SUMA decided to implement this project to address the existing important problems and needs of young people with fewer opportunities in Podravina, a region that includes Varaždin, Virovitica-Podravina and Koprivnica-Križevci counties. DiscoverEU provided an extremely important opportunity for young people from our area because, without this application, 18-year-olds with fewer opportunities from Podravina would be deprived of the opportunity to engage in Erasmus+ activities and gain invaluable European experiences. By participating in DiscoverEU, these young people had the opportunity to broaden their horizons, develop key skills and become active European citizens, fostering a sense of European citizenship and promoting cultural understanding through intercultural exchange and travel experiences. ŠUMA recognized the problems and needs of young people with fewer opportunities in Podravina through a combination of close community ties, regular engagement with association members and knowledge gained from previous projects. In a relatively closed community where everyone knows everyone, reaching out to young people and asking for their opinions was very easy. Our monthly meetings with members who are young professionals from different fields, some of whom are school teachers, psychologists and social workers, have provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by young people in Podravina. Based on three years of experience and knowledge gained from previous projects, we have gathered a wealth of information that has enriched our understanding of the specific needs and obstacles faced by young people in our region. Young people in Podravina face limited exposure to intercultural experiences and opportunities for informal learning. Young people from rural areas are particularly disproportionately affected, as Podravina is struggling with depopulation and lacks significant youth-oriented activities and a sufficient number of civil society organisations dedicated to young people. Instead, the existing offer is often limited to traditional activities such as church choirs, voluntary fire brigades and traditional dances, leaving the needs of young people unmet and neglected. To make matters worse, these rural areas also suffer from inadequate public transport access to larger urban centres such as Varaždin, Koprivnica and Đurđevac, where some of the activities of interest to young people are available. Bus lines mainly operate during weekdays during the school year, with limited availability during school holidays. In addition, rail connections are limited and ongoing track works further complicate travel planning. Given the economic passivity of the region, many young people do not have the financial means to participate in international activities or tourist travel, resulting in limited exposure to other cultures and countries. For some, a shopping trip to neighbouring Hungary may be their only experience abroad. Such limited exposure to different cultures and countries can result in a narrow worldview and a lack of understanding of cultural diversity. In order to address these issues and meet the specific needs of young people in this region, the project objectives were: 1. To promote social inclusion and diversity by providing opportunities for young people with fewer opportunities to travel within the EU and third countries. 2. Developing intercultural skills of participants to build mutual understanding and acceptance of cultural differences. 3. Encouraging environmental awareness and responsibility of participants through the promotion of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. 4. Empowering participants to become active citizens within their communities, encouraging them to actively contribute to local initiatives and promote cultural exchange and inclusiveness. 5. Fostering a sense of European identity and solidarity among participants, motivating them to engage in future Erasmus+ projects and beyond DiscoverEU.