🌍 European Mobility Week in Trnava 🇸🇰
As ESC volunteers, we had the amazing opportunity to take part in European Mobility Week in Trnava — a week full of learning, collaboration, and discovery. Here’s a recap of our journey:
📅 10.09 – Arrival day
Our adventure began as we arrived from across Europe — Ukraine, Türkiye, Czechia, Portugal, and Serbia. Some of us had long travels, others shorter, but all roads led to Trnava. The city welcomed us with sunny weather, cozy streets, and a warm atmosphere that set the tone for the days ahead.
📅 11.09 – First day: Getting to know each other
We gathered at 9:00 a.m. at the Youth for Equality office. The day began with icebreakers and energizers, making it easier to connect and feel comfortable as a group.
We spent the morning doing team-building activities, followed by an introduction to the week’s program. In the afternoon, we learned about Erasmus+ opportunities and how to use Youthpass to recognize our learning. Later, we explored the city through a fun and educational city game, learning about Trnava’s rich history along the way. You could feel the excitement growing!
📅 12.09 – Teamwork & mobility
We dived deeper into the theme of teamwork, continuing with group challenges and reflection. The highlight of the day was an inspiring presentation on European Mobility Week, followed by a workshop on non-formal education. We gained new insights into how learning can happen in creative and participatory ways — beyond the classroom.
📅 13.09 – Transport & electric mobility
This day focused on public transportation and electric vehicles. Together, we explored how mobility works in different countries, shared our personal experiences, and discussed challenges related to sustainable commuting.
We also had a chance to learn more about e-mobility trends and reflect on what eco-friendly transportation could look like in our own cities. These conversations sparked valuable ideas and showed how local solutions can have global impact.
After getting the whole introduction of the topic and practical training, throughout the second week of European Mobility Week, we supported and co-organized a series of public activities and workshops aimed at raising awareness about sustainable mobility, energy-saving, and active citizenship.
Here’s what we experienced and helped make happen:
🚲 16.09 – Exploring European transport systems & future visions
We kicked off the new week with our usual energizers to boost team spirit, followed by a lively group discussion about transportation systems across Europe. Volunteers compared how different countries handle public transport, cycling, electric vehicles, and other eco-friendly solutions.
Later, we moved into a creative workshop where we invited a local youth and we began co-designing our vision for the future of mobility. The ideas we generated imagined a world with cleaner, smarter, and more accessible transportation — a vision we were excited to share with the public in the days to come.
🗣️ 17.09 – Connecting with Trnava Locals
With our visions now finalized and presented as artistic posters, we headed out into the sunny streets of Trnava for a public outreach activity.
Volunteers worked in small teams to interview local residents, asking them what they knew about European Mobility Week and their views on transport in the city. At the same time, we introduced our own ideas and shared information about Youth for Equality and our volunteer team. It was a great chance to exchange knowledge and connect with the community in a meaningful way.
🌱 18.09 – Safe energy & eco-mobility day
Wednesday’s theme was “Safe Energy”, and the day started with a presentation and group discussion on the topic with local youth. Together, we looked at both challenges and possible solutions related to sustainable energy and transport.
In the afternoon, we co-organized an eco-biking event with Trnavská Klubovňa, where we rode bikes together with local citizens and young people. We also had the chance to explore their youth centers and spend time discussing environmental topics and youth initiatives with local teens.
🗳️ 19.09 – Conference on Youth participation
Thursday marked one of the highlights of the week: we helped to organise a huge conference, which was prepared and hosted by the Youth for Equality. The focus was on democracy, youth participation and we also focused on sustainable mobility.
The discussion included guest speakers such as Nadia Nováková (European Parliament), Denisa Karabová (European Dialogue), and Mário Vrábeľ (young civic activist), who shared valuable insights on how young people can stay informed and use their voices to strengthen democracy.
Later that day, we made a trip to Bratislava to see the city at sunset, walk along the Danube (which was unusually high due to recent rains), taste traditional Slovak food, and learn more about the country’s history and culture.
♻️ 20.09 – Car-free day & Community clean-up
On Friday — also known as Car-Free Day — we supported a series of interactive workshops at our festival, using games and engaging methods to help young people understand energy-saving habits and sustainable transport.
In the afternoon, we organized a community clean-up with locals in one of Trnava’s parks, where we not only collected litter but also created small pieces of environmental art from the trash — turning waste into awareness.
