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Drops of Change

2025-3-PT02-KA152-YOU-0003711462025Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: PT|RO|SK|ES|DE|LT · Grant: €41,272
Environment and climate changeGreen skillsDisaster prevention, preparedness and recovery

Objectives

The Drops of Change project is a natural continuation of the work begun with Waterworld, responding to the need to raise awareness among young people about sustainable water management, now with a specific focus on urban challenges and the impacts of climate change. While the previous project explored the vital importance of water resources and the pressures on rivers and aquifers, this new exchange focuses on urban areas, where phenomena such as prolonged droughts, flash floods and water pollution threaten the well-being of communities and the resilience of cities. Ineffective water management in urban areas, combined with soil sealing, waste and a lack of adaptive strategies, requires a critical eye and urgent action on the part of the younger generations. At European level, the data point to a worrying reality: around 80% of the water consumed comes from rivers and aquifers, which are highly vulnerable to overexploitation and climate change. Countries such as Portugal and Lisbon face increasingly frequent challenges of water scarcity and consumption restrictions, while regions such as Germany and Slovakia have experienced severe episodes of flooding that endanger human lives, infrastructure and ecosystems. In Romania and Lithuania, on the other hand, water pollution and drinking water quality remain critical issues. This diversity of realities, represented by the countries in the consortium, allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the problem and demonstrates that water, despite being a universal resource, faces very different local challenges. By bringing together participants from these different contexts, we create conditions for young people to develop a European and global vision of the issue, while reflecting on the concrete impacts on their communities. The project values interculturality as a tool for learning and promotes dialogue between different perspectives, creating a space where individual experiences are transformed into collective knowledge. We believe that young people should be an active part of this reflection, as it is today's youth who will experience the effects of the climate and water crisis most intensely in the future. Drops of Change has the following main objectives: (1) to raise young people's awareness of the impact of climate change on urban water management, promoting critical reflection and environmental literacy; (2) to empower participants to develop creative and sustainable water-related solutions in urban contexts, encouraging participatory and innovative methodologies; (3) to promote the intercultural sharing of good practices, strengthening mutual understanding and European solidarity; and (4) to stimulate youth leadership and protagonism in building more resilient and ecological cities, encouraging their active participation in local communities. The chosen methodology is based on the principles of non-formal education, using activities such as debates, simulations, creative workshops, role-playing, study visits and group work. The diversity of sessions — from experimental laboratories on water in an urban context to structured debates and co-creation exercises — ensures that participants not only acquire knowledge but also develop essential skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, intercultural communication, creativity and problem solving. In this way, the project contributes to the eight Key Competences of the European Union, in particular citizenship, cultural awareness and lifelong learning. It is important to note that this is a project designed and run by young people, for young people. The direct involvement of participants in all stages — from preparation to evaluation — ensures that the initiative responds to their real needs and offers them a space to take the lead. We believe it is essential for European youth to reflect on the impact of water in cities and the adaptations needed to mitigate the consequences of climate change. Only through awareness-raising and active participation is it possible to build more prepared, supportive and sustainable communities. The Erasmus+ programme and youth exchanges highlight precisely these dimensions: intercultural education, active citizenship and youth empowerment. Our project is aligned with these priorities by promoting non-formal learning and the exchange of experiences between young people from different countries, strengthening 21st-century skills and providing tools for participants to be protagonists of change. In line with European priorities for youth, Drops of Change contributes to sustainability, social inclusion, democratic participation and environmental literacy.

Project partners (6)