Bem Foundation Curacao

15/04/2026

✨ What happens when 24 young people from 4 countries come together in Curaçao?
You get connection, culture, friends, new experience… and memories that stay with you forever.
From 27 January to 4 February 2026, participants from Sweden, Italy, Georgia and Curaçao gathered in Willemstad for the Diversity Guardians youth exchange 🇸🇪🇮🇹🇬🇪🇨🇼
Together we explored culture beyond the surface, shared stories, cooked meals from around the world, discovered the island through a local treasure hunt and this beautiful video, created by participant from Sweden, shows the spirit of those unforgettable moments - giving you an idea of what international mobility is all about.
💡 Ready to step out of your comfort zone, meet the world, and grow?
Let this be your inspiration.
Diversity Guardians was made possible thanks to the Erasmus+ programme, the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society and our amazing partners: ALMEN, BEM Curaçao Foundation, InoChange and Atelier Europeo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9660mWE2LAw

Short film - Erasmus+ Diversity Guardians youth exchange

09/04/2026

🌍 Eight days. Four countries. One unforgettable experience.

From 27 January to 4 February 2026, 24 young people from Sweden, Italy, Georgia and Curaçao came together right here in Willemstad for the Diversity Guardians youth exchange, an Erasmus+ project that brought cultures, conversations and a whole lot of food to our island. 🌺

We explored the invisible layers of culture through workshops like the Cultural Iceberg, we walked through Willemstad on a treasure hunt created by our own local participants, we cooked together, laughed together and honestly stayed up way too late because the conversations were just too good to stop.

"I discovered that cultural diversity is a strength, not a weakness. It is what makes our societies more interesting and together, these differences help us create better ideas and solutions." - Participant from Curaçao
"I've gained a lot of communication skills and I feel like this is really a turning point in my life." - Participant from Sweden
Together, we created something that lives beyond the project days: the Cultural Recipe Book - BAKE IT HAPPEN 🍽️ a co-created collection of recipes, stories and cultural traditions from all four countries. Written by participants, for the world. You can find it on our page!

Diversity Guardians was made possible with the support of the Erasmus+ programme, Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society, together with our incredible partners: ALMEN (Sweden), BEM Curacao Foundatin (Curacao), InoChange (Georgia) and Atelier Europeo (Italy).

09/04/2026

✨ Through Ana’s Eyes: An Erasmus+ Journey

What does it really feel like to join an Erasmus+ project with BEM Foundation?
Ana from Georgia shares her story and it’s all about stepping out of your comfort zone, discovering new cultures, meeting inspiring people and growing in ways you didn’t expect.

From new friendships to new perspectives, this experience is more than just travel, it’s about expanding your mindset and seeing the world differently.

Swipe through the posters to follow Ana’s journey and maybe imagine your own 👀

The project "Diversity Guardians" was funded by the European Union (Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society).

04/04/2026

✨Participants’ Testimonials from Diversity Guardians ✨

What does learning really look like?
Sometimes, it’s not a classroom. Sometimes, it’s a conversation, a shared meal, or a moment that stays with you long after the project ends.
Through these testimonials, participants of the Diversity Guardians Erasmus+ youth exchange share their most meaningful learning moments from discovering new cultures to reconnecting with their own identities through food, dialogue and shared experiences.

💬 These stories show the real impact of Erasmus+:
✔ personal growth
✔ intercultural understanding
✔ meaningful connections
✔ inspiration for future opportunities

👉 Because learning happens everywhere, when we listen, share and experience together.
The project was funded by the European Union (Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society).

04/04/2026

✨ Bake it Happen - A Taste of "Diversity Guardians!"✨
Our Erasmus+ youth exchange brought together young people from Curaçao, Georgia, Sweden and Italy to cook up more than just food. During “Diversity Guardians,” participants explored cultural diversity and mutual respect through recipes, stories and Master Chef‑style cooking sessions.

The result? Bake it Happen, a collection of traditional dishes and unique recipes created by mixed‑nationality teams. Every recipe tells a story of teamwork, creativity and intercultural learning, celebrating similarities and embracing differences one bite at a time.

Want to savour these stories yourself? The full cookbook is free to download here:
🔗 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HnbncBkwAaPta9rTTER5n2x-hqMEjJLN/view?usp=sharing

Let’s celebrate diversity, challenge stereotypes and connect through food, because good things happen when we Bake it Happen! 🥖🌍🍲

The project “Diversity Guardians” (Project No. 2024-3-SE02-KA152-YOU-000289108) was funded by the European Union (Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society).

