The project originated from an initiative of our former ESC volunteers who had been involved with us in different periods (group and individual volunteering in 2023, 2024 and 2025). The aim of the project and the wish of the young people was to gain experience of the entire process of preparing and implementing a quality youth exchange and to try themselves in the role of youth leaders – in planning activities, facilitating groups and co-creating an inclusive learning environment. The young people wanted to further develop their leadership potential and learn how they can share their knowledge in the fields of mental health, arts and environmental topics with others. In the long term we aim to support them in independently leading projects and creating opportunities for further work or employment in the youth sector. The project has already contributed to this goal, as the group of young people is currently preparing several new youth exchanges, two of them in cooperation with our organisation. Together with the young people we defined two main focuses of the project. The first focus was exploring different forms of creative and artistic expression and their impact on personal development, wellbeing and group dynamics. The young people shared their own experiences with dance and movement, visual arts, singing and rhythm activities, and explored how artistic media can support experiential learning, stress release, presence and a sense of connection within the group. An important objective was also to explore how such methods can support the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities, encourage initiative, creativity and active ways of spending free time. Some activities also included the use of digital learning tools. The second important focus of the project was connected to nature and sustainable lifestyles. Participants aimed to explore and share with other young people concrete practices of sustainable living in ecological, social and community contexts, and to reflect on their own role in the sustainable development of society. A large part of the learning process took place through direct contact with nature and through discovering examples of good practice such as permaculture principles, self-sufficiency and circular economy. An important learning environment for this was the Mokovec Farm, which offers young people an opportunity to experience life in a place where sustainable practices are actively implemented. There they could learn about gardening, self-sufficiency and designing spaces according to permaculture principles, as well as the importance of community cooperation in caring for the environment and local resources. Part of the programme also included elements of eco-psychology, introduced by the Hungarian partner organisation. At the same time the project responded to broader needs of young people for more lively, embodied and experiential learning that is not primarily connected to digital technologies. Many young people today report increased levels of stress and various mental health challenges, therefore an important aim of the project was also to support their mental health, wellbeing and sense of connection. Activities in nature, creative processes, movement and group cooperation created a safe environment in which young people could explore their potentials, develop social and emotional competences and build a sense of community. Such approaches act as preventive and supportive practices for positive mental health. The programme therefore also included activities that encouraged mindfulness, reflection on personal values and the development of a positive attitude towards life. These experiences contribute to the development of soft skills such as cooperation, empathy, creativity, self-reflection and resilience – competences that are important both for personal life and for the active participation of young people in society. The project therefore combined art, nature and community learning as three key pathways to support the personal and social development of young people, their mental health, intercultural dialogue and reflection on a more sustainable future. To summarize, the objectives of the project were: - enable young people to explore artistic expression (movement, music, visual arts) as a way of personal expression, stress reduction and the development of social and creative competences; - develop inclusive non-formal learning methods that support cooperation, empowerment and expression of young people, including those with fewer opportunities; - support the mental health and wellbeing of young people through activities in nature, creative processes, mindfulness and reflection on personal values: - strengthen young people’s connection with nature and deepen their understanding of sustainable development and environmental challenges through direct experience of the natural environment; - present and experience practical examples of sustainable living (permaculture