning. Activities will be designed to ensure that every participant can contribute, cooperate, and develop confidence while learning from the experiences of others.

Strengthening Community Engagement

Roots & Routes will also encourage participants to consider their role within their local communities. Teamwork and practical activities will explore how young people can contribute to community life, promote inclusion, and transform cultural knowledge into initiatives that bring people together.

After returning home, participants will be encouraged to share their learning, organize local dissemination activities, and apply the project’s methods in their own communities. This follow-up process will help extend the project’s impact beyond the mobility itself.

Free European Youth as a Project Partner

As a partner organisation, Free European Youth e.V. will support participant preparation, communication, learning activities, dissemination, and follow-up. We look forward to working closely with the host organisation and all international partners to create a safe, inclusive, and meaningful experience.

“Roots & Routes will bring young people together to explore where they come from, learn from one another, and discover new ways to strengthen their communities.”