From April 15th to 18th, our three ESC volunteers, Jan, Markus, and Milia, took part in the mid-term training for their journey in Brežice. Following tradition, MOVIT organized this training for the volunteers who are halfway through their long-term volunteering mission.

Over the course of a few days, our volunteers connected with peers not only from Ljubljana but also from across Slovenia. Together, they built on these bonds to take a deeper dive into the meaningful changes and personal growth they’ve experienced in recent months. The training was all about tapping into their collective intelligence — using group energy and shared insights to reflect, assess, and make sense of the journey so far.

It’s already been seven months since the volunteers first joined the EUSA office, and this milestone offered a valuable opportunity to pause and reflect. Taking a step back, each person was invited to revisit their initial goals and measure them against their personal and professional growth so far. In this process, the group facilitators acted as a bridge between the volunteer community and what comes next. Whether it’s further studies, travel, or entering the workforce, the volunteers took time to focus on what they truly envision for their near future.

Being in Slovenia, it was only natural that this training would take a turn towards the outdoors and a deeper connection with the elements. True to the spirit of non-formal education, several workshops took place by the Krka River, blending reflection with movement. Some sessions even took on a more physical and playful twist, using sport and nature-based activities to help participants explore their ikigai — that spot where purpose, passion, and potential meet.

Throughout the training, one message stood out clearly: learning and questioning are key. Equally important is the courage to try new things — and perhaps even more so, the courage to feel hopeful. Hopeful enough to believe in the possibility of shaping a better future. As the volunteers return home — wherever “home” may be — they carry this spirit with them: a mindset rooted in curiosity, connection, and the quiet strength to take action, one step at a time.

Milia, Markus, and Jan return re-energised and ready for the upcoming EUSA Championships season. They look forward to contributing to the organisation of events that reflect the values they’ve embraced: commitment, solidarity, and meaningful cooperation.

This training was supported by the National Agency of the EU Programmes and the Erasmus+: Youth and European Solidarity Corps. We would like to thank MOVIT, the Institute for the development of youth mobility, which coordinates ESC missions within their hosting organizations, for their dedication and the work they put in throughout the whole week to give our three volunteers such a memorable welcome to Slovenia.

European Solidarity Corps (ESC; former European Voluntary Service - EVS) opportunities with EUSA are possible because of the support from the European Union and Movit, the National Agency in Slovenia. EUSA Institute is an accredited organisation, with the European Solidarity Corps quality label.