Any plans for this summer?

From 17 to 26 August 2026, VIEWS International is looking for four young people living in Belgium to join VIPSport without Barriers, an inclusive youth exchange taking place in Botassart, in the Belgian Ardennes. The activity is funded by the Erasmus+ programme.

Over ten days, you will discover adapted sports, spend time outdoors, meet young people from Belgium, Finland, France, Romania, Slovenia and Türkiye, and experience how sport can bring people together. Whether you have already tried adapted sports or are simply curious to learn something new, this exchange is a chance to stay active, make new connections and share experiences in an inclusive environment.

Who can apply?

We are looking for:

• two young people with visual impairments;
• two sighted young people;
• aged between 18 and 30;
• living in Belgium;
• able to communicate in English.

What can you expect?

During the exchange, you will:

• discover inclusive and adapted sports;
• enjoy outdoor activities in the Belgian Ardennes;
• meet participants from six European countries;
• take part in team challenges and intercultural activities;
• learn more about accessibility, inclusion and teamwork.

Accommodation, meals and activities are provided throughout the exchange, and travel costs are reimbursed according to Erasmus+ rules.

Interested? To apply and for any questions contact us at office@viewsinternational.eu!

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Des projets pour cet été ?

Du 17 au 26 août 2026, VIEWS International recherche quatre jeunes vivant en Belgique pour participer à VIPSport without Barriers, un échange de jeunes inclusif qui se déroulera à Botassart, dans les Ardennes belges. Cette activité est financée par le programme Erasmus+.

Pendant dix jours, tu découvriras des sports adaptés, profiteras d’activités en plein air, rencontreras des jeunes venus de Belgique, de Finlande, de France, de Roumanie, de Slovénie et de Turquie, et découvriras comment le sport peut rassembler les personnes. Que tu aies déjà pratiqué des sports adaptés ou que tu sois simplement curieux·se d’essayer quelque chose de nouveau, cet échange est l’occasion de rester actif·ve, de faire de nouvelles rencontres et de partager une expérience dans un environnement inclusif.

Qui peut participer ?

Nous recherchons :

• deux jeunes ayant une déficience visuelle ;
• deux jeunes voyants ;
• âgés de 18 à 30 ans ;
• vivant en Belgique ;
• capables de communiquer en anglais.

À quoi peux-tu t’attendre ?

Pendant l’échange, tu pourras :

• découvrir des sports inclusifs et adaptés ;
• profiter d’activités en plein air dans les Ardennes belges ;
• rencontrer des participant·e·s de six pays européens ;
• participer à des défis en équipe et à des activités interculturelles ;
• en apprendre davantage sur l’accessibilité, l’inclusion et le travail d’équipe.

L’hébergement, les repas et les activités sont pris en charge pendant toute la durée de l’échange, et les frais de voyage sont remboursés conformément aux règles du programme Erasmus+.

Ça te tente ? Pour postuler ou si tu as des questions, écris-nous à office@viewsinternational.eu.

Organised by Babilon Travel NGO, the exchange will bring together young people from Belgium, Romania, Serbia, Hungary and Germany for a week of outdoor activities, intercultural learning and discussions on environmental sustainability and social inclusion. The exchange is designed to be fully accessible and welcomes young people with and without sensory impairments.

What will you do?

Throughout the week, participants will:

• take part in outdoor activities, including hiking and kayaking;
• explore environmental sustainability through non-formal learning activities;
• discuss social inclusion and accessibility with young people from across Europe;
• develop communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills;
• experience intercultural learning in an inclusive international group.

Who can apply?

We are looking for 6 young people who:

• are 18–30 years old;
• are Belgian citizens or legal residents;
• can communicate in English;
• are interested in inclusion, environmental sustainability and meeting young people from different cultures.

No previous Erasmus+ experience is required.

Practical Information

Dates: 27–31 July 2026 (excluding travel days)

Location: Botassart, Belgium

Participation costs: Accommodation, meals and travel costs are co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme.

Apply

If you would like to take part in Step Into Action, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at office@viewsinternational.eu

My On-Arrival Training took place from the 1th to the 5th of June in a small village next to Halle, in Flanders. We were around 20 ESC Volunteers from several countries like France, Türkye, Spain, Italy, Palestine, Germany.