🏔️ 21–22.09 – High Tatras adventure
To wrap up a dynamic and impactful week, the weekend took us out of the city and into the mountains. We spent two unforgettable days hiking in the High Tatras, visiting iconic places like Štrbské Pleso, Popradské Pleso, and Hrebienok.
Surrounded by waterfalls, nature, and postcard-perfect views, we created new memories, shared laughs, and of course, found plenty of photo opportunities. Tired but happy, we returned to Trnava filled with inspiration — and maybe just a little bit sore from all that hiking.
✨ It’s hard to imagine a more fulfilling end to the second week of our ESC volunteering journey. From organizing public events to engaging with young people and citizens, we felt the real impact of coming together for a healthier, more sustainable Europe.
The third and final week of our ESC volunteering journey during European Mobility Week in Trnava was filled with hands-on learning, cultural exchange, outdoor adventures, and meaningful reflection. As ESC volunteers, we supported Youth for Equality in co-organizing and participating in various public and educational activities aimed at raising awareness about sustainability, mobility, and intercultural understanding.
⚡ 23.09 – Visit to Jaslovské Bohunice nuclear power plant
We started the week with a study visit to the Jaslovské Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant, heading out early in the morning by bus. The visit offered us a fascinating insight into how nuclear energy is generated and how it fits into Slovakia’s energy strategy.
We learned about the plant’s operations, safety standards, and its role in the national energy grid. This experience opened up engaging group discussions about the challenges of energy sustainability and the importance of exploring greener alternatives for the future.
♻️ 24.09 – Recycling facility visit & Yoga session
We organised a field visit for local youth to the FCC recycling facility in Trnava, where we were all guided through the city’s waste management and recycling process. Staff explained how different types of waste are sorted, processed, and prepared for reuse — showing us how recycling contributes to reducing environmental impact.
In the afternoon, we balanced our intense morning with a relaxing yoga session for public in a park. This gave us a moment to unwind and reflect, while recharging both physically and mentally.
📚 25.09 – Human library & Slovak language class
As volunteers, we co-organized a Human Library event, where each of us shared our knowledge about mobility week, stories, videos, and traditions from our home countries. This form of cultural exchange deepened mutual understanding among participants and helped foster an appreciation of diversity.
Later in the day, we joined a Slovak language lesson, learning key everyday phrases and vocabulary. This not only helped us feel more confident navigating life in Trnava, but also strengthened our connection with the local community.
🏰 26.09 – Smolenice hike & Digital storytelling
We spent the morning on an international hike in Smolenice, where we explored beautiful trails, visited the fairy-tale Smolenice Castle, and admired a peaceful nearby waterfall. A special highlight was visiting honey factory, a traditional Slovak delicacy.
After returning to Trnava, we shifted gears to digital storytelling. We worked on creating social media content and promotional materials to capture and reflect the essence of our experiences during the project — not only what we did, but what it meant to us and those we met along the way.
🧘 27.09 – Reflection, yoga & public outreach
Friday was a day of balance and creativity. We began the morning with a yoga session in the park for public, followed by a mentoring and reflection workshop, giving us space to process everything we had learned and experienced throughout the project.
At the same time, part of our team helped to organise a public event on sustainability, where we shared the outcomes of our volunteering and discussed sustainability with the public. Some of us also worked on digital content creation, producing blogs, videos, and social media posts that captured the spirit of our ESC journey.
In the evening, we wrapped up the day with board games and a fun karaoke night, celebrating the friendships and memories we had made.
🧭 30.09 – Final presentations, CV Workshop & evaluation
The last Monday of the project was dedicated to dissemination and closure. In the morning, we visited a local school to share our results and experiences from European Mobility Week with students, encouraging them to think critically about mobility, sustainability, and international volunteering.
Later, we took part in a career-focused workshop, where we worked on updating our CVs, highlighting the new skills we had developed — from teamwork and public speaking to event organization and intercultural communication. We reflect our our knowledge through Youthpass and participated in a final evaluation session with Youth for Equality, reflecting on what the project had meant to each of us. Besides, we had a mentor available every day and we organised reflections several times per week.
✈️ 01.10 – Wrapping up and goodbyes
Our last day was all about mentoring, reflection, and preparing for departure. We shared our follow-up plans — how we want to bring this experience back to our communities — and made time for final thoughts, hugs, and farewells.
While our time in Trnava came to an end, the friendships, knowledge, and memories we created will stay with us long after the journey home. 💛