From the 15th to the 21st of June, I attended an Erasmus+ project called **ESD for Youth Workers** in Veliki Gaj, Serbia. Together with participants from Armenia, Slovenia, Portugal, Albania, Poland, and Serbia, we created an amazing and supportive environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their experiences and learning from one another.
The main focus of the project was self-defence, setting healthy boundaries, and understanding how to react in real-life situations. The first day was dedicated to getting to know each other and introducing the main topics of the project. It was a great opportunity to build trust within the group before moving on to more practical activities.
As the project progressed, we gradually learned different self-defence techniques. We started with the basics of protecting ourselves and later moved on to more effective ways of stopping an attacker and escaping dangerous situations safely. Although many of the techniques were primarily designed with women in mind, I, as a man, still learned a great deal. The project gave me the opportunity to better understand the challenges that many women face in their everyday lives, and it helped me develop greater empathy and awareness. I believe these lessons are valuable for everyone, regardless of gender.
Besides the educational part, the atmosphere throughout the week was exceptional. The organizing team did an outstanding job, making sure everything ran smoothly and that every participant felt included and supported. One thing that deserves special mention was the food. Our cook, Voja, put a huge amount of effort into preparing delicious meals every single day, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Overall, I would rate this project very highly. The participants formed a fantastic group, the activities were meaningful and engaging, and the organization was excellent from beginning to end. I left Serbia not only with new knowledge and practical skills, but also with new friendships, unforgettable memories, and a deeper understanding of the importance of personal safety, empathy, and mutual respect.
Vojtěch Loukota
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Funded by the European Union. The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Tempus Foundation. Under no circumstances can the European Union or the donor of the dedicated grant be held responsible for their content.