I have really enjoyed the seminar as I got to meet many new people from different backgrounds. The environment was very open and friendly, we participated in a lot of activities to get to know each other, but it felt really natural to just talk, and ask questions. We talked about our projects, our personal lives, our own experience here in Belgium and the ESC programme, but also about the history of Belgium, which was very interesting to me.

We often worked in smaller groups or in pairs and presented our thoughts to each other, but we also spent a lot of time all together, sitting and sharing our ideas in a big circle. I really enjoyed the open, respectful atmosphere we created together.

We also had the chance to travel together to work on a group project. My group and I went to Brussels and we really had a good time together.

I think that this Seminar was really an important part of my ESC project here in Belgium, because I had the chance to meet a lot of cool personalities and get new perspectives on me and on my time here.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Hello everyone! I’m Caroline, currently in the Netherlands since nearly 8 months. So much has happened since the first months. It’s hard to sum up my experience in just a few words and photos, but I’ll give it a go!

Since January, two new people have moved in and share our house with my roommate July. Together, we work hard on the farm, whether during the cold, snowy winter months, the lovely spring months, or the last few stormy, hot months. We’ve seen the landscape change far more than we’d ever noticed before. Working mainly outdoors and moving mostly by bike is a completely new experience for me. I’m grateful to be living in such beautiful countryside.

At work, I now feel closer to everyone: staff, volunteers and participants (people with mental disabilities). I learnt a lot from each of them and so much about myself too. Being faced with new people and new situations in a new country is teaching me a lot.

The work hasn’t changed much, but I now feel more confident about taking initiatives, asking more questions, training new people, and so on. In the vegetable garden, the tasks vary depending on the vegetables in season, but we always have to plant, weed, and harvest. At the dairy, it’s very regular, I go there on Wednersday to prepare the quark (kind of fromage blanc). In the stable, I milk the cows on Tuesday mornings (at 6:30 AM!), then I take them out to pasture and clean cowshed.

Finally, I do lots of activities with my roommates. We’ve been to Dutch special events and concerts, visited several towns, gone swimming in a nearby lake and had picnics. At home, we sometimes cook dinner together, watch movies and just chat and laugh a lot. I’ve made some wonderful friends, and it’ll be hard to say goodbye to them when this project comes to an end. But I’ll tell you how I’m feeling back to Belgium next time! I hope my adventure inspires you to try that kind of experience yourself. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to know more.

Bye bye!

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

As part of the ALTFuture project in Romania, we organised an activity with the young people of La Baraka. Around fifteen participants joined us for a morning filled with reflection, discussion, and shared experiences.

We began with the activity “The Rainbow of Values”. The young people were invited to reflect on the values that matter most to them and represent them through a drawing. The longer the line, the more important the value; the thicker the line, the more energy it requires in their daily lives. Using paper and coloured markers, each participant created their own rainbow of values. They were then asked to imagine and draw how their values might look in ten years’ time.

We then continued with an activity based on the concept of Ikigai. Often translated as “reason for being” or “purpose in life”, Ikigai is a Japanese philosophy that encourages reflection on what gives meaning to our lives. Through a series of questions and circles to complete, the young people explored their passions, motivations and the elements they consider essential to their personal fulfilment.

The morning was both enriching and inspiring, offering many opportunities for discussion, self-reflection and discovery. We shared a convivial moment in a warm, respectful and supportive atmosphere.

A big thank you to all the participants for their enthusiasm, openness and active involvement throughout the workshop!

How accessible are digital learning tools and employment opportunities for young people with visual or hearing impairments in Belgium? What barriers still exist, and what does reasonable accommodation and meaningful support truly look like?

These are some of the questions behind Inclusive Horizons (InHo), a European Erasmus+ project bringing together partners from Belgium, Greece, Poland, Spain, and Romania to promote more inclusive and accessible pathways in education and employment.

As part of the Belgian research phase coordinated by VIEWS International, we are currently inviting young people aged 15 to 30 with visual or hearing impairments to participate in a short anonymous questionnaire.

