Ever wondered how a simple idea about connecting people could turn into something bigger? Here’s the story of ConnectiON Vibes, an EU-funded project that started with a deck of cards and grew into a movement to help young people really talk to each other. It’s not about fancy solutions or complicated tech – it’s about bringing back real conversations in a world where everyone’s staring at their phones.
Setting the Scene
Look around any café, bus, or school today. Young people are more connected than ever through their phones, yet many feel deeply alone. And it’s not just those who move to a new country – it’s also teens who live in communities that don’t speak their language, students starting college in a new city, or kids switching schools.
Trust doesn’t come easy these days. Young people find it hard to open up and be vulnerable with their peers, which stops them from making real connections. With depression rates rising among youth, the way they connect (or don’t) is a big part of the problem.
That’s exactly why we started ConnectiON Vibes – because whether you’re a Ukrainian teen in a new country or a Hungarian speaker in a Romanian city, everyone deserves to feel truly connected.
How it All Started
It all began with Adrian Miu’s simple observation – when people play together, something magical happens. Games have this way of making us forget our differences and just be present with each other. Working with youth from all backgrounds, Adrian noticed how a simple card game could get people talking and laughing together, even when they didn’t share the same language.
What started as an idea for a card game soon grew into something bigger. Together with partners from Italy and Cyprus, we saw the potential to create not just one tool, but a whole set of resources to help young people connect.
The Team
Three organizations came together to make this happen. From Romania, there’s Schimbare cu Sens, who came up with the original idea. They teamed up with Youmore from Italy and The Serendipitous Black Cloud from Cyprus. Each partner brings something special – some are great with young people, others know how to make fun games, and some understand how to help people open up.
What makes us work well together? We all believe in one simple thing: everyone deserves to feel like they belong, no matter where they’re from or what language they speak.
What We’re Really Doing
We’re focusing on young people aged 16-22, especially those who might feel left out – like teens who just moved from Ukraine, young people with disabilities, or anyone who finds it hard to fit in. We see problems like language barriers, cultural differences, and just the general awkwardness of meeting new people.
That’s why we’re using games – they’re a fun, pressure-free way to start talking and understanding each other. No forced conversations, no awkward silences – just natural ways to connect.
Our Tools
We’re creating three main things that work together:
- A card game that gets conversations flowing naturally
- A book full of different games you can play in groups
- A guide for youth workers and teachers called “Soulful Conversations”
The best part? Everything we make is tested with real young people to make sure it actually works and feels natural to use.
What’s Next
We’re starting in our three countries – Romania, Italy, and Cyprus – but we hope these tools will spread across Europe. We want to see young people from different backgrounds becoming friends, understanding each other better, and feeling less alone.
Want to be part of this? Whether you’re a young person, a youth worker, or someone who just thinks this sounds cool – we’d love to have you join us. Follow our journey, try out our tools, or share your own connection stories.
ConnectiON Vibes is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme.