The project ReForest is firmly grounded in the core objectives of the E+ Programme and the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027, blending 2 main key priorities: environment and climate action and digital transformation. By combining ecological engagement with practical digital tools in an intercultural youth exchange setting, the project promotes active citizenship, sustainability, and solidarity- values that we view as central to the future of Europe. At EU level, the urgency of youth engagement in climate action is clear. While the European Green Deal calls on young people to become drivers of the green transition, recent data highlights a persistent gap between values and action. The Education and Training Monitor 2024 shows that although 66–88% of young people express strong sustainability values, only 20–34% engage in sustained environmental action in their daily lives. This confirms that motivation alone is not enough; young people need practical pathways, skills, and supportive environments to act. As country-specific data on youth environmental behaviour is limited for the participating countries, participant NGOs conducted local surveys and consultations within their communities and youth networks. Using social media outreach and direct contact, approximately 70 young people per country were consulted. Across all 4 countries, main results showed a consistent pattern: -Around 80% of respondents reported high motivation to act for the environment -Over 50% identified barriers such as lack of practical guidance (“how to start”), low confidence (“fear to act alone”), or missing tools (where and with what) -90% reported not using ecological mobile apps -75% were not part of any environmental action groups or digital communities -Only 15% had ever participated in a reforestation activity. These findings reveal a paradox of modern youth engagement: digital platforms make environmental information highly accessible, yet often replace active involvement with passive digital activism (liking, sharing, clicking). Young people feel informed and concerned, but disconnected from concrete solutions and collective action. Learning needs analysis and educational response What we identified: -Current situation: High concern for climate change, strong digital presence, low practical engagement -Gap: Lack of confidence, direction, and applied digital skills for environmental action -Learning needs: Practical experience, peer support, accessible digital tools, and real-life impact ReForest was therefore designed as a non-formal, experiential learning mobility that directly responds to these needs through: -Hands-on environmental action: reforestation workshops and a collective planting activity -Practical digital training: use of citizen science platforms, nature-mapping apps, eco-trackers, and digital advocacy tools -Peer learning and reflection: intercultural teamwork, guided reflection, and youth-led dissemination This approach allows young people to move from motivation to sustained engagement, proving that the digital world- when used consciously- can empower rather than overwhelm. Project goal and objectives The overall goal of ReForest is to increase environmental action behaviour supported by digital tools among 48 young people aged 18–24 from Romania, Hungary, Portugal, and Czechia by the end of the project, with reforestation as the central collective action. Specific objectives: 1. To increase the active civic engagement of 48 youth aged 18–24 from RO, HU, PT, CZ, enabling them to independently initiate or join at least one ecological volunteering action in their home countries after the mobility. 2. To develop the sustainable digital behaviour of 48 youth aged 18–24 from RO, HU, PT, CZ, by equipping them with practical knowledge of 4 ecological mobile apps into their daily routines after the mobility. 3. To strengthen the