1. Think like an European - Act locally The Volunteering Teams project "Think like an European - Act locally" in Madeira, hosted by Teatro Metaphora, brought together a diverse group of eight young people from different countries and cultures. Throughout October 2025 they travelled the Island to promote the opportunities of Erasmus +, DiscoverEU and the European Solidarity Corps in schools in a non formal way, with the aim to make Europe more youthful, green and connected. They talked with students, played games with them and created Social Media content. Beyond the formal activities the volunteers explored Madeira, its beautiful landscape and the local traditions. This report collects the reflections and insights of each participant, illustrating how this volunteering experience contributed to their development, strengthened their European identity, and left a lasting mark on both the volunteers and the host community. SIMONE When I came across this opportunity on the EU portal, I knew immediately that I couldn’t miss it. I had seen Madeira and its incredible landscapes many times online, but I never had the chance to visit. This project allowed me to explore one of the most amazing places I have ever been. I hiked along levadas, old irrigation channels that wind through forests and valleys, walked on steep sea cliffs, and moved through the fog until we found ourselves above a sea of clouds, basking in the sunset glow. I also swam in the wavy ocean, took boat trips while watching dolphins and whales, and enjoyed many more unforgettable experiences. During this volunteering project, I met fantastic people from other European countries, with whom I formed lifelong friendships. We shared moments and experiences that I will never forget. Together, we visited schools to share information about European opportunities, giving young people the chance to have life-changing experiences like ours. I will miss my new friends, Teatro Metaphora, which made me feel part of a big family, and the island of Madeira.

2. FRIEDA When I saw this opportunity to go to Madeira, I immediately sent it to my friend, asking if she would go with me. It was my first international volunteering experience and I was scared to do it alone. When I got the e-mail that I got in and my friend didn't, I knew that this experience would be life-changing for me. And it was. I took a flight alone for the first time and immediately felt welcome. I fell in love with the organization, the island and volunteering. While promoting Erasmus plus and esc in schools I learned so much about these programs and I realized that I want to volunteer again in the future. I loved travelling in a group and experiencing things I wouldn't have done alone, like hitchhiking around the island or going on a boat trip. MAJA It was my first volunteering experience so when I arrived in Madeira I didn’t know what to expect, but as soon as I got to Teatro Metaphora I received a warm welcome and with that all the worries flew away. The whole month was filled with joy, learning, and unforgettable experiences. For example, we helped spread the word in schools about European opportunities. I’m really glad I could be a part of this, because so many people I met weren’t aware that programs like these exist and often miss out on life-changing opportunities. We also had some free time, in which we got to explore the entire island of Madeira. We spent a lot of time together, that's why not only did I learn about local culture but also about the countries of other volunteers. I can definitely say that I saw some of the most beautiful places and met some of the most amazing people.

3. NICOLE This experience in Madeira has been beautiful thanks to several factors: the people I met, the environment we lived in, the activities we carried out, the support from our hosting organization, and of course, the island itself. Our main work was with Eurodesk, where we promoted European mobility opportunities among students across the island. Together we prepared presentations and interactive games to introduce them to Erasmus+, DiscoverEU, and the European Solidarity Corps, visiting several schools in different towns. It was really rewarding to see how curious and motivated the students were when discovering all the possibilities available to them. Alongside that, we took part in several creative and educational workshops organized by Teatro Metaphora. One that I particularly enjoyed was about the connection between food and mental health, during which we cooked international dishes together and shared stories from our cultures. We also took part in a collage workshop using recycled and natural materials. At one point, we even became guides for another international group, leading them through Câmara de Lobos with an interactive game we had designed ourselves. Throughout the project, we were also involved in everyday community activities such as watering plants, cleaning shared spaces, and reusing materials from old art installations. Even these small tasks helped us feel part of the local environment and connected to the values of sustainability and teamwork that guided the project. Outside of work, we explored the island and enjoyed everything Madeira has to offer — the breathtaking views, the ocean, the people, and the peaceful atmosphere. Every moment spent there, from long walks to simple dinners together, made the experience even more special. Overall, this project gave me much more than professional experience. It helped me grow personally, become more open-minded, and understand how powerful collaboration and cultural exchange can be. I leave Madeira with new skills, new friends, and unforgettable memories

