The primary objective of GREENLINES was to empower individuals and organisations involved in youth project management to significantly increase the environmental sustainability of their activities. We aimed to achieve this by thoroughly researching the challenges, needs, and existing knowledge levels related to sustainable practices within the youth sector. Key goals included discovering and sharing effective sustainable best practices across partner countries, creating valuable networks between partners and local eco-friendly suppliers and initiatives, and learning from real-life examples during a dedicated study visit. The central aim was the creation of an attractive, comprehensive, and easily applicable Guide on sustainable project implementation, disseminated in multiple formats (document, videos, podcast) and languages to ensure maximum reach, inclusivity, and practical uptake across the European youth work field.
We applied for this project after observing a significant lack of environmental sustainability in European youth work. Even projects focused on green topics often relied on unsustainable practices. Our initial needs assessment confirmed that many project managers and youth workers felt they lacked the necessary knowledge, practical tools, or adequate funding to implement sustainable projects effectively. Furthermore, we identified a need to bridge the gap between youth project organisers and local sustainable businesses, initiatives, and suppliers, fostering beneficial networks for all partners and improving access to eco-friendly resources. Therefore, this project addressed the crucial need to equip these key multipliers with accessible, practical guidance and to foster connections that support sustainable project management, aiming to reduce the sector's environmental footprint and promote greener practices widely.