Balancecademy 2025 is the second edition of a youth exchange initiative developed within the partner organisations’ networks, building on the experience and learning outcomes of the previous Balancecademy project. The project is designed to support young people in building balance in their lives; mentally, emotionally, physically and socially. The project was implemented to respond to a clearly identified need among young people within the partner organisations’ contexts: increasing levels of stress, emotional pressure and uncertainty, combined with limited access to practical and stigma-free mental health education. Many young people also face social comparison, insecurity and a lack of safe spaces to openly address mental health and well-being. The overall aim of the project was to promote balance as a holistic concept, integrating mental, emotional, physical and social dimensions of well-being through non-formal education. This aim is rooted in the pedagogic concept of Balancecademy 2025, which is based on experiential learning, body–mind awareness and reflective approaches, and was further refined based on insights gained from the first edition of the project. To achieve this aim, the project pursued the following educational objectives, as defined in the approved application and implemented through appropriate non-formal education methods: - to raise awareness and deepen understanding of mental health and well-being among young people, using thematic workshops, guided reflection sessions and facilitated group discussions; - to equip participants with practical tools for self-care and balance, supported through guided breathwork, yoga, body-awareness practices, grounding exercises, journaling and nature-based learning; - to challenge stigma and silence surrounding mental health by creating safe and inclusive learning spaces that encouraged open dialogue, peer exchange and mutual support; - to strengthen soft skills such as communication, teamwork, confidence and leadership through cooperative tasks, group work and shared responsibilities within an international group; - to foster intercultural understanding, empathy and social inclusion by working in diverse teams and applying participatory methods that value different cultural backgrounds and perspectives; - to ensure the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities by applying inclusive facilitation approaches and flexible participation formats that allowed all participants to engage according to their needs. In line with the approved application, these objectives were pursued consistently throughout the preparation, mobility and follow-up phases of the project. Balancecademy 2025 contributed to the Erasmus+ horizontal priorities on Inclusion and Diversity, Participation, and Sustainability, and supported Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The objectives were designed not only to support individual learning during the youth exchange, but also to strengthen the long-term development of the Balancecademy approach as a sustainable youth exchange format.