In Europe, we currently use 16 tonnes of materials per person per year, of which 6 tonnes become waste. Just in terms of household waste alone, each person in Europe is currently producing, on average, half a tonne of such waste. Only 40 % of it is reused or recycled and in some countries, more than 80% still goes to landfill (source: Environmental Data Centre on Waste, Eurostat). Minimizing waste, not generating waste and turning waste into one key to a circular economy. In Greece, the recycling rate is around 17% while in the EU it is 39%. Most of our waste ends up in landfills. For these reasons, along with the general environment around the waste as well as our experience with previous projects, we decided to work with zero waste. We wanted to develop a YE to exchange ideas about how to become zero waste, minimize waste in practice, exchange solutions in everyday practices and learn how we can become zero waste for ourselves and inspire our communities, cities and the people around us. "Zero waste challenge" aimed to address sustainability through the following objectives: - Raise awareness about zero waste (what it is based on the 5rs of zero waste philosophy) and circular economy - Support a zero waste lifestyle and exchange ideas of how to minimize waste, how to reduce, reuse, recycle, rot and refuse the 5rs of zero waste - Support the participants to take action and become zero wasters - To live in a sustainable community and try to minimize waste in practice for 10 days - To bring together 37 young people, while making sure that 80% of the group is with fewer opportunities (economic, social, cultural and other obstacles) - For the 37 participants to develop new skills and competences through non-formal learning and informal: creative workshops, workshops, open discussions and visits - For the 37 participants to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes to be the change agents in our everyday life and in our communities - For the 7 groups to create a mini workshop, role-playing or any creative presentation of one of the 5 Rs - For the 7 partner organizations to exchange know-how in sustainable & zero waste lifestyles - To create 8 videos to disseminate the results of the project - Τo promote the results of YE to the stakeholders and the local community. After the exchange, the participants promoted the videos they made for zero waste tips and tricks to their family, friends and the wider community. There has been a starting point for conversations about zero waste and motivating people towards sustainability. This project met the following objectives of the Key Action, Learning Mobility of Individuals, Youth Mobility of the Erasmus+ program and Greek priorities: - to support learners, including those with fewer opportunities, in the acquisition of competences (knowledge, skills and attitudes) with a view to zero waste in practice and promoting zero waste in their communities - to promote active participation and increase awareness of zero waste in practice through outdoor activities in the area - inform and raise awareness of young people about the environment and climate change and the challenges that arise as a result. - support capacity building between partners with the aim of ensuring sustainability and enhancing resilience to climate change. - to enhance self-empowerment of the participants and insert the idea of long-term vision and sustainability as seen by the EU and the 2030 vision about sustainable development and sustainable development goals. It contributes for example SDG 11 for sustainable cities and communities, SDG12 for sustainable consumption and production, SDG 13 combating climate change and other goals related to the environment and sustainable development. - to raise awareness in Erasmus+ among the participants and the local community and enhance the use of YouthPass as a tool of reflection and learning deliverable. - to support the local community around Hopeland, Sterna and disseminate the results of the program in the local community We wanted to make this project not only for the participants, and the partners but the local communities around us and as a contribution to society as a whole. And we succeeded as we strengthen our collaboration between the partners, we have supported youth and spread the knowledge around for zero waste.