The project „Sustainability Youth Exchanges“ intends to increase the number and the quality of youth exchanges under the umbrella of YES to Sustainability, a series of youth exchanges in ecovillages and other sustainability projects, offering the participants a rich learning opportunity about all four dimensions of sustainability (ecological, social, economical and cultural), promoting active citizenship as well as values like tolerance, inclusion of diversity and respect. An ecovillage is an intentional or traditional community that is consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes to regenerate social and natural environments. The 4 dimensions of sustainability (ecology, economy, the social and the cultural) are integrated into a holistic approach. Ecovillages are models of sustainable settlements that serve as training & learning centres where people learn through workshops plus, most importantly, the immersion experience of sharing ecovillage life, which adds a unique feature. The objectives of the project are to - increase the number of sustainability related youth exchanges in ecovillages as inspiring learning environments for youth - enhance quality of partners youth exchanges - foster international collaboration between partners The follow-up projects - promote sustainable lifestyles among young people, counteracting climate change and fostering the transition to a low-carbon and resilient society - inspire youth to become active citizens - contribute to young people‘s personal development There is a strong interest among young people in sustainability issues in general and to visit ecovillages and learn about their sustainable way of life. The young generation is becoming ever more interested in sustainability issues and also more concerned, most visible these days in the Fridays for future movement. Young people are also often more open to change than older generations. While increasing the pressure on governments to take action is important to achieve large scale changes, we believe it needs to be complemented with bottom-up initiatives from civil society working towards an enhanced awareness of and willingness to make climate friendly lifestyle choices on the individual and family level. Studies on several ecovillages have shown that their ecological footprint is considerably lower than the national average in their countries. Other ecovillages reach similar values. The ecovillage model demonstrates how a low-carbon lifestyle is possible, while maintaining a high quality of life through social innovation. Ecovillages create inclusive and participatory structures based on values like respect for diversity, regeneration and sustainability, community-led development, social justice, equality and equity, integrity and transparency. The ecovillage approach combines care for the planet with the establishment of socially, ecologically and economically healthy working structures and communities. Central themes are social, ecological, economical and intercultural competences, participatory structures towards cooperative thinking approaches, co-creation attitudes and how to acquire a network approach of thinking and doing in the creation of projects. Ecovillages promote active citizenship, entrepreneurial thinking and creativity, a solution-oriented attitude. Ecovillages demonstrate how every single person can have an impact and make a positive contribution. We believe these values and attitudes are important for young people to be equipped for the challenges of our societies at large. More than ever, young people need to be exposed to these approaches and supported in their development to becoming engaged and active citizens with integrity, critical thinking and values that connect rather than divide. YES to Sustainability (YTS) In 2016, an international group formed around the idea of creating a series of youth exchanges in ecovillages. Three were implemented in 2017 and numbers grew every year since. Ca. 350 young people have participated so far. Some are so inspired, they want to stay involved, become group leaders and/or organisers. In a snow ball effect, more organisations joined, from more and more countries. See https://yestosustainability.wordpress.com/. Previous similar youth worker mobilities were very successful - 5 and 8 youth exchange applications submitted, respectively. We wish to keep up the momentum of the snowball effect through involving the most motivated and capable participants of those youth exchanges to become group leaders and organisers of future youth exchanges themselves, thereby multiplying the number of projects created and youth to be reached.