We wanted to strengthen the capacity of youth workers in Haute-Garonne and Thuringia to engage young people in sustainability education and climate action through practical, inclusive, and non-formal learning approaches. The project aimed to better understand the needs, motivations, and barriers faced by young people and youth workers, and to turn this evidence into concrete resources and activities. We wanted to produce a comparative report, an online toolkit, and a resource centre that would provide accessible methods and inspiration for youth work on environmental sustainability. We also aimed to test these tools locally, organise an international youth encounter, and run awareness-raising and multiplier activities so that young people could gain knowledge, confidence, and motivation to act as agents of change in their communities. More broadly, the project sought to improve the quality of youth work, promote active citizenship, and encourage long-term youth participation in climate action at local level and beyond.
We applied for Green Seeds because we identified a clear need to strengthen sustainability education and climate action opportunities for young people in the rural regions of Haute-Garonne and Thuringia. The project was built around a key gap: many young people are concerned about environmental issues, but they do not always have the knowledge, support, or accessible opportunities to turn this concern into action. At the same time, youth workers needed more tools, practical methods, and capacity to engage young people in meaningful, inclusive, and hands-on ways. The local research confirmed barriers such as lack of information on how to get involved, limited local opportunities, financial and time constraints, and weak youth participation in environmental decision-making. Green Seeds was designed to respond to these needs by equipping youth workers, creating practical resources, and helping young people become more informed, confident, and active in sustainability and climate action in their communities.