The aim of our project, Our Inner Nature, was to empower young people to reconnect with themselves, their communities, and the natural environment, while also developing critical competences through active participation in youth exchanges. The project was built upon the shared initiative and enthusiasm of young people who had previously participated in a youth exchange together and expressed a clear desire to continue working collaboratively, this time taking on more responsibility in the creation and realization of an Erasmus+ project. Our key objectives were both thematic and developmental. We wanted to reconnect young people with nature and promote its mental health benefits. A growing number of young people are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature due to digital lifestyles and urban environments. A major objective was to offer youth the opportunity to experience nature’s therapeutic effects first-hand and to raise awareness of its importance for mental health. By spending time in natural settings and engaging in activities like meditation, grounding exercises, and herbal workshops, we aimed to support participants’ emotional regulation, self-awareness, and general wellbeing. We wanted to create a safe, inclusive space where young people could freely explore and express their thoughts, emotions, and identities through non-formal learning methods. The project emphasized creativity, through art, writing, storytelling, music, and hands-on DIY activities, as a tool for building confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence.The multi-activity structure of the project was designed to support participants in gradually stepping into more active roles. We aimed to improve key competences such as teamwork, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and active citizenship. This approach enabled participants to move from being guided learners in the first activity to being co-creators and co-facilitators of the second. The project gave particular attention to involving youth who face social, economic, geographical, or educational obstacles, including young people from rural areas, the LGBTQ+ community, and those with learning difficulties or mental health challenges. Our objective was not only to include them but to empower them through meaningful roles and supportive environments that promote equity and belonging. A key objective was to build the capacity of young participants to design and implement youth initiatives. By being involved in all phases of the project — from topic selection, and application writing to implementation and follow-up — the youth leaders improved their understanding of project planning, Erasmus+ frameworks, budgeting, logistics, and reporting. The project fostered collaboration between young people from Czechia, Serbia, and Spain, helping them build international friendships and develop intercultural awareness. We also wanted to encourage peer-to-peer learning, to exchange practices, support personal growth, and plant seeds for future joint initiatives. Beyond enjoying nature, participants were encouraged to reflect on sustainable living, ecological responsibility, and low-impact habits. Activities promoted simple eco-practices like upcycling, making herbal products, and embracing green travel — supporting the broader objective of cultivating environmental awareness and action among youth. In designing this project, we responded directly to needs identified by young people themselves. During a previous youth exchange in Spain (ref. 2023-1-ES02-KA151-YOU-000121231), participants agreed they wanted to stay connected and take greater initiative. They voted on project topics, co-developed activity ideas, and launched a community survey (346 responses) to further explore the themes of nature and self-expression. These participatory processes not only shaped the final project design but also reflected our objective to empower youth as creators, not just beneficiaries. In summary, our objectives went beyond delivering a “one-time” exchange. We sought to cultivate a sense of agency and ownership among young people, strengthen their connection to nature and self, and build practical competences for personal, civic, and professional growth. The project was a stepping stone toward greater youth involvement in Erasmus+ and a meaningful example of what happens when young people are trusted to lead and create together.