The Youth Department of Dénia City Council hosted the final meeting of the European Erasmus+ project "Move-Up"This initiative promotes youth participation, international cooperation, and a commitment to sustainability through exchanges among young Europeans. The event was held on [dates missing]. 14 & 15 of July in Dénia, bringing together participants from Malaga y Beja (Portugal) with the city's youth correspondents.
Dénia, center of a cultural and environmental exchange
During the two days, the Casal Jove It became the meeting point for this international mobility, where the eight young people from Malaga y Beja They shared experiences with the youth correspondents of Dénia. The program combined visits to castlethe museums and the historic center to discover the history, the crop and the heritage of Dénia and the Marina Alta.
Among the highlights was a workshop held aboard a catamaran, in collaboration with the NGO xalocThe project focuses on raising awareness about marine biodiversity and coastal protection. The Youth Department is participating in this project along with partner organizations. Maestrices (Málaga) y Museums and Monuments from Portugal (Beja), with the technical support of the Valencian consultancy Sequoia ProDénia has been the city chosen to host this final meeting, following the previous exchanges held in Malaga y Beja.
Institutional and participant voices
The Mayor of Dénia, Rafa CarrióDuring the welcome address to the group, she emphasized the importance of these initiatives because "young people learn about other realities while still loving their own territory. Sharing our language, our culture, the gastronomy Sharing heritage with people from other countries is also a way to build a closer and more cohesive Europe."
For his part, the Councillor for Youth, Valentín Alcalá, emphasized that "we continue to be committed to ensuring that the youth of Dénia have real opportunities to grow, travel, train, and share experiences with other young Europeans. Projects like Move-UP demonstrate that Europe is also built from the municipalities and from spaces like the Casal Jove."
The partner organizations have given a very positive assessment of the meeting held in Dénia. Luciano Rafael, the project manager for Museums and Monuments of PortugalJosé David Arribas highlighted "the excellent organization, hospitality, and involvement of the Dénia City Council's Youth team and Sequoia Pro." Teachers, has highlighted the activities developed around the natural and cultural heritage of the city and the historical links shared with other Mediterranean territories.
The youth correspondents from Dénia have also given the experience very positive reviews. After participating in the mobility programs... Malaga y BejaThey have now hosted their European counterparts, showing them the city and sharing their everyday spaces. "It has been a unique experience. We really enjoyed being able to show our city and seeing the interest it generates. We are eager to continue participating in projects like this," they explained.
A project that fosters European awareness
With this meeting, the project's journey concludes. Move-Up, an initiative that has allowed young people from the three territories to share experiences, promote environmental volunteering, strengthen their European awareness and create new cooperation links.
For the Department of Youth, this experience represents an example of the work being done to offer the youth of Dénia new opportunities for participation, international mobility and learning, consolidating the Casal Jove as a space open to Europe and to the personal development of the young people of the municipality.
