Beyond the Bubble is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange bringing together young people from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Spain, and Austria to explore critical thinking, media literacy, and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence. Under the motto “Think critically. Create freely. Live mindfully,” participants will spend a week in Latvia questioning how information — and misinformation — shapes the way we see the world.
- Date: 8. – 14. September 2026 (Tuesday and Monday are travel days)
- Location: Pāvilosta, Latvia
- Profile of participants: 5 participants (aged 18–30) + 1 group leader (no age limit)
- Registration: https://forms.gle/zVCcXJVd8iuXRreC8
Programme Highlights
Through hands-on, non-formal activities, participants will:
- Learn to analyse information, verify sources, and spot logical fallacies
- Explore how AI and algorithms shape our “information bubbles” and decision-making
- Compare working with and without AI to weigh its benefits and risks
- Use AI as a creative tool — while keeping their own ideas and voice at the center
- Develop peer-oriented guidelines or a mini awareness campaign on responsible AI use
- Take part in intercultural evenings, outdoor activities, and get to know the Baltic coastal town of Pāvilosta
Who Should Apply
- Aged 18–30 (group leader 18+)
- Open to non-formal learning, group work, and intercultural exchange
- Curious about media literacy, misinformation, and how AI and algorithms shape what we see online
- Priority given to young people with fewer opportunities — facing geographical, economic, social, or cultural barriers
What will you gain?
During the exchange, participants will:
- develop the ability to analyze information, distinguish facts from opinions, and verify source reliability
- train argumentation, recognition of logical fallacies, and constructive discussion skills
- understand how AI and algorithms influence information “bubbles,” attention, and decision-making
- practically compare working with and without AI to recognize both benefits and risks for critical thinking
- foster creativity by using AI as an inspiration tool while maintaining authorship and original ideas
- develop youth-created “Responsible AI Use” guidelines or a mini-campaign for peers
Practical information
- Accommodation: Participants will stay at the Butterfly House, a guest house within walking distance of the Pāvilosta bus stop, in shared rooms with private kitchens and bathrooms. Bed linen is provided once; participants should bring their own if they’d like it changed during the stay.
- Food: Covered by Erasmus+ for the duration of the training.
- What to bring: Comfortable outdoor clothing and shoes, a reusable water bottle, personal hygiene items (including shampoo and any medications you need, plus something to share about your country for the intercultural evening.
Travel arrangements
Travel costs will be reimbursed after the mobility, up to the maximum amount set by Erasmus+ for your distance band. For participants traveling from Austria, this is 309 EUR (or 417 EUR for green travel — i.e. no flights). Keep all tickets, boarding passes, and receipts — these are required for reimbursement.
Getting there:
- Arriving at Riga Airport (RIX): Served by several airlines, including Air Baltic, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Finnair, LOT, Ryanair, and Norwegian.
- From the airport to Riga city center: Take bus number 22 (€1.50, ~40 minutes). Check timetable here.
- Connecting from Vilnius or Tallinn: Both cities are well-linked to Riga by bus via Lux Express, Ecolines, or FlixBus.
- From Riga to Pāvilosta: Take a bus from Riga to Liepāja, then change to a bus to Pāvilosta at the “Kursa” stop. The Riga coach station is in the city center, near the main train station — or get off bus 22 at the “Autoosta” stop if you’re coming straight from the airport. Check timetable here.
How to apply?
- Register for the training here: https://forms.gle/zVCcXJVd8iuXRreC8
- Wait for confirmation from ACTIVE Austria team and further instructions.
- Plan your travels and send us your travel plan for approval.
- Wait for confirmation of your travel plan and joint the event!