The district of Traunstein, nestled in southeastern Germany, is experiencing a slow but steady demographic shift. With an ageing population and limited inflow of young residents, the region faces a pressing challenge: how can it remain vibrant, innovative, and future-oriented?
One solution lies in empowering youth-focused non-governmental organisations (NGOs) — especially those involved in Erasmus+ programs. These organisations already play a vital role in facilitating cross-border learning, civic participation, and intercultural exchange. With the right local support, they could also serve as key partners in reshaping Traunstein’s future.
Why Erasmus+ matters
Programs like Youth Exchanges (YE) and Training Courses (TC) don’t just provide EU funding — they bring ideas, networks, and youth-driven momentum. These Erasmus+ activities have the potential to rebrand Traunstein as a place where young people can learn, connect, and contribute meaningfully.
According to the European Commission (2020), Erasmus+ initiatives enhance youth employability, foster innovation in non-formal education, and strengthen civic engagement across communities. Beyond individual development, the surrounding regions also benefit: through tourism, economic activity, and enriched cultural dialogue.
In short, Erasmus+ isn’t just about mobility — it’s about identity and opportunity.
Creating space for young people
To make this a reality, the Landratsamt Traunstein could offer free or low-cost office space to NGOs operating in the field of youth work, European mobility, or civic engagement. Co-working spaces located within existing community centres would increase visibility and ensure accessibility for local residents.
In collaboration with these NGOs, the region could also invest in a dedicated cultural and educational youth centre aimed at people aged 15–30. This space could host:
• Peer-led workshops
• Youth-led initiatives
• Erasmus+ info sessions
• Study spaces and co-creation labs
Such spaces would foster community bonds, encourage intercultural dialogue, and offer a safe, engaging environment for youth to meet, express, and grow.
Collaboration is the key
Strong partnerships with local institutions, such as Campus Chiemgau, could add valuable infrastructure and expertise to the mix. Campus Chiemgau’s focus on innovation and vocational education makes it an ideal ally in amplifying the reach and quality of youth-focused programs.
A standout model of this kind of collaboration is the European Dialogue (ED), a youth media and civic organisation based in Trnava, Slovakia. Founded in 2013, ED empowers young people through projects focused on media literacy, democratic values, digital participation, and Erasmus+ mobility.
ED has:
• Coordinated numerous Youth Exchanges and Training Courses across Europe
• Run civic engagement initiatives like Young Europeans for Trnava
• Hosted training events like Journalism Next Door for aspiring youth journalists
• Partnered with municipalities, universities, and Eurodesk to bring youth closer to EU opportunities
By using Erasmus+ funding and local networks, European Dialogue helped turn Trnava — a mid-sized city often overlooked in broader European youth policy discussions — into a regional youth innovation hub.
Another inspiring case is Check-IN – Cooperação e Desenvolvimento, a non-profit organisation founded in 2010 and based in Beja, with an additional hub in Lisbon. Check-IN promotes lifelong learning, active citizenship, social inclusion, and education for sustainable development — placing special focus on young people who face barriers to information due to geography, socio-economic background, or personal circumstances. Their projects range from local initiatives in sensitive Lisbon neighbourhoods to international Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges, training courses, and community workshops. By combining European values such as human rights, democracy, and intercultural tolerance with hands-on activities, Check-IN shows how both rural regions and urban areas can thrive through youth engagement.
As Škorić and Vidaček-Hainš (2023) argue, cross-sector partnerships between youth organisations and public institutions increase the reach and impact of civic engagement programs, particularly in communities facing demographic or social challenges.
A Win-Win for the region
Investing in youth participation through Erasmus+, youth centres, and local NGOs isn’t just idealistic — it’s strategic. It helps reverse brain drain, invites multicultural dialogue, and builds a resilient social fabric. The presence of active youth organisations also sends a strong signal that Traunstein values its future generations.
If implemented thoughtfully, this proposal could turn Traunstein into a space where youth don’t just pass through for a project — but come back to study, work, and settle.
📷 Image Credits
All images: © Andrej Sloboda
📚 References (APA Style)
• European Commission. (2020). Erasmus+ Annual Report 2020. Publications Office of the European Union. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/862262
• European Dialogue. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved June 2025 from https://europskydialog.eu/en/about-us
• European Dialogue. (2023, April 15). Journalism Next Door: Training for Media Changers in Trnava. Retrieved from https://europskydialog.eu/en/2023/04/15/journalism-next-door-training-for-media-changers-in-trnava/
• Škorić, M., & Vidaček-Hainš, V. (2023). Youth Work in Local Communities: Building Resilient Partnerships. Croatian Youth Institute Journal, 11(2), 15–29. https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/420342
• Check-IN. (n.d.). Home English. Retrieved August 2025 from https://checkin.org.pt/en/home-english/