In this project, we aimed to raise young people’s awareness about the environmental impact of waste and to promote the adoption of the 5R’s policy (Refuse, Repurpose, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Considering that a large portion of food waste—31 million tonnes, or 53% of the total according to Eurostat 2024—originates from households, it was urgent and essential to equip young people with practical tools they can apply daily. Throughout the project, we strived to empower participants to become agents of change in waste reduction and sustainability, both within their local communities and at a broader international level, by integrating the knowledge acquired into their everyday lives. The activities centred on the 5R’s and focused especially on household waste—food and clothing—enabled participants to develop skills and sensitivity towards effective waste management. They also explored innovative approaches to raise environmental awareness and share these insights with peers, family, and housemates, fostering a sustainable mindset and promoting behaviour change. This process also supported mental well-being by encouraging active engagement and a sense of purpose, highlighting the transversal contribution to mental health (KA150 strategic objective). ORDINCEA, a newly founded youth association based in Lamego, a small inland Portuguese town, identified a gap in youth-focused initiatives. We noted limited local awareness about Erasmus+ opportunities, as well as key social challenges such as climate change and waste’s environmental impact. This lack of information was particularly evident compared to larger urban centres. As a social sector actor, ORDINCEA recognizes its role in fostering inclusion and social engagement, directly addressing KA150’s focus on social inclusion and the social sector. Aligned with the European Union’s ambitious targets for Carbon Neutrality and the Sustainable Development Goals—as framed by the European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan—this project responded to the urgent need for increased knowledge and action on municipal waste. We believe that change must be driven not only by political agents but equally by civil society actors promoting community awareness and sustainable practices. Given the global nature of waste and climate challenges, our European-level perspective strengthened the project’s impact locally in Lamego. Through a large-scale awareness campaign in the city centre, distributing flyers and engaging the local community in conversations about climate change and waste reduction, we addressed the scarcity of youth initiatives and climate-related information, directly contributing to the KA150 objectives on climate action and youth empowerment. The aims of the project were as follows: General objective: To raise young people’s awareness of waste’s environmental impact and equip them with practical knowledge and tools to reduce waste in their daily lives, promoting healthier, more sustainable communities. Specific objectives: -Create engaging dynamics to empower young people and encourage active participation through Non-Formal Education (NFE), supporting inclusion and mental well-being. -Promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding among diverse youth groups, fostering social inclusion. -Highlight NFE as a powerful tool to address critical social and environmental issues. -Sensitize communities on the urgency of combating climate change and the consequences of waste, reinforcing the link to environmental and climate objectives. -Promote equal access to inclusive and participatory opportunities, ensuring no one is left behind. -Facilitate the development and exchange of skills, good practices, and innovative tools among participating organisations, strengthening the social sector. -Encourage critical thinking regarding environmental challenges and waste reduction strategies. -Disseminate project results and social impact to enable replication of successful practices in other social contexts. -Strengthen transnational partnerships among organisations active in youth work, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability, in line with KA150 strategic priorities.