Our history. A shared story.
We were founded in Purchena (Almería, Spain) in 1993. Our story began with young people taking part in the cultural life of our town and with efforts to revive and promote the Moorish Games of Aben Humeya. Our heritage and commitment to our community remain central to who we are.
Over time, we embraced non-formal education, youth mobility, inclusion, equality, sustainability, creativity and European citizenship. We were already participating in European programmes in 2003. Since then, we have brought different realities closer through encounters, the arts and shared learning.
We believe that living in a rural town should never mean having fewer opportunities. For more than three decades, we have connected projects, organisations and people so that young people can learn, travel, express themselves and shape their own future while remaining rooted in their community.
Our mission and vision
Our mission
We foster young people’s participation, independence, and personal and social development, particularly in rural areas. We create educational, cultural and European opportunities through non-formal learning, mobility, cooperation, inclusion and care for our local environment.
We start from the real needs of our community and turn them into opportunities for learning and action.
Our vision
We aspire to vibrant, inclusive rural communities that are open to the world, where young people can shape their futures, develop their abilities and lead the changes that affect their lives.
We envision young people who value their roots and actively participate in Europe, sharing ideas, cultures and responsibilities.
Eight goals. One shared commitment.
Meaningful participation
We listen to and support initiatives that give young people a voice in decisions affecting their communities.
European opportunities
We bring Erasmus+, youth mobilities and exchanges closer to young people in rural areas.
Learning by doing
We use non-formal education, cooperation and intercultural experiences.
Living culture
We preserve and reinterpret heritage through literature, music, creative expression and the arts.
Local sustainability
We encourage actions and habits that connect environmental care with our territory.
Equality and inclusion
We foster accessible spaces, dialogue and participation for young people with fewer opportunities.
Independence and skills
We help develop personal, social and professional skills for the future.
Cooperation networks
We build partnerships with youth organisations, educational centres and institutions across Europe.
Our journey
Each stage has helped us explore new ways to learn, create and cooperate. Expand the milestones to discover how our association has evolved.
1993Our beginnings, rooted in heritage
Youth participation and the Moorish Games of Aben Humeya shape our roots in Purchena.
2003–2004Our European journey begins
We start taking part in European programmes and connecting young people with new realities.
2009–2013Stories across borders
We continue creating spaces for cultural exchange, dialogue and shared learning.
2016–2020Creativity finds its voice
The arts, culture and young people’s expression become key tools for participation.
2023–2024Rural youth and the green transition
We connect environmental responsibility with learning opportunities for rural young people.
2024–2025A new Erasmus+ chapter
We strengthen mobility and cooperation opportunities through Erasmus+ Youth.
2024–2027Cooperation that creates change
We develop new partnerships and European youth cooperation initiatives.
2026Still building connections
We continue connecting Purchena with people, organisations and opportunities.
What we do
We turn our values into projects and activities that respond to young people’s interests and the needs of our communities.
Youth participation and active citizenship
We create spaces to propose ideas, make decisions, collaborate and develop youth-led projects.
Explore our projects ↗Europe, mobility and cooperation
We connect Purchena with exchanges, intercultural learning, European partnerships and Erasmus+.
Explore our projects ↗Culture, creativity and heritage
We use the Moorish Games, literature, street art, comics, music and theatre to learn and create.
Explore our projects ↗Sustainability and territory
We connect European environmental challenges with practical actions in rural communities.
Explore our projects ↗Inclusion, equality and coexistence
We promote diversity, intercultural dialogue and the participation of those facing greater barriers.
Explore our projects ↗Skills and employability
We learn to communicate, collaborate, organise initiatives, solve problems and develop independence.
Explore our projects ↗Youth information and critical thinking
We share participation and mobility opportunities and encourage critical engagement with information.
Explore our projects ↗Healthy living, sport and educational leisure
We make movement, sport, connection and leisure opportunities for learning and wellbeing.
Explore our projects ↗