Published by:

SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus

INTRODUCTION: Common Goals And First Meeting

Radostyna Donchenko (SVOI, Ukraine): In November 2023, our NGO from Zaporizhzhia took its very first steps in the Erasmus+ programme by joining the „Partnerships Beyond Borders” seminar in Slovenia. The event was designed to support the creation of new quality partnerships for Erasmus+ youth-accredited projects involving Programme countries and neighbouring partner countries.

Although I already had some personal experience with Erasmus+, our organisation itself was a newcomer. That is why the seminar’s description spoke directly to me — it felt like the right place to begin. I decided to join with very modest expectations. Honestly, I told myself: if we managed to establish even one project with a new partner after this seminar, it would already be a success.

This is how we first met Heureka Generator, an inspiring and creative NGO from Zamość, Poland. Right from the beginning, they impressed us with their openness, enthusiasm, and generosity in sharing their knowledge with beginners. We felt an immediate connection and the first spark of what would become a meaningful partnership.

Andrzej Smyk (HEureka Generator, Poland): We found an announcement about this seminar on the SALTO platform and decided to apply because we believe that creating new partnerships in person is the best way to build meaningful cooperation. It was a time in the life of the HEureka Generator Association when we were looking for new solutions and new opportunities for development for our members and volunteers. We were very happy to have the chance to take part in it. There were many organisations from all over the world.

We quickly established contact with the organisation from Zaporizhzhia and its representative because she had previously studied in Poland and spoke Polish very well. As a representative of HEureka, I had visited Ukraine many times before and had the opportunity to cooperate with organisations from that country. That’s probably why we immediately found a common language and it was easy for us to talk about our organisations and our work with young people. From the very beginning, we understood each other very well.

FIRST COLLABORATION: Establishing a partnership

Radostyna: After the seminar ended, we maintained contact with HEureka Generator and began exploring concrete ways of collaborating. Our first steps were small, but they were important: planning meetings and discussions about the methods of our work and the possibilities to co-create something together. We tested our ability to coordinate across borders and to translate ideas into action.

There were challenges, of course. Understanding Erasmus+ procedures as an organisation, aligning our approaches, and coordinating logistics across countries required patience and persistence. Yet, we learned that those obstacles were opportunities to grow. Each step brought us closer to becoming not just partners on paper, but collaborators in practice.

Andrzej: For us, it was very important that we were talking with a representative of an organisation from eastern Ukraine — from a city located very close to the front line of the ongoing war. The HEureka Generator Association actively supported people from Ukraine after the Russian Federation’s aggression began, providing assistance at reception points in our city, Zamość. Establishing this kind of cooperation was therefore very valuable to us and felt like a continuation of our previous efforts in this field.

When I was travelling to Slovenia for the seminar, I had in mind the idea of expanding our organisation’s network on many levels. I didn’t expect that we would build such a good relationship with an organisation from that particular country. There were organisations from places much farther from Poland, yet it was with the Ukrainian organisation that we established the best connection. That’s why, looking back, I truly appreciate the surprise that came from this seminar — that the longest and most trusted partnership eventually developed with an organisation from Ukraine. Such seminars can sometimes be full of unexpected outcomes and can inspire us to create new solutions in places where we hadn’t expected or planned them.

JOINT PROJECTS: Successes and development

Radostyna: Over time, our partnership blossomed into a series of successful projects. Together with HEureka Generator, we co-created and implemented several Erasmus+ initiatives, and not only:

Unlocking the World: Project Starter Pack (April 2025) – a training for NGOs and individuals new to Erasmus+, offering a practical introduction to the programme (check out the Insta Reel). This training is special in our treasury, as it took place in Zaporizhzhia and helped our young people discover a piece of Erasmus+ for themselves without having to leave home. We are very grateful to the head of the HEureka Generator NGO, Andrzej Smyk, for his courage and dedication to the goal of working with youth in any corner of the world and bringing even greater understanding to the relationships between Ukrainians and Poles.

Each activity expanded our skills and networks. Step by step, we learned to manage larger groups, refine methodologies, and adapt to unexpected situations. Together, we overcame challenges such as cultural differences, tight deadlines, and the steep learning curve of Erasmus+ administration. What started as a cautious experiment quickly turned into a confident partnership full of creativity and trust.

