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African inspiration for sustainable Europe: Permaculture and Climate

2022-3-TR01-KA152-YOU-0001027942022Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: TR|IT|LT|BG · Grant: €14,327
Environment and climate changeAgriculture, forestry and fisheries

Objectives

Climate change stands as one of the most formidable challenges of our time, impacting ecosystems, economies, and societies across the globe. The repercussions of climate change are felt far and wide, with a particular urgency surrounding issues of food security. The gravity of the situation is underscored by scientific data, revealing alarming statistics that demand our immediate attention and collective action. As of 2020, a staggering 282 million people in Africa, constituting nearly 21% of the continent's population, grappled with the harsh reality of hunger. This distressing figure became even more pronounced with the outbreak, as an additional 46 million individuals found themselves without adequate sustenance between 2019 and 2020. These stark numbers illuminate the urgent need to address the intricate interplay between climate change and food insecurity, especially in regions that bear the brunt of these challenges, such as Africa. It is within this context of urgency and interconnected global challenges that our Erasmus+ Youth exchange project takes shape. Focused on creating a cohort of well-informed youth advocates, our project sets out to explore sustainable solutions to climate change, with a specific lens on food insecurity and permaculture. By delving into the African experience, where challenges such as infertile soil, salty water, and formidable winds intensify the impact of climate change, our project aimed to not only raise awareness but also empower the younger generation with practical skills and a global perspective. The project's objectives align with these scientific realities, seeking to educate and empower youth to address climate change and food insecurity through permaculture. The primary objective of our project is to empower and inform youth about the critical issues surrounding climate change, with a specific focus on food insecurity and permaculture. We aimed to equip young individuals with the essential skill set required to amplify their voices and actively contribute to addressing these challenges. Recognizing climate change as a fundamental issue, our project seeks to present local farming, particularly through permaculture practices, as an efficient and sustainable solution. Our emphasis on local farming, particularly permaculture, is rooted in addressing the negative consequences of widespread industrial agriculture, such as specialization, genetic erosion, and deforestation. Permaculture, based on principles of earth care, human care, and fair share, is positioned as a method to mitigate these issues. Scientifically, permaculture is shown to lower consumption, reduce water usage, and enhance biodiversity. Focused on sustainable solutions, especially permaculture, the project draws inspiration from the African experience. This inspiration is crucial, considering the unique challenges faced on the continent, including infertile soil, salty water, and formidable winds, which intensify the impact of climate change. By incorporating these challenges into the project, we aim not only to raise awareness but also to empower young individuals with practical skills and a global perspective. We aimed that european youth can be inspired by witnessing innovations in an African country and take precautions to develop their own country. In order to achieve our goal from an African experience perspective, Al Salam’s Zanzibar branch transferred their knowledge, experiences, and possible solutions with us. In line with these needs, our objectives were: Objectives: - Raise awareness among young individuals about the importance of sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate change through engaging in workshops and educational activities from the African experience perspective. - Provide young participants with hands-on experiences and a growth-oriented mindset, fostering the development of practical skills and attitudes that empower them to contribute effectively to sustainable agricultural practices and climate resilience. - Facilitate cross-border collaboration and intercultural dialogue among youth, creating a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences related to sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate issues on an international scale. - To increase the understanding of initiative, leadership, and teamwork in the youth field. - To ensure young people with low opportunities are aware of changes promoted by the European Youth.

Project partners (5)