A Recap of the TC "Would You Survive? 2"

FRSP, as the partner organization, proudly selected and sent a team of 8 amazing trainees from Poland to participate in the unique training course, ‘Would You Survive? 2,’ hosted by EU go Association in Kaunas, Lithuania. This immersive experience brought together young people to explore critical urban survival skills, focusing on how to effectively manage disasters and emergencies in modern environments.

From September 28th to October 5th, 2024, the Erasmus+ funded Training Course “Would You Survive 2?” Urban Edition took place in Kaunas, Lithuania. Over the course of eight days, 30 youth workers from across Europe gathered to enhance their knowledge, attitudes, and skills in disaster management and crisis response, with a special focus on urban environments. The project was filled with dynamic activities, hands-on learning experiences, and the involvement of local experts.

The program kicked off with ice-breaking sessions like “Speed Dating” and “Lava Waterfall,” designed to help participants feel comfortable and connected. The first days introduced participants to various types of disasters—both natural and human-caused—and explored essential life-saving skills such as CPR, wound dressing, and tourniquet application, thanks to the contribution of medics from the student and physician corporation Fraternitas Lituanica. Participants also had the chance to master different knot-tying techniques, with the support of local community members from the Riflemen Union.

As the training progressed, participants delved into the practical aspects of survival, from fire-starting and shelter-building in the wilderness to learning about panic attacks, coping mechanisms, and disaster preparedness. Several DIY workshops were led by participants themselves, covering topics such as survival cooking, communication during disasters, and fire crisis management. One of the highlights was an unexpected fire drill that tested everyone’s ability to respond to an emergency in real-time.

One of the most engaging activities was the “Hunger Games,” a simulation in the forest where participants practiced survival skills, including orientation using coordinates, emergency signaling, and stretcher-building. The competitive yet educational atmosphere allowed participants to apply everything they had learned throughout the course.

The training concluded with “The Walk of Fame,” where participants received their Youthpass certificates, followed by the “Spider Web” activity—a moment to reflect on the strong bonds and connections formed throughout the project.

We also had the pleasure of inviting local members of Korp! Fraternitas Lituanica and Korp! Tautito for workshops on first aid and knot-tying, further enriching the learning experience and fostering a strong link with the local community.

This project was funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

Below take look at the feedback and a small interview from one of our participants from Poland, Mateo Quevedo, whose amazing perspective perfectly captures the spirit and impact of the project! 🙂

“Do you like facing unexpected challenges and experiencing adventures in the wild? Does your definition of a perfect weekend include camping in the middle of a forest rather than a five-star hotel? Or have you always wondered how to tie a knot and start a fire without a lighter? If your answer is “Yes!” to any of the above questions, please keep reading because that’s what I experienced during 10 days on the Training Course “Would You Survive 2?”

When I first saw this project advertised on Facebook it caught my attention immediately. Firstly, because it was located in Kaunas, Lithuania. I had the chance to step through this beautiful city for four hours in May and the idea of getting back was really appealing to me. Surrounded by two rivers, the second-biggest city in this Baltic country is the perfect balance between civilization and nature, between green areas and nightlife. Secondly, the idea behind the TC was very unusual: instead of theory and indoor conferences, it proposed a week full of physical activities in the middle of the forest. Without hesitation, I ran to apply and I can’t express how happy I am that I had the wonderful opportunity of taking part of this project.

After an initial day of green traveling for most of us, we dedicated the first night and part of the second day to breaking the ice, getting to meet each other and the always difficult task of learning a lot of new names. From the very beginning, the two trainers: Jonas and Oana transmitted good vibes, knowledge and respect to the group. After a short introduction to the Erasmus+ rules and the topics of the training, we went to rest in order to recharge our batteries for the workshops that awaited us.

Days 3 and 4 were very complete and diverse: we received a visit from several professionals in the field of medicine and survival who taught us many useful skills, such as how to do tourniquet and CPR or how to tie special knots. Besides, we learned how to assist a person that is suffering from a panic attack, and we were given space to prepare our own workshops.

Without a moment of break, day 5 started even more intensely: we went to a forest nearby, and we got the opportunity to build shelters and start a controlled fire. The good mood among most of the participants turned that cold morning into an incredible experience. The rest of that day and the following one were mostly dedicated to our own workshops: from fire crisis management to moral debates; every single group provided an interesting topic where everybody had the opportunity to speak their mind and collaborate.

On the seventh day, we began the morning with an interesting talk about shelters and where to go inside your city in case of a serious emergency. Then, we got the freedom to explore Kaunas and look for those special places prepared to host refugees and people in danger.

Finally, the most awaited adventure arrived: day 8 brought ‘Hunger Games’. Divided into 5 teams, we went again to the forest where a series of unexpected tasks were waiting for us. We needed to put in practice everything we had learned so far and do it quickly, because it was a competition. I would like to stop here to highlight the good mood and sportsmanship among all the participants. We all had fun, even the slowest ones like me.

The last day of the project included the necessary talks about dissemination plans and administrative duties that are always found in all Training Courses and, of course, a goodbye ceremony that made most of us a little bit more sensitive than usual. Last night, hugs, kisses, selfies and a long bus trip back home with the feeling of having been part of something really special. It does not matter to me how many projects I take part in or if some aspects were not perfect (we are all human, after all), I feel immensely lucky about the connections I made and the memories I carry with me from this adventure in Kaunas.”

~ Mateo Quevedo

Thank you Mateo for this amazing article, thanks to all the participants, partner organizations and to “EU go Association” for hosting the training course.

This project was funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.