Youth exchange "Digital break" in Bagnacavallo, Italy
From 4 to 9 May 2026, five Greek participants went to the city of Bagnacavallo to participate in “Digital Break” , an international youth exchange organized by our partner Spazio Zero APS.
The project involved young people from various European countries with the aim of promoting a more conscious use of technology, developing digital citizenship skills, raising awareness of the risks associated with excessive exposure to screens, and promoting mental and relational well-being through non-formal learning experiences.
"In the first week of May, we headed to the airport, bound for Bagnacavallo, Italy. This trip was different from all the others, as its goal was not just to take us to a new place, but to disconnect us completely from the digital world, reconnecting us with ourselves, nature, and the people around us.
At first, the idea of living without our phones for most of the week seemed like a huge challenge. Very soon, however, we realized that this challenge was easily overcome and that, in reality, our phones were not as essential as we had thought.
Through various creative activities and role-playing, we had the opportunity to better understand our relationship with the digital world by tracking our daily phone habits, which helped us better understand ourselves as well. The highlight of the process was the creation of a "digital contract." Each of us made a personal commitment to a list of practical rules. This list was not just a set of instructions, but a tangible promise to ourselves to maintain the balance we found here, even after returning to our daily lives.
During our free time, we had the opportunity to interact with young people from Italy, Spain, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland, with whom we bonded significantly through offline activities, such as nature walks, board games, and endless, genuine conversations. Through intercultural nights, we got to know the customs and traditions of the participating countries, tasted new flavors, and enriched our knowledge with interesting facts about each culture. What made the experience unique was our participation in the local festival, where we not only danced and had fun, but also had the chance to participate in a local radio podcast, promoting European programs and sharing our experiences.
The greatest asset we are taking home with us is the new friendships we formed—both within our Greek team and with the people from the other countries—with whom we have already renewed our appointment for another European country!
We would like to thank the Youth Center of Epirus and Spazio Zero for giving us the opportunity to live this unforgettable experience."
Angela, Giorgos, Pinelopi, Rania, Sotiris.
This project was co-funded the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union.