The project aimed to equip young people aged 16–30 with the knowledge, skills, and tools to actively engage in environmental and community-based initiatives through nature-based approaches. A key objective was to strengthen practical leadership competencies, enabling participants to design and implement local actions, collaborate with stakeholders, and take initiative in addressing social and environmental challenges. The project also aimed to develop and test a structured and adaptable training framework, including a theoretical handbook and practical tools, ensuring its applicability across different local contexts and target groups. Another objective was to enhance connections between young participants and local ecosystems of stakeholders, strengthening collaboration between youth, organisations, and community actors. Finally, the project sought to lay the foundations for a translocal network of youth ambassadors, supporting peer learning, knowledge exchange, and continued engagement beyond the project duration.
The project was developed in response to identified needs among young people aged 16–30 in Portugal and Spain, particularly the lack of accessible opportunities to develop leadership skills, environmental awareness, and active participation in their communities. Many young people, especially those from rural areas and migrant backgrounds, face limited access to non-formal education experiences that combine personal well-being with social and environmental action. At the same time, there was a need to strengthen their capacity to take initiative, collaborate, and engage in local challenges. From an organisational perspective, both partners identified the need for structured and adaptable training models that could support youth empowerment through nature-based approaches, while being transferable across different local contexts. Additionally, the project addressed the need to strengthen collaboration between stakeholders working in youth, environment, and well-being sectors, contributing to more connected and resilient local ecosystems.