About the project
The „Rural Spark“ project is dedicated to empowering young people by enhancing their creativity and entrepreneurial skills in rural development. Through hands-on experiences and collaborative learning, participants will explore innovative approaches to sustainable business models, fostering economic growth in rural areas.
This project brings together young people and group leaders from various countries to exchange best practices, unlock new opportunities, and strengthen their ability to drive positive change in their communities. By equipping participants with key competencies, the project aims to inspire a new generation of creative and sustainable entrepreneurs.
The Objectives of the project are:
- Get people talking about rural entrepreneurship and innovation
- Show how sustainable businesses can benefit local communities
- Help young people develop creativity, leadership, and problem-solving skills
- Create a space for international collaboration and idea-sharing
- Promote non-formal education as a great way to learn and grow
Involved countries
Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Spain
The venue & accomodation
Vatra Dornei is a small town in the Carpathian Mountains, known for its beautiful nature and peaceful atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to take a break from the city, enjoy fresh air, and get inspired by the surroundings.
Climate
April can be pretty chilly, especially in the mountains. During the day, temperatures are usually around 8–10°C, but at night, they can drop to 0–3°C or even lower. Bring warm clothes, a jacket, and something waterproof, just in case.
Accommodation
You’ll be staying at Siady Guesthouse, a cozy and comfortable place with shared rooms for 2–4 people, each with its own bathroom.
The eligible participants
There will be 5 participants + 1 group leader per country.
The participants:
- are aged 18 – 30 yo (group leader 18+ yo)
- have an intermediate level of English
- are able to demonstrate their motivation and interest in the project topic in the application
Financial conditions
Accommodation, food and all materials at the project will be covered by the Erasmus+ programme. The travel costs for the Czech participants will be covered within the limit of 309 EUR.
Plase note that in case you are selected for the project, you will be asked to pay a membership fee of 900 CZK (or 35 EUR for payments from abroad) – we will use this contribution to cover the compensation for the trip coordinator, the costs of materials and preparation, and the complete support of the participants before, during and after the trip. Instructions for paying the membership fee will be sent to you by e-mail, along with instructions to confirm participation and other steps.
The membership fee also ensures your membership in the Youth Progress organization, free entry to all local activities and is paid annually – if you decide to go on another project with us this calendar year, you will not have to pay it again.
Your participation in the project is fully financed by the ERASMUS+ program. However, the program does not reimburse us, the sending organization, so thank you for helping us continue to provide these great opportunities to young people. 
* In case of cancellation of participation by the participant, the contribution is non-refundable.
** In case of cancellation of the project by the organizers or due to force majeure, the contribution will be refunded to the participant’s account.
*** The membership fee may be waived in exceptional cases, e.g. if the participant faces a financial disadvantage, which will be evaluated individually by the sending organization.