4. AGNIESZKA In October, I spent an unforgettable month in Câmara de Lobos, Madeira, volunteering with Teatro Metaphora as part of the European Solidarity Corps. Our international team consisted of eight volunteers from five different countries, each bringing unique experiences and perspectives to the project. The heart of our work was the roadshow, during which we travelled around the island visiting schools and sharing information about various European opportunities for young people. Through games and interactive activities, we spread the word about youth exchanges, DiscoverEU, and ESC volunteering. It was an amazing experience meeting so many curious and open-minded students, hearing their perspectives, and seeing how young people from different parts of Madeira think about their future and their connection with Europe. Every visit was a bit different, and the energy we received from the students was truly motivating. Apart from the roadshow, we also took part in creative and community activities organised by Teatro Metaphora, all focused on sustainability, culture, and active citizenship. I was responsible for documenting our journey, taking photos and capturing the spirit of our group and the beautiful places we visited. Living in Câmara de Lobos made everything even more special: the colourful streets, ocean views, and friendly local atmosphere made it easy to feel at home. This project showed me how much can happen when creativity, teamwork, and purpose come together and reminded me that volunteering is not only about helping others, but also about learning, connecting, and growing along the way. SAM I discovered this opportunity one day when I was in school I found a paper with a qr code for volunteering when I scanned it showed me teatro metaphora. I walked all ilhéu curious and found Lídia that welcomed me talking about projects I could do, so I signed the contract and began as a local volunteer in the European solitary corps in my city Câmara de Lobos. With this opportunity I trained my social skills and meet amazing people, with them I went to cool places I've never been before and challenged myself and my

5. insecurities. I belive I become a better person and more sociable in the end of this project . I'm happy with the results of this volunteering and I hope I'll meet this amazing people again and travel around the world something that I never thought about doing before I thank everyone and the organisation for giving me this amazing opportunity. CARLA This was my first volunteering experience, and when I saw this project in Madeira, it immediately caught my attention. On the 1st of October, I took a flight alone for the first time, feeling both nervous and excited about what was waiting for me. As soon as I arrived and met the other volunteers, I felt very welcomed and happy. During the first days, we did some activities to get to know each other better and to explore the town where we were going to live. Even though I was a bit nervous at the beginning, I quickly started to feel comfortable with the group and the new environment. Our main activity was to prepare information about European opportunities like DiscoverEU, Youth Exchanges, and the European Solidarity Corps. Later, we visited schools around the island to share this information with students. At first, I was shy about speaking in front of people, but this experience really helped me gain confidence. I also took photos and videos during the presentations, which was something I enjoyed a lot. We also took part in other creative and cultural activities, such as recycling workshops, cooking traditional dishes from our countries, and organizing games to help other groups discover the town. Every day was different, and I learned something new all the time. In our free time, we organized trips to explore the island. Madeira is an incredible place and every spot we visited amazed me with its beauty. This experience taught me so much. I learned to be more confident, to organize my time, and to live with people from different cultures. I’m really grateful for this opportunity, for discovering such a beautiful island, and for meeting amazing people.

6. JOÃO Volunteering in Madeira with Teatro Metaphora was an amazing experience. Together with other international volunteers, we visited several schools around the island to share information about Erasmus+ programs like DiscoverEU, Youth Exchanges and European Solidarity Corps. It was great to talk to students, answer their questions, and inspire them to take part in these opportunities. At Teatro Metaphora, our days started with simple but meaningful tasks like watering the plants and helping with recycling and creative reuse projects. I really enjoyed learning how small actions can make a big difference, both for the environment and for the community. In our free time, we explored the island, went on levada walks, and discovered some of Madeira’s most beautiful places. The combination of work, learning, and adventure made the whole experience unforgettable. This project taught me a lot about teamwork, creativity, and sustainability, but also about myself. I met amazing people from different countries, shared great moments, and came back home inspired and full of new ideas.