The 7th EAP aims for sustainable living by 2050 through a circular economy, minimizing waste and managing resources wisely. It emphasizes biodiversity conservation and resilience. This vision includes a low-carbon growth model for a sustainable global society. Cities tackle challenges like air quality, noise, emissions, water scarcity, and waste through collaborative innovation. By 2025, the EAP seeks EU cities to adopt sustainable urban planning. Our project reconnected youth with nature, educated on food origins, promoted farm-to-fork practices, cultivated citizenship and community through urban gardening, reduced food waste, offered hands-on experiences, transformed public spaces into green areas, and developed digital tools for sustainable agriculture.
The rise in urban populations has distanced young people from nature, agriculture, and farming, evident in our project's countries. Young individuals typically buy food from supermarkets, lacking the space and knowledge to grow their own crops, fostering the misconception that food comes from store shelves. Promoting the farm-to-fork concept is crucial. Our project aimed to empower youth to use small spaces in homes, balconies, classrooms, public gardens, and rooftops for growing plants. Urban lifestyles, lacking green spaces, further alienate young people from nature, worsened by COVID-19. This disconnection causes physical and mental health issues, recoverable through re-engagement with nature. Young people often lack environmental awareness and eco-friendly practices. Reconnecting with nature is essential for sustainability. Cities fail to provide adequate green spaces, and existing ones are underutilized. Engaging youth in urban green spaces enhances their quality of life and fosters social bonds. Our project, backed by research, highlighted the need to educate youth on food production and environmental stewardship.