We set two goals in the project: (1) To contribute to the sustainable behaviour of organizations and individuals in Erasmus + projects. We are still witnessing mountains of unnecessary paper and post-it notes used at exchanges and trainings, which can otherwise be recycled, that is why they are used excessively. Balloons are still used, whose useful value (measured in minutes) is significantly less than the degradability value. Plastic cups and non-degradable packaging are still used. In addition to the workshop material, the organizations also did not raise awareness of other elements that contribute to (un)sustainability, such as building insulation, use of electricity, excessive use of cooling devices, etc. If we want to teach young people new habits, organizations and employees must also be aware of their own habits. (2) To explain that habits for which there is currently no technological solution need to be adjusted and/or the so-called compensation/refund/offset must be arranged. We are aware that there is currently no political or technological solution to certain problems. Participants from the far edge of Europe (Portugal, Iceland, Scandinavia, Cyprus, and others) cannot afford a green trip, and their journeys are long.
We have been carrying out activities within the framework of the Erasmus + program for years and are happy about the learning opportunities that the program offers. Young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, can travel for free throughout Europe and around the world. However, we are aware that these activities are not sustainable. Despite the possibility of green travel, the partners still most often arrive at the project by plane, and according to our analysis in the project, we also contribute to the unsustainable effect with (1) accommodation, (2) the way of working (because we use a lot of paper, balloons and other disposable materials), (3) lifestyle (plastic bags for packaging, cosmetics, drinking drinks from plastic bottles) and food consumption (where food is often thrown away in large quantities). The young, as well as the elderly, have indulged in a carefree life of abundance and do not think about where all our waste goes. The projects thus promote a large carbon footprint. In the future, we want to develop our own feeling for responsibility towards nature and make our partners (organizations and their youth) aware that they should do it themselves.