The survey explores experiences related to digital learning, accessibility, employability, and inclusion, with the aim of identifying both existing barriers and practical solutions.

The results will contribute to research reports and help shape future accessibility tools and resources developed within the project.

The questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and participation is entirely voluntary and anonymous.

Deadline: 20 June

English version

Version française

If you know someone who may be interested, we warmly encourage you to share this opportunity!

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FR

Contribuez à améliorer l’accessibilité et l’inclusion des jeunes en situation de handicap sensoriel

Dans quelle mesure les outils numériques d’apprentissage et les opportunités professionnelles sont-ils réellement accessibles aux jeunes en situation de handicap visuel ou auditif en Belgique ? Quels obstacles persistent encore aujourd’hui, et à quoi ressemblent concrètement des aménagements raisonnables et un accompagnement réellement inclusif ?

Ce sont quelques-unes des questions au cœur du projet Inclusive Horizons (InHo), un projet européen Erasmus+ réunissant des partenaires en Belgique, en Grèce, en Pologne, en Espagne et en Roumanie afin de promouvoir des parcours plus inclusifs et accessibles dans les domaines de l’éducation et de l’emploi.

Dans le cadre de la phase de recherche menée en Belgique par VIEWS International, nous invitons actuellement les jeunes âgés de 15 à 30 ans en situation de handicap visuel ou auditif à participer à un court questionnaire anonyme.

L’enquête porte sur les expériences liées à l’apprentissage numérique, à l’accessibilité, à l’employabilité et à l’inclusion, dans le but d’identifier à la fois les obstacles existants et des solutions concrètes.

Les résultats contribueront à des rapports de recherche et au développement d’outils et de ressources pratiques en matière d’accessibilité dans le cadre du projet.

Le questionnaire prend environ 10 minutes et la participation est entièrement volontaire et anonyme.

Date limite : 20 juin

Version française

English Version

Si vous connaissez des personnes susceptibles d’être intéressées, n’hésitez pas à partager cette opportunité autour de vous!

The goal is to better understand the challenges, needs, and good practices linked to inclusive education, digital accessibility, employability, and the transition from education to the labour market.

These exchanges will directly contribute to the research phase of the project and support the development of practical tools and recommendations aimed at fostering more accessible and inclusive learning and professional environments.

We are currently looking for:

• educators,
• youth workers,
• inclusion professionals,
• guidance counsellors,
• and organizations supporting young people with visual or hearing impairments.

The sessions can take place online or in person and generally last between 40 and 60 minutes.

If you would like to participate, or if you know professionals who may be interested, we would be very happy to hear from you. Contact us at office@viewsinternational.eu!

By sharing experiences and perspectives, participants will help contribute to a broader reflection on how to make educational and professional pathways more accessible for all.

Appel à participation: Entretiens et focus groups sur l’inclusion et l’accessibilité

Dans le cadre du projet Erasmus+ Inclusive Horizons (InHo), VIEWS International organise actuellement en Belgique une série d’entretiens et de focus groups réunissant des éducateurs, travailleurs de jeunesse, professionnels et acteurs impliqués auprès de jeunes en situation de handicap visuel ou auditif.

L’objectif est de mieux comprendre les défis, les besoins et les bonnes pratiques liés à l’éducation inclusive, à l’accessibilité numérique, à l’employabilité ainsi qu’à la transition entre le milieu scolaire et le monde du travail.

Ces échanges contribueront directement à la phase de recherche du projet et soutiendront le développement d’outils pratiques et de recommandations visant à favoriser des environnements éducatifs et professionnels plus accessibles et inclusifs.

Nous recherchons actuellement :

• des éducateurs et éducatrices,
• des travailleurs et travailleuses de jeunesse,
• des professionnel·les de l’inclusion,
• des conseiller·ères en orientation,
• ainsi que des structures accompagnant des jeunes en situation de handicap visuel ou auditif.

Les rencontres peuvent se dérouler en ligne ou en présentiel et durent généralement entre 40 et 60 minutes.

Si vous souhaitez participer, ou si vous connaissez des professionnel·les susceptibles d’être intéressé·es, nous serions ravis d’échanger avec vous. Contactez-nous à office@viewsinternational.eu!

