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Sustainability in Action

2020-2-DE04-KA105-0200602020Youth mobilityfinalized
Countries: DE|RO|SI|IT|ES · Grant: €82,308
Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy)Environment and climate changeSocial entrepreneurship / social innovation

Objectives

Our Sustainablity in action project was a response to the global need for more sustainable lifestyles. Across the world we are currently seeing large scale environmental disasters, rising costs of living, reduced job security and massive changes in the political and social landscapes. Many young people want to make a positive change in their lives and the lives of those around them by living more sustainably. However, many also feel overwhelmed and afraid to take action themselves or are unsure what sustainable living can look like or how we can implement it in our own lives, in our communities and in our role as EU citizens. Sustainablity in action, as a comprehensive project with four activities, built on this and aimed to promote a Sustainable Green Europe, and mental health and well-being, as well as quality learning, information building and constructive dialogue, in line with the Youth Strategy 2019-2027. Our aim was to promote knowledge building and innovative and critical thinking among young people, and to provide a foundation for valuable skills and entrepreneurial thinking. We wanted our project to offer young people the chance to experience sustainability in action, gaining experience and confidence to bring sustainable thinking and lifestyles into their lives, their home communities and society in general. There were two mobilities for youth workers and two youth exchanges. In total, five partners (from Spain, Italy, Germany, Slovenia and Romania) worked together on this project with the three main objectives of reflecting on sustainability and what it means in the fields of ecology, education, economy and social structures; empowering young people to integrate sustainable living practices into their daily lives; and strengthening youth workers' competences and equipping them with new methods for sustainable work on sustainability. The focus of the project was to empower young people through nature education as well as nature and art projects and hands-on experience, and to combine the promotion of personal development, team building and entrepreneurship to find, demonstrate and establish sustainable and regenerative ways of living, living and working on earth. We focused on a broad view of sustainability, with a different focus for each mobility. From helping participants identify their personal needs and energy resources through mental and physical health (personal sustainability), to carbon footprint, permaculture and eco-friendly living (environmental sustainability), to thinking about community life and building sustainable relationships (social sustainability) - our project focused on education and empowerment through action. Participants were expected to learn and discuss sustainability in the workshops while being actively involved in sustainable building, gardening and outdoor activities. This should allow participants to make direct connections between their personal experiences and broader concepts of sustainability. By working in international groups with different backgrounds (many with fewer opportunities), participants should be sensitised to other cultures and opinions and lay the foundation for new international friendships and networks. In order to provide our participants with a variety of experiences, each activity was to be hosted by a different partner organisation. The aims of our project were in detail: - Educate young people to a holistic understanding of sustainability (personal, social, ecological, economic, educational). - To encourage young people to engage critically and constructively with concepts of sustainability and their impact on the world. - Giving young people the opportunity to experience, design and develop sustainable projects through practical activities - Helping young people to self-reflect and develop long-term sustainable character and self-confidence - Encourage an entrepreneurial mindset in young people through a focus on self-organisation, taking initiative and working creatively and innovatively

Project partners (5)