JJ FILMS & CULTURE was founded with the aim of promoting intercultural exchange and local culture. With the start of the permaculture project Dupa Gard, sustainability and permaculture moved into the primal focus becoming a life-long learning project. The objectives of both exploring rural perspectives and developing ideas for a more sustainable, autonomous and self-sustainable lifestyle represent the project's focus. The existing network of young people around Dupa Gard (including last year's YE participants) has been involved in the process of the needs-analysis (indirectly by our experience in working with the youth, directly by polls and feedback forms) and in developing the course schedule, adding value to the project itself as well as to the possible learning outcomes for the participants. JJ FILMS & CULTURE will further expand its reach, not only giving it a more powerful impact in the local community but also increasing its relevance in the regional and national permaculture community. A further benefit is the international connections JJ FILMS & CULTURE will receive through its project partners, opening up many more future possibilities. Ioana will work as project coordinator and team leader while applying her experience as a former EVS (European Voluntary Service) and putting her acquired competences into practice. Andreas will use his long-term experience in permaculture and eco-communities as youth facilitator and project manager. We also aim to empower the initiatives, NGOs and partners involved. They will profit both from the connections gained by organising and participating in the project- therefore gaining a wider reach and a deeper knowledge during the planning, the activities phase and the evaluation afterwards. It is also a chance for the individuals sent by their organisation to gain personal experience in the topics covered, as well in their field of proficiency they apply during the exchange. These may be soft skills, new techniques valuable during youth work and exchanges, or specific practical knowledge and skills in sustainable living, permaculture, as well as specific soil-related topics covered in the project. However, the main aim will be equipping the participating youth with powerful tools used to becoming Earth-strong – more grounded, transforming climate-anxiety into active engagement on sustainable topics. Through providing them with a stable, theoretical base as well as several practical skills and hands-on experiences during the activities, they will leave the project with a thorough toolbox they can use to actively design their own active Soilpunk-future in their local community and beyond. Theory is softened through practical sessions, group challenges and gamification. They will have encountered new cultures, especially the hosting community and its traditional and self-sufficient way of life. They will have felt first hand that sustainable futures in connection with soil and nature are possible and can possibly be even more rewarding than the disconnected life-patterns the youth see. Participants will have gained a better understanding about the multi-level challenges (social, economic and environmental) humanity is facing. At the same time, they will also have met possible solutions and ways to face these challenges by becoming active citizens, tools for cooperation and co-design, using the provided tools like Dragon Dreaming and exercising their rights and power. Some may leave with a new feeling of being empowered, many will become active themselves or at least apply small changes in their routine, which will also create positive ripple effects in their local community. By utilising the YouthPass, they will be able to categorise their newly acclaimed skills and make them tangible for their personal and possibly professional future. To intensify the experience, the project will use a variety of techniques relevant to youth exchange- such as holistic, in/ non formal learning. This includes group discussions, morning circles, deep listening, nature-connection walks and non-violent communication, open space technology and interactive workshops. These methods enhance the participants' learning experience and will result in an additional layer of interactivity and a deeper immersion into the topics of the project. The participants' mental well-being may be supported by a process of self-discovery and by getting tools to approach problems in a structured and critical thinking manner. Also, by observing the facilitator and the organisers and by intercultural exchange, the participants will acquire / deepen their soft skills (especially empathy, active listening, teamwork and time management). Overall, SABER has the potential of a lasting, positive impact on the life quality of the participants’, organisers’ and all the people impacted by its ripple effects in the future. Lets become Earthstrong!