By implementing three projects during the first year of accreditation, we focused on three key goals: 1) Cultural and Creative Youth Activities Strengthening the participation of young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, in artistic and cultural activities (theater, music, dance, crafts) that develop their life, social, and emotional skills and build bonds and cohesion within the local community. 2) Activating Youth and Youth Workers from Rural Areas Strengthening the potential of youth from rural areas and supporting their active participation in social life. The goal is to equalize opportunities and develop the competencies of both young people and those working with them. 3) Education for Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030) Raising awareness among young people and youth workers about global challenges – climate change, ecology, lifestyle, and responsible consumption – and inspiring them to implement positive changes in their communities in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through the activities we selected for implementation – one youth exchange with a preparatory visit and two training courses – we are confident that we will effectively achieve these goals. Furthermore, our projects incorporated digital technologies, implemented ecological practices, promoted youth participation in democratic and social life, and achieved many of the EU Youth Goals (including Gender Equality, Mental Health and Well-being, Empowering Rural Youth, Quality Education, Space and Participation for All, A Green and Sustainable Europe, Recognition of Non-Formal Competencies, Culture and Creativity, Justice and Equality, etc.). Projects under this year's accreditation allowed participants and organizations to improve the quality of their youth work by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and competencies related to leadership, artistic, creative, global and environmental education, technological education, and digital hygiene, strengthening mental health and well-being, enabling self-development and insight into their needs, aspirations, and potential. The "Youth+Art=Wellbeing" exchange focused on discovering and using artistic tools (theater, crafts, movement, music, nature pedagogy, visual arts) to support young people in individual and team work. The project also provided them with a space to create and organize educational activities for themselves and their peers, and supported personal development and physical and mental well-being. Participants developed: - communication skills; - teamwork skills; - creativity; - knowledge of artistic methods and tools; - knowledge of techniques supporting psychophysical well-being; - self-awareness and self-confidence; - cultural competence; - the ability to design and conduct educational activities for their peers. The aim of the "The Balanced Leader - Digital Skills for a Sustainable Future" training was to equip participants with essential digital skills while promoting well-being, ethical leadership, and conscious use of technology. Participants: - learned strategies for protecting their mental health while working online; - learned how to use digital tools without losing sight of interpersonal relationships; - learned how to ethically use digital space and how to teach responsibility and digital citizenship to young people; - practiced mindfulness; - learned coaching methods and body awareness techniques for creative flow and (self-)support. The aim of the "Fast Fashion is not my Passion" training was to enhance the competence of youth workers in motivating young people to shift from a consumerist mindset to conscious shopping and sustainable development. Participants: - acquired a thorough understanding of the importance of fast fashion in contemporary society; - learned about the implications and connections between the fast fashion industry and sustainable development, the environment, climate change, workers' rights, gender discrimination, and other issues; - developed critical thinking skills about the impact of advertising and media on young people's lives, as well as greenwashing techniques; - acquired practical skills in creating educational spaces for young people on the topic of fast fashion.