Let's Disconnect

The project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

"Let’s Disconnect" was an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange about digital disconnection and sustainability.

The main activity of the project took place between 3 and 11 July 2025 in Mezőberény, Hungary, bringing together 31 young people from Greece, Italy, Portugal, Estonia and Hungary for a unique non-formal learning experience.

Check out the daily Reels on Instagram!

Daily blog

Day 1

Ready for the digital disconnection?

Participants still had their phones during this day... until not. 

Day 2

"Dear people who care about us,

Day 1 without our phones - 19 hours 

Last night, we had our disconnection ceremony. Everyone seemed excited to give up their phones afterwards. We started playing games, dancing, getting to know each other. We started the disconnection. 

Since we're not used to being without our phones, we have to create some rules to organize our disconnected lives. One of them being that every day, a different group is responsible for waking everyone up. Today, Denise, a very responsible Italian girl, was in charge of this, and she did such a great job that she woke everyone up one hour earlier than she was supposed to. 

After breakfast, we met in the activity room. We did some workshops concerning our everyday lives and the ideal life portrayed by social media. We also learned about how to establish new habits, and each of us chose a habit that we'll practice here daily. 

Later, we had a great lunch, and each national group spent some time preparing for their cultural nights, which will happen in the upcoming days. During the afternoon, we divided into two groups and debated about questions concerning social media. It was interesting to see how everyone behaved during this activity since we impersonated different characters that we couldn't necessarily relate to. 

After finishing this letter, we'll have dinner and then join Hungary and Romania's Intercultural Nights. Just cultural nights. We’re excited about what's about to come. We love you guys, enjoy your days without us. Today's letter was written by Nilesh, Marco, Csenge, Alex Miguel, and Paula.🦁"

Day 3

"The highlight of the day was the self-exposure because we had the chance to share something close to our hearts.

In the morning, the people assigned with the Time Duty woke us up with a beautiful Hungarian song called “Süss fel nap!”, so we had a fresh start for the day. 

The day started with an Energizer and continued with an activity about discovering ourselves, exploring future professions, passions and our future contribution to the world. 

We proceeded with the lunch. In the afternoon, we did some meditation and had some time to take care of ourselves. We closed the activity with some speeches and performances we prepared prior. We had the chance to be vulnerable, to know more about each other and be closer as a group.

After dinner, we had the cultural night organized by the Greek and Spanish team."

Day 4

"Hey, Family and Friends,

Today, the Bubbly group writes the blog, which means Domenico, Denise Raul, Dimitris Bianca, and Timi. Yesterday was the most disconnected day ever. As we ran out of light because of a rough storm, but it was the perfect way to connect even more among each other. 

Today's activities were focused on framing the present moment in different creative ways, because what's better than digging into our emotions and being aware? It really was the right moment to challenge ourselves. As we had to change all of our plans. Work without electricity, adapt to an unusual environment, while still supporting our community bond. But yo, we are super fine and rocking in our time here. 

As of today, we really understood how special it is to be together. As now we are really conscious that our differences fulfill and strengthen every one of us. 

Then today was Italian Intercultural night. Beside the tough lack of tools available, Magdalena, Denise, Francesca, Domenico, Nilesh, and Marco created a safe, funny, and welcoming Italian home feeling this. The activities were an Italian language tutorial. Cultural quits whose prize was Italian citizenship, while all sang the national anthem. Then Nilesh, Maddalena and Denise taught us about the reality of double nationalities, a window to our globalization era that raised awareness on how people can belong to different nationalities as a reflection of each one's history. It’s more of a choice, where you feel you belong. Because of that, Nilesh sang an Indian song to pay homage to his culture.

After that, we moved to the comedy side with the trashiest but most iconic TV show of Italy: Uomini e Donne (Men and Women) featuring Domenico interpreting the host, Maria De Filippi. We wanted to involve the whole group, so we called for volunteers who had either to flirt or to be conquered. It was the perfect and hilarious occasion to witness theatrical skills on a first try.

Then we did a traditional Cicirinella dance facilitated by Dennis. The chorus was led by Marco, Magdalena, and Domenico. To top it all off, the Italian team provided fantastic starters, main courses, and desserts in a pure, homemade, traditional Italian restaurant vibe Nilesh’s special recipe of an Italian tiramisu won this round.

Everyone was full in their stomach and in their heart. Mamma mia, what a lovely day. A big kiss-kiss from the bubbly group!"

Day 5

"Dear people, the peacock is alive. 

Today, we escaped from Mezőberény to the nearest civilization called Békéscsaba. The temptation of peeking at other people's phones or the restaurant's TV was high, but fortunately, we made it. Other than eating really delicious Italian food today, we enjoyed connecting with the community of Békéscsaba.

As we were navigating the streets without our phones, we found out how much kindness people have to offer. We received laughs, love, smiles, and, of course… free watermelons and apricots. In exchange, we offered compliments to strangers in Hungarian (it was hard to learn), bubbles and games for the kids and a place for them to express themselves. We may have won at chess (actually demolished them, sorry, we have Francesca in our team) but they definitely won our hearts and appreciation. 

The rain was the perfect occasion for us to either go thrift shopping or singing “It's My Life” in the middle of the city. We got soaked in emotions and… water. Despite the challenges of approaching people of a foreign country, the whole experience was made easier by our own little community. We are in love with this group🤍 The support we care we are all receiving from each other is truly inspiring. 

Great things happen when, instead of being on our phones, we connect with the people around us. Can't wait to share more about these memories with you. See you soon - Dorka, Bianca, Pavlos, Francesca, and Elli - Tears of Joy group."

Day 6

"Good morning, everyone!

Here are the news from Mezőberény. We are 1D(isconnection) team, and this is what happened on Wednesday, July 9th, 2025. 

But first, the weather forecasts: rain was expected yesterday, but this didn't stop the young participants to have lots of fun.

The day started with little cute kittens, meowing in front of the rooms of the participants. 

BREAKING NEWS 

WANTED! One participant has gathered an impressive collection of things like an AC remote, a tablecloth, a CD, and ... a credit card?!?!?!

We continue with a self-exploration and nature connection walk in the park of the beautiful town, while completely silent. It was very peaceful, and the group had the opportunity to admire the surroundings. Then the participants had the time to have a group conversation about the experience. They reported that they had a unique time together, but always in silence. 

Lost in her thoughts, a participant got actually lost in the park, but two brave heroes rescued the Sleeping Beauty.

Now, let's switch to culture and arts: a new exhibition "We are the museum of every person we've met before" is now open, thanks to the contribution of the young folks. From quizzes to dancing, sculptures, and paintings, everyone showed their creativity in all possible ways. 

Moving on with the second part of the afternoon, the participants could choose between doing sports or participating on a session about active listening. The sport lovers had the chance to play football and badminton in a really competitive way. Whereas the self-explorers participated in a workshop on the element of empathic listening to be more aware and conscious of their needs. In order to orientate in the unknown path of life with more trust in themselves and others; they were blindfolded and practiced emotional debate.

The day ended with a Bachata and Merengue class organized by the Spanish team. The group had the time of their lives!!!

BREAKING NEWS 

The participant has returned all the stolen items. She's now free of accusation. It turned out she saved them from external forces.

And that's all for today. Thank you for attention.

The 1D(isconnection) team: Bali, Fotini, Iulian, Justin and Maddalena."

Day 7

Closing...