Opportunity for Latvian Youth to Explore Europe

The International Youth Programs Agency (JSPA) has announced the results of the second round of the "DiscoverEU" initiative under the European Union's "Erasmus+" program for the year 2024. In this round, a total of 135,693 applications were received from across Europe, and 36,000 young people were awarded free train travel cards. From Latvia, 1,111 applications were submitted, and 154 young individuals seized the opportunity to obtain free travel cards, allowing them to embark on unforgettable journeys across Europe. These selected participants can travel between March 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, for a duration of 1 to 30 days.

"DiscoverEU" aims to strengthen the sense of belonging to the European Union among young people, allowing them to learn more about Europe's diversity, cultural heritage, and history, as well as to meet people from various countries. The travel cards are distributed based on the correct answers provided in the application form and the ratio of each member state's population to the total EU population. Since its inception in 2018, over 1.5 million young people have applied for more than 355,000 travel cards, with 9,680 applicants from Latvia, over 1,000 of whom have successfully received this unique opportunity.

Selected participants will need to activate their travel cards through the "DiscoverEU Travel App." If an application is not approved within a specified timeframe, the opportunity will be passed on to candidates on the reserve list. Additionally, the selected youth can obtain a European Youth Card (EYCA) through the app, which provides over 40,000 discounts on transportation, accommodation, food, cultural events, and more for one year.

Information events are also planned for the young travelers who have received their tickets. JSPA and national agencies of the Erasmus+ program will conduct these events, providing essential information about the initiative and travel, as well as an opportunity to connect with other travelers from their respective countries. In-person training for Latvian youth who have received travel cards will take place from January 31 to February 2 and June 17 to 19, 2025, with the exact location to be confirmed. Online training sessions will be held on February 8 and June 25, 2025.

Participants will receive direct information regarding the application process for training. It is important to note that the number of participants in the face-to-face sessions will be limited. Young people must select and apply for the event that suits them best by March 15, 2025, and must also activate their travel card in the "DiscoverEU Travel App" while following the instructions in emails from JSPA and the European Commission.

The next application period for "DiscoverEU" will begin in spring 2025. Young people who wish to explore Europe and experience unforgettable journeys are encouraged to stay updated on the process.

For more detailed information, please visit the official website:

https://erasmusplus.lv/jaunums/zinami-discovereu-rezultati-bezmaksas-eiropas-apcelosanas-kartes-ieguvusi-154-jauniesi-no-latvijas