En partageant leurs expériences et perspectives, les participant·es contribueront à une réflexion collective sur la manière de rendre les parcours éducatifs et professionnels plus accessibles à toutes et tous.

On April 4th, Carmen, Selma, Silviu, and I headed to CPSE Liège for a day that went far beyond a standard awareness session. As an ESC volunteer, I’m used to new experiences, but this session was special. We weren’t just there to talk; we were there to bridge the gap between “theory” and “reality” for the people who are shaping and will shape the next generation of our community: social studies students, educators and youth workers. The energy was infectious from the start. We didn’t just show them inclusive tools; we put them to work. This hands-on approach is vital because true inclusion starts with understanding the lived experience.

• Exploring Tactile Play: It was eye-opening to watch the students realize how a simple game changes when you rely on touch rather than sight.
• Navigating the Streets: We took the training outside, teaching the “human guide” method and white cane techniques. There is a profound shift in perspective that happens when you have to trust a partner to navigate the sidewalk (it builds a level of empathy that a textbook simply can’t provide).

The most important part of my day was the incredible exchange we had with the participants! We talked and exposed the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) opportunities for young people and the participants had so many questions about our projects, especially regarding my and Silviu’s journey as volunteers. By sharing our path we showed them that international opportunities are for everyone! Often, young people with disabilities or fewer opportunities feel that traveling abroad or volunteering in another country is a closed door – not only because of physical barriers but also due to socio-economic ones. They may never even apply because they don’t believe these programs are “for them”. But educators, teachers, youth workers are the frontline to open them! By sharing the possibilities to the youth, you aren’t just giving them a brochure: you are giving them the tools to gain independence, confidence, and be part of a global community they might never have dreamed of reaching!

Sofia Mangiaterra

Our journey started with an introductory seminar designed to melt the ice. On the very first night, we held the International Night, a vibrant celebration of European diversity. Standing with the Belgian team, I presented local specialties while tasting flavors from our neighbors in Germany, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. 

Of course, it quickly turned into a wonderful party filled with music and dancing! It was the perfect way to realize that while we come from different places, we share the same heartbeat: a goal to empower youth.

Throughout the week, we dove deep into the concept of intercultural learning, diversity and Inclusion, Communication, Conflict management, and International Project writing, and much more. We used creative tools like “identity flowers” to map out who we are: a difficult question that forces you to interrogate not only yourself but the world around you. 

In one of the most eye-opening exercises, we split into groups to create entirely new cultures: the “Spi” and the “Fa.” We developed our own social rules, values, and languages, then “met” the other culture. Without knowing each other’s codes or meanings behind gestures, we faced the raw difficulties of intercultural exchange.

This experience taught us how to deconstruct our own biases and explore practical activities to teach young people about diversity and inclusion.

Connected to this was our work on conflict management. We simulated being mediators in various contexts, learning the delicate balance of group dynamics. From this, I walked away with three new skills:

• Navigating cultural communication styles within a diverse team.
• “active listening” to ensure every voice is truly heard.
• Managing the natural tensions that arise when a group tries to innovate together.

The most rewarding part of the week was the “engine room” of project management. I worked closely with my peers to:

• Draft SMART Objectives: Writing specific goals for a project focused on environmental awareness and sustainable lifestyles.
• Co-Creation: Visualizing a project’s lifecycle, from the initial spark to budgeting and final impact assessment, on large sheets of craft paper.
• The Pitch: Developing the confidence to present our projects clearly and inclusively to the entire group.

Although, the learning didn’t stop at the classroom door; it continued through every meal, break, and late-evening conversation. One highlight was our city exploration of Trier, where we split into small groups for “funny tasks”: interviewing statues, taking photos with locals and much more.

After the city visit, we shared a group dinner in a rustic local restaurant, a moment filled with laughter but also a touch of sadness, knowing our time together was drawing to a close.

The final night was a huge goodbye party back at our accommodation. It was full of music, tears, and emotion, but also immense hope. We left with the promise to meet again and a shared drive to work together and give back to others everything we had the opportunity to learn!

Sofia Mangiaterra