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Eco-Together

2021-1-CY02-KA152-YOU-0000077492021Mobility of young peoplefinalizedGood practice
Countries: CY|ES|HR|RS|UA|IT|AT|LT · Grant: €36,914.7
Prevention of conflicts, post-conflict rehabilitationEnvironment and climate changeEuropean identity, citizenship and values

Objectives

By implementing this project we wanted to address the issue of borders as dividing lines that have arisen and are each time more present in the midst of a refugee and humanitarian crisis, global pandemic and national conflicts. More specifically, this YE aimed at creating a common space to reflect on visible and invisible borders between communities which divide societies mentally and/or geographically in Europe. We wanted to address the phenomena of indifference in encountering the Other and of radicalization, which often are the result of dividing lines, through intercommunal work. Our goal was to bring youth together from various backgrounds and facilitate cooperation through intergroup contact by creating experiences on a non-related topic that does not recognize borders, namely, environmental sustainability. The project also aimed to encourage participants to let their imaginary borders aside and integrate within the idea of a pan-European identity, while preserving and embracing each other's culture. Through non-formal education (NFE) we sought to focus on the 4R's reduce, reuse, recycle and recover and to urge the participants to work together and gain knowledge on the effects of leading a non-sustainable lifestyle. We wanted participants to share how they deal with sustainability in their home countries through the added benefit of being part of an intercultural environment. Intercultural dialogue and communication were also focus points of the project and were to be approached through the exploration of both the topics of sustainability and of multicommunal societies and division. The specific objectives of the project were the following: To spot the differences and the similarities between the cultures of the participant countries and enhance in this way the creation of a common European identity to reduce their fears towards each other consequently. Empower young people to become active change makers in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable Europe. Provide young people with the knowledge and information to understand the challenges of reaching a sustainable Europe. Raise the need of awareness, that only through transcultural cooperation we could provide a solution to the global crisis of climate change. To explore and develop NFE methods and techniques. Not only for the participants to experience new activities, but to also get the chance and space to coordinate their own NFE workshops. The objectives of the project were aligned with several of the UN SDG goals such as; SDG5, SDG10, SDG11, SDG12 and SDG13, the Youth Goals #3, #8, #9, #10 and #11 as well as the new Erasmus+ priorities for a greener and more inclusive EU. We believe that the project also contributed to the achievement of the targets for YE’s set by the Erasmus+ guidelines such as fostering intercultural dialogue, developing skills and attitudes of the 2021-2030 Europe, breaking down prejudices and stereotypes as well as raising awareness about socially relevant topics and thus stimulated engagement in society and active participation.

Project partners (8)