This youth exchange was motivated by the curiosity of the participants from one of the youth exchanges hosted at Catfarm in 2020. They were deeply fascinated by the solar panels that powered the community, and how they sustained themselves entirely from the Sun's energy. The participants were also intrigued by the organization and management of the community, as well as the human relations practices that helped them resolve conflicts and communicate effectively. As a result, we came together to brainstorm ways to create a youth exchange that would increase awareness about climate change, educate them on our renewable energy system, and share practices that would inspire future generations to live a sustainable lifestyle and cultivate a "Do It Yourself" mentality. Our ultimate goal was to encourage the youth to shift from an individualistic to a collective mindset, while fostering a deeper sense of care and responsibility towards their homes, communities, and the planet. Community living has been humanity's way of life for centuries, evolving from living in tribes to villages and then cities. The family unit has also changed, moving from a whole village to a smaller unit of mother, father, and children. The industrial revolution, feminist movement, modernization, and technological advancements have contributed to this change. Today's youth, however, are less familiar with life skills and more consumed with their city lives and technological gadgets, neglecting their ecological footprint. Studies show that millennials lack basic skills like sewing, making repairs, and cooking, which may help them discover hidden talents and support them in their lives. Despite our environment and planet changing greatly due to our lifestyle changes, our basic needs and composition as human beings have remained the same for the past 40,000 years. At the Catfarm, we are engaged in the creation of a whole new kind of culture, one that comes as a direct response to the disconnection and prejudices of modern society. One that brings all peoples of the world together with the goal of reconnection, both to the natural world that we have treated with disregard and contempt and to each other. This multicultural, ecologically minded generation niche is represented globally by a multitude of communities old and new. Many of which thrive specifically because they have formed new rituals out of old concepts. What we require now, are our very own rituals that bind together our connection to the seasons, our values, and most importantly our hearts and minds, and this is also what we wanted to inspire with the Eco Life Youth Exchange. We introduced the participants to alternative ways of living their lives while being inspired by the space where the project took place, the Catfarm Community. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about community values of sustainability and cooperation. Mixed with the “Cats”, the international volunteers, a safe and harmonious environment was created, leaving room for learning and creativity within an emphatic and supportive group. The project had the following specific objectives: Raise awareness about climate change and renewable energy and foster critical thinking around the topic of the exchange Develop hands-on skills in the basics of house maintenance like electricity, plumbing and fixing materials Learn about what are the most eco-friendly options when purchasing household appliances and how they can use renewable energy in their homes Learn tools used in community living for communication, connection, tension solving, group dynamics and boundaries. Immersion in an experimental way of life within an eco-place that offers creative solutions to current challenges Share cultures, exchange international perspectives about the topic, develop intercultural competence, understanding of different cultures and appreciation of diversity Improve social and civic competence of participating youth Foster communication of youth and stakeholders Develop the sense of initiative and entrepreneurship and increase the social and civic engagement of young people as eco-responsible citizens of Europe while becoming more active in their communities Raise awareness on the practices of policies and systems in matters of non-formal education of youth in the European Union