21/03/2026

🌍 YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! ✨
Imagine this: travelling to Europe, making friends from across the world, learning new skills and it's all FREE.
That's exactly what Erasmus+ Youth Exchange offers - and weare here to tell you ALL about it!
SATURDAY, 28 MARCH we are hosting a FREE online info meeting where you will discover:
✔How to travel abroad through Erasmus+
✔How to connect with youth from different countries
✔How to develop real leadership & life skills
✔What workshops, activities & experiences await you
📅 Saturday, 28 March 🕓 16:00 PM 💻 Online - join from anywhere!
This opportunity is for YOU. No experience needed - just the desire to grow, explore and connect. 💙
👉 Scan the QR code in the poster to register NOW or use link below:
👉 https://forms.gle/wTeTPFhmPZXYGdk39
Tag a friend who needs to see this 👇🏽 Because the best adventures are better together

18/03/2026

🌳🇫🇮 AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED! ✨

Can you imagine waking up surrounded by Finnish nature, canoeing through forests, sitting around a campfire with young people from across the Europe and doing it all as YOUR personal growth journey?
That's exactly what this is. 👇

BEM Curaçao offers you a FREE participation in "Growing Together Through Outdoor Experiences" - an Erasmus+ youth exchange between Curaçao 🇨🇼 · Finland 🇫🇮 · Portugal 🇵🇹

📍 Virrat & Tampere, Finland 📅 May 24–30, 2026 🎯 Ages 20-29 only!

What's waiting for you:
🌲 Nature & outdoor adventures
🧠 Personal growth & stepping out of your comfort zone
🤝 Real connections with international youth
🌍 Cultural exchange that actually changes you!

⚠️IMPORTANT: Join Stage 1 in Finland 🇫🇮 and you will also take part in stage 2 in Curaçao 🇨🇼 (Nov 2026) - where YOU help host the group!

⏰ Apply ASAP (Final deadline: 20 March 2026)
👉 Apply here: https://forms.gle/Dz6g5WU2LveQpprQA

📩 Questions? DM us!
Tag someone who needs this experience 💪🏽

28/02/2026

💬 “Before this project I thought resilience meant handling everything alone. Now I know it means growing together”

That was one of the thoughts shared at the end of Resilient Future, an Erasmmus+ youth exchange that brought together young people from Curacao, Turkiye, Austria and Greece in Lagun, Curacao on 12-19 November 2025 to explore how we can stay strong and positive in a fast-changing world. For many of us, it was not just a project - it was a space where we could talk honestly about challenges, learn new skills and feel understood.

During the exchange, we took part in interactive workshops, group discussions, team challenges and outdoor activities that helped us understand resilience in real life. We talked about stress, mental wellbeing, communication openly and how to support each other when things get difficult. Step by step, strangers became friends and the group turned into a small international family.

💬 “I realized that resilience is not about being perfect - it is about learning from difficult moments”
💬 “I came here barely knowing anyone, and I am leaving with people I can call friends in different countries”

One of the most special moments during the project was learning basic sign language and then actually being able to communicate on sign language. For many of us, it was the first time discovering how communication can go beyond spoken words and it helped us understand the importance of inclusion and showed us how even small efforts can make communication more accessible and welcoming for everyone.

Resilient Future youth exchange brought together young people from very different backgrounds to learn from each other, share experiences and discover practical ways to build a stronger and more resilient future. By the end of the project, we didn’t just leave with new knowledge - we left with new motivation, memories and friends that will stay forever with us.

Projects like this are possible thanks to the Erasmus+ Programme, which gives youth the chance to travel, learn and meet others from around the world. For many of us, this opportunity felt truly special - not only because we learned new skills, but because we experienced how powerful international connections and youth exchange can be 🌍✨

💙

27/02/2026

From late-night talks and culture nights to facing fears, learning resilience and finding family far from home 💛

These moments are what Resilient Future was all about.
Youth Exchange “Resilient Future” was hosted by BEM Foundation Curaçao 🇨🇼
with the financial support of the Dutch National Agency of the Erasmus+ Programme 🇪🇺
Swipe through their words - This is what youth exchange really feels like. 🌍💬

💙

27/02/2026

📝 Meet the Resilient Planner💛
Created by young people, for young people during the Resilient Future youth exchange 🌍
This planner is not about being perfect – it is about checking in with yourself, setting gentle goals and taking care of your mental wellbeing, one small step at a time.
Reflection, boundaries, dreams, daily balance - all in one safe space ✨
Download the full version for free via the link in bio 👉 bit.ly/3MpeN8D
Developed within Resilient Future,
hosted by BEM Curaçao Foundation 🇨🇼
with the financial support of the Dutch National Agency of the Erasmus+ Programme 🇪🇺
💙