Youth exchange: Don't let the Muggles get you down!, Vienna

Don't let the Muggles get you down! was an Erasmus+ youth exchange held in Vienna from 7 to 14 August 2025, travel days included. It was coordinated by Ecological Future Education from Latvia, with EMOTiC as partner and host, and brought together around 40 participants from eight countries, young people and their group leaders. The other partners were EAST (Croatia), Active Green Solution (Greece), INVICTUS (Serbia), OTI (Slovakia), YOUnited z.s. (Czechia) and gamingHOUSE (Slovenia).

Why this exchange

Many young people today face disconnection, social anxiety and self-doubt, especially around identity, gender roles and mental wellbeing. Traditional programmes often fail to reflect this reality, in which mental health, gender equality and social inclusion overlap. This youth exchange invited participants to push back against negative energy and the limits society sets.

Quidditch as a learning tool

At its heart was quidditch, also known as quadball, an inclusive mixed-gender sport that encourages teamwork, physical activity and a playful rethinking of gender norms. The programme had two parts: one exploring gender equality and wellbeing, and one learning how to play quidditch and then actually playing it. Workshops, discussions, storytelling and creative activities built emotional resilience, self-awareness and gender inclusivity.

The project aimed to test and promote quidditch as a replicable learning tool for engaging young people in critical social issues, to deepen understanding of how gender roles, mental health and political participation are connected, and to improve mental and physical health through movement and teamwork.

The week in Vienna

The programme moved from introductions to sessions on gender stereotypes and equality in sport, inclusive strategies in sport, and mental health and wellbeing in sport. Quidditch training ran alongside, from the basics to advanced strategy and skills, combined with work on leadership styles, communication in teams, and roles and responsibilities. A practice match led into a session on gender equality beyond sport, role-play and scenario-based learning on equality, and the planning of a community quidditch event for social impact. A quidditch tournament and debrief followed, before an SDGs Intelligence Exhibition and the closing evaluation.

How we learned

Learning by experience, learning to play and playing to learn, and learning through the outdoors were the three methodological pillars. Many activities took place outdoors in sports clothes, and the week also made room for reconnecting with themselves and nature, daily reflection, a mid-term evaluation, intercultural talks and a farewell party. No previous Erasmus+ experience was needed.

Before and after Vienna

The exchange ran in three stages: preparation at home from 20 May 2025, the week in Vienna with young people from eight countries, and follow-up actions in participants' own communities in September 2025. Participants were encouraged to become multipliers who can initiate change and inclusion at home. The week closed with Youthpass, the Erasmus+ certificate for non-formal learning.