YEM members, Vincent Osuji and Deborah Okegbile, attended a Europeers UK training and planning meeting organised by the Centre for International Learning and Leadership from 30th August - 2nd September 2026.

Bringing young people together can be the beginning of something much bigger.

Recently, 13 young participants from across the UK came together with a shared enthusiasm and a common purpose: to explore how we can promote Erasmus+ opportunities to more young people across the UK.

What stood out throughout the experience was the energy, openness and willingness of everyone involved. Participants brought different experiences, perspectives and ideas, but we were united by a belief that international opportunities should be accessible to more young people, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The sessions generated many inspiring and practical ideas about how we can turn the vision of Erasmus+ promotion into meaningful action. From peer-to-peer engagement and storytelling to social media, community outreach and youth-led activities, there was a strong sense that young people themselves have an important role to play in encouraging other young people to step beyond their comfort zones and discover opportunities they may not have considered before.

A particularly valuable part of the experience was learning from Trevor Keough and Andrew Hadley MBE, Directors at the Centre for International Learning and Leadership, and Sarah Young, an experienced Project Manager. Their experience, guidance and conversations helped us think more critically about leadership, project development, communication and how ideas can be transformed into practical initiatives.

Another memorable part of the programme was our visit to the London Youth Centre, where we had the opportunity to meet Robin Lockhart, Director at Catalyst in Communities. The visit provided an opportunity to learn more about youth engagement within a community setting and to reflect on how international opportunities can connect with local youth work and community development.

For me, the experience reinforced a simple but powerful idea: young people are not merely beneficiaries of opportunities they can also become advocates, leaders and catalysts for creating opportunities for others.

Erasmus+ is about much more than travelling. It is about confidence, inclusion, cultural understanding, learning, leadership and discovering possibilities beyond our immediate circumstances. The enthusiasm of these 13 young people gives me confidence that there is a strong foundation for building a vibrant community of young advocates for Erasmus+ across the UK.

The journey has only begun. The ideas are here. The energy is here. Now comes the exciting part: turning those ideas into action and helping more young people realise that international opportunities can be possible for them too.

Words by Vincent Osuji