A foundation born from student initiative
EUROWEEK is a Polish educational foundation based in Bystrzyca Kłodzka, in the Kłodzko Valley. It exists to give young people — and, more recently, adults — a space where they can practise languages, develop leadership and creativity, and meet people from other cultures face to face.
Everything started in 1994, when a group of students from Kłodzko interested in European integration, democracy and socio-cultural activities decided to build something practical: a community developed through the participation of young people themselves. They called their project "European Integration Youth and Region" and launched the first seminar in Międzygórze.
From those beginnings, Euroweek grew into a regular program of educational camps and seminars. In 1998 the project became fully integrated as an Erasmus project. What began as one Euroweek per month gradually turned into three to five hotels running seminars simultaneously — five at the summer peak.
The people who make the seminars work are the Youth Leaders: international volunteers who come to Poland through partner organisations and referrals. University students were among the earliest participants; later the program opened to primary, junior high and high school students from all over Poland.
In July 2016, Euroweek welcomed its first international participants from Turkey — the beginning of the International Euroweek program. Today the foundation continues to look for new country partnerships and new schools that want to bring their students into this experience.
Students in Kłodzko found the movement under the name "European Integration Youth and Region"; the first seminar takes place in Międzygórze.
Conferences and seminars with government officials and embassy consuls; the program grows within the region.
The project becomes fully integrated as an Erasmus project.
Growth from one Euroweek per month to 3–5 hotels running seminars simultaneously; Youth Leaders arrive from around the world; programs open to primary, junior high and high school students.
First international participants, from Turkey, join the first Euroweek International Youth Program. The search for new country partnerships begins.
Five program lines — primary, junior high, high school, university and adults — plus school visits across Poland and cultural trips around Europe.
Our values
Six simple principles that volunteers and participants are asked to bring to every seminar.
Hard work
Real progress comes from days filled with effort — from volunteers and participants alike.
Timeliness
A seminar week only works when everyone respects each other's time.
Positivity
Energy is contagious. A good mood is part of the method, not a bonus.
Creativity
Every workshop is an invitation to try, make, invent and improvise.
Responsibility
Looking after a group — and after yourself — is part of what the program teaches.
Open-mindedness
The whole point of the program is meeting difference with curiosity instead of suspicion.
What has been written about us
Polish local and national media have followed Euroweek camps, school visits and the work of our volunteers over the years. A selection of published articles:
Meet the people behind the seminars
Our Youth Leaders come from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Read what they do — or become one of them.