Andrzej: With our new partners from Ukraine, we signed a declaration of cooperation. Having an Erasmus+ accreditation in the field of Youth, we were able to involve our new partner both in the youth exchanges and in the training courses we were preparing. Representatives of the SVOI organization actively participated in our training course dedicated to promoting theatre games as an effective method of non-formal education, which took place at the end of 2024.

Later, we visited the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia in April 2025, where together with our partner we organized a local training course for young people from the city, focused on non-formal education. Some participants of this course came to Poland shortly afterwards to take part in the Erasmus+ youth exchange “Chillmakers – A Journey of Healing through Art,” which brought together young people from Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, and Slovakia.

As part of our accreditation, we also implemented a training course titled “Timetable Crafting Lab,” which focused on creating effective daily timetables for international youth meetings. Within this activity, the SVOI organization not only actively participated but also involved one of its own partners from Ukraine, who also took part in the course.

Our most recent joint activity was the youth exchange titled “From Oops to Wow!”, in which our Polish and Ukrainian young people (aged 13-15) participated together with participants from Lithuania and Bulgaria in October 2025

All these activities were extremely valuable to us. Beyond the main events themselves, they gave us the opportunity for active and continuous cooperation with our Ukrainian partner — cooperation that was made possible thanks to the “Partnerships Beyond Borders” seminar.

THE VALUE OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: Impact on local communities

Radostyna: The impact of this cooperation went far beyond our organizations. For us in Zaporizhzhia, it meant acquiring the know-how to run international projects and to see ourselves as part of the wider European youth field. For our community, it opened doors to opportunities that had seemed distant before.

Young people who joined our projects came back transformed. Some travelled abroad for the first time, others discovered new passions or career paths. One participant told us that the youth exchange gave her the courage to start her own local initiative, while another described how the youth exchange in Poland helped him find his voice in public debates. These personal stories remind us why this work matters: international partnerships can change lives in very concrete ways.

Andrzej: As non-governmental organisations, we act as representatives of our local communities and create spaces where people can come together, talk, get to know each other, and shape their own views about the world. After these meetings, participants share their experiences with their peers, who can then, just like them, become involved in international youth exchanges.

We are glad that together with the SVOI organisation from Ukraine we share this common value and that we have gained another partner outside Poland who works with us in this field.

Why “Partnership Beyond Borders”?

Radostyna: For us, Partnership Beyond Borders is more than just the name of a seminar. It is a philosophy. It means crossing not only geographical borders, but also the invisible ones — doubts, lack of experience, fear of failure.

As an organization, our values are openness, solidarity, and empowering young people to believe in themselves. These values match perfectly with the spirit of the seminar we attended in Slovenia. Thanks to this cooperation, we gained not only knowledge and practical experience but also the confidence that even as newcomers, we could contribute to meaningful European projects.

Andrzej: During this seminar, our organization was given the opportunity to meet people who are actively involved in their communities all around the world. We are grateful for the organization of this event and for the way it has contributed to both our local and international activities.

Future cooperation and plans for further projects

Radostyna: Looking ahead, we are determined to continue building with HEureka Generator. We already see possibilities for new youth exchanges, training courses, and even long-term strategic cooperation.

We also want to “pay it forward” — to share what we have learned with other beginner NGOs in our region, just as HEureka Generator once supported us. Our dream is to create a stronger network of organizations across borders, working together to give young people more opportunities and to strengthen civil society in our communities.

Andrzej: As I mentioned earlier, building partnerships in person is the best way to find good and reliable partners. You need to meet, talk, and exchange ideas — nothing can replace that. We are grateful that we had the opportunity to take part in the meeting in Slovenia and, during it, establish partnerships that now have a strong foundation thanks to that experience.

Together with the SVOI organisation, we continuously plan and implement new activities for young people. With each action, our cooperation reaches a deeper level and involves even greater commitment from both sides.

SUMMARY: The value of international cooperation

Radostyna: Our journey from Slovenia in 2023 to today has shown us that partnerships are not just about projects, they are about people. Meeting HEureka Generator gave us a partner, a mentor, and a friend.

For NGOs like ours, international cooperation is a lifeline: it amplifies our impact, gives us tools to grow, and proves that even the smallest newcomer can make a difference when guided by solidarity and trust.

That is the true meaning of Partnership Beyond Borders — working together without limits, for the benefit of young people and our societies.

Andrzej: The value of international cooperation for us has resulted in a truly professional collaboration and in building many professional and personal friendships. I will repeat the same words as Radostyna: Partnership Beyond Borders — working together without limits, for the benefit of young people and our societies.