“City Bound Europe – Next Stop: Europe” is a series of five mobilities designed for young people that aims to promote the idea of European integration and make Europe appealing to the younger generation. Due to political shifts towards conservative governments in many EU member states, along with rising populism and Euroscepticism, European integration is often portrayed in local media as unattractive and disconnected from people’s lives. With this project, we aim to raise awareness among young people about how European integration affects them personally and improves their lives due to their country's EU membership. We want to promote a positive image of Europe and, in contrast to populist narratives, highlight the benefits of EU integration. At City Bound Europe, we believe that a strong, united Europe is key to the safety and stability of the continent, and we aim to share this belief with our young participants. The primary goal of City Bound Europe is to support the growth of young people—not just as citizens but also as individuals. Youth exchange is the best way to achieve this. Many young people feel that schools provide adequate knowledge but lack the life skills necessary to thrive in a democratic society and to communicate effectively with their peers. City Bound addresses this need by offering an intensive intercultural learning experience, where group processes are moderated to foster strong connections among participants. Activities during the exchange focus on European citizenship and integration, using adventure-based learning to continually develop participants’ soft skills. We also want to empower young people by discussing ways to make their voices heard through local democratic structures and dialogue during every City Bound exchange. The aims of this project are: - To build confidence in the idea of a “United Europe” among young people, helping them understand a Europe based on tolerance, inclusion, and understanding, while preventing radicalization by fostering personal experiences and face-to-face interactions. - To provide a space for personal growth for young people from all over Europe and support their transition from childhood to adulthood by developing their social and civic competencies, preparing them to live in an intercultural society. - To enhance participants’ creativity and help them discover their full potential by offering innovative non-formal educational opportunities, particularly through adventure-based learning methodology. We focus on young people aged 14 to 17. Through our experience working with this age group, we have recognized that they need more opportunities to interact with peers from different countries. Many have not traveled abroad or met individuals from diverse cultures, limiting their understanding of Europe to what they see on TV. Currently, most international mobility projects target students or individuals over the age of 18, but we believe that teenagers stand to gain the most from such programs. Our activities have shown that City Bound youth exchanges have sparked their interest in Europe and mobility opportunities, helping them feel a sense of belonging and connection within the broader European community.