Cycles – Circles – Loop: young people from our network join an exchange in Spain

Yavuz Goktas
2 days ago
2 min read

From 23 February to 2 March 2026, eight young people from our network took part in the international Erasmus+ youth exchange Cycles – Circles – Loop in Llinars del Vallès, near Barcelona in Spain. Together with participants from several European countries, they spent a week learning, creating and reflecting on the relationship between people, nature and society.

The exchange focused on the idea of circularity. How can we rethink the way we live, produce and interact with our environment? Instead of a linear way of thinking – using resources and throwing them away – participants explored how we can move towards more circular ways of living, where materials, ecosystems and human choices are interconnected.

What made this exchange especially inspiring was its creative approach. Through social theatre, circus and other performing arts methods, the young people worked together in workshops, exercises and collaborative performances. Creativity became a tool to explore social and environmental questions and to discover new perspectives. By creating, experimenting and reflecting together, participants opened conversations about sustainability, responsibility and the role young people can play in shaping change.

Beyond the workshops, there was also plenty of space for intercultural exchange. During intercultural evenings, participants shared elements of their cultures, music, traditions and stories. Often it was in these informal moments that the most meaningful conversations and friendships emerged.

The group stayed at a venue surrounded by nature, which created an inspiring setting for the activities. The environment encouraged participants to step away from their daily routines and reflect more deeply on their relationship with the natural world.

For the eight participants from the Netherlands, the exchange was a week full of new experiences, ideas and connections. They collaborated with peers from other countries, discovered new creative methods and returned home with valuable insights.

At Bildung Nijmegen, we believe that international exchanges help young people broaden their perspectives and better understand their role in society. When young people learn, create and reflect together across borders, new ideas and connections emerge — sometimes even leading to initiatives that continue to grow within our own communities.

We look back on this exchange with great appreciation and are proud of the young people who represented our network. 🌍✨