The EcoVanguards youth exchange was created with the ambition to bring young people closer to nature and to help them realise their potential as active contributors to a greener and more sustainable future. The project emerged from the observation that many young people, especially in urban and semi-urban environments, feel disconnected from nature and powerless in the face of environmental challenges. Our goal was to provide them with knowledge, tools and inspiration to become changemakers in their communities and to act as “EcoVanguards” — ambassadors of sustainability, awareness and positive environmental action. The main objectives of the project were to raise environmental awareness among young people through experiential and non-formal learning methods; to encourage the exchange of ideas and good practices between youth from different cultural and social backgrounds; and to promote the values of cooperation, solidarity and active citizenship. At the same time, the project aimed to strengthen key competences such as critical thinking, creativity, leadership and teamwork, while connecting personal development with ecological responsibility. The youth exchange took place in Neraida, at the Municipality of Lake Plastira in Greece, gathering young people from Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and France. The location, surrounded by forests, mountains and the lake, offered the ideal environment for participants to experience sustainability in practice and to reconnect with the natural world. The setting was not just a background, but a central element of the learning process — participants learned by doing, feeling and reflecting directly in nature. Through a rich programme of workshops, outdoor activities and intercultural experiences, the participants explored themes such as the climate crisis, sustainable consumption, environmental ethics and rural entrepreneurship. They designed eco-friendly products, participated in creative upcycling workshops, joined sustainability simulations, engaged in debates on current environmental issues and took part in reflective nature walks that encouraged mindfulness and sensory awareness. Visits to the Botanical Garden of Lake Plastira and the Open-Air Museum of Contemporary Art enriched the learning experience, showing how environmental protection can coexist with creativity, innovation and local development. The project directly addressed the European Youth Goals, especially Sustainable Green Europe and Moving Rural Youth Forward, by promoting awareness about environmental challenges while empowering rural and small-town youth to take the lead in community-based initiatives. It also contributed to the horizontal priorities of Erasmus+ by fostering inclusion (ensuring diverse participation and accessibility), promoting sustainability (through eco-friendly practices, zero waste principles and outdoor learning), and encouraging participation (through youth-led sessions and open space activities). By the end of the project, participants not only deepened their understanding of sustainability but also developed a sense of agency — the belief that their everyday actions can make a real difference. Many of them expressed a desire to continue working on local environmental initiatives and to act as multipliers of what they learned. The project achieved its objectives by combining environmental education with creativity, cooperation and reflection, turning abstract concepts into shared experiences. Ultimately, EcoVanguards achieved more than environmental awareness; it inspired a sense of belonging, intercultural understanding and responsibility towards the planet and each other. It proved that when young people are trusted, empowered and connected to nature, they can lead meaningful change both locally and across Europe.