The Green Roots – Seeds of Change project was launched with the aim of strengthening young people’s ability to take concrete action in the field of sustainability, offering them a space in which to explore and apply practical skills, foster intercultural exchange, and deepen their understanding of the link between personal well-being and environmental responsibility. Participants, often felt a sense of uncertainty and powerlessness in the face of the climate crisis: they were aware of the urgency to act, but felt ill-equipped to make a real impact in their own lives and communities. The project addressed this need by providing a shared learning environment in which to acquire knowledge, experiment with sustainable practices and develop the confidence needed to integrate these experiences into daily life. Through practical workshops and experiential activities, the project helped participants develop skills in areas related to sustainability, with a particular focus on plant-based diets, waste reduction and mindful consumption. Participants explored the environmental impact of their daily choices and acquired practical tools to make a sustainable lifestyle accessible and rewarding. In this way, the project transformed what is often passive awareness into active engagement, helping young people to take on a more responsible role in climate action. The project also highlighted the link between sustainability and personal well-being, addressing the emotional and mental strain that eco-anxiety can cause in young people. Through mindfulness, movement and connecting with nature, participants experienced how contact with the natural environment can strengthen resilience and support a balanced, long-term commitment to sustainability. Useful tools were provided to engage in environmental activism without feeling overwhelmed, keeping motivation high even beyond the duration of the exchange. A central focus of the project was intercultural exchange, recognising how sustainability is deeply rooted in cultural traditions and ancestral knowledge. Participants shared practices and perspectives from their own cultural contexts, exploring in particular the relationship between sustainability, food and resource management. This exchange fostered greater open-mindedness, challenged stereotypes and helped build a shared vision of sustainability that transcended national and cultural boundaries. The project also contributed to the development of creative and digital skills, enabling participants to effectively document and share their learning journey. Through storytelling, photography and the creation of social media content, the young people learnt to communicate their experiences in an engaging way, inspiring others and extending the project’s impact beyond the group of direct participants. These skills also supported their personal and professional growth, strengthening their ability to use digital platforms in an informed and meaningful way. The entire project promoted learning based on real-world experience, enabling young people to experience sustainability in a practical, everyday way, rather than merely discussing it in theoretical terms. Through workshop design, creative collaboration, sustainable practices and cultural exchange, participants developed a greater sense of responsibility, autonomy and initiative, moving from inaction to small but significant changes capable of contributing to a broader social impact. Green Roots, in line with the principles of non-formal education, provided an inclusive, participatory and flexible learning environment, in which young people were able to actively shape their own learning journey, learn from their peers and develop skills that would remain useful even after the exchange had ended. The exchange thus generated a multiplier effect, leaving participants with renewed motivation, practical tools for a sustainable lifestyle and greater confidence in their ability to take action within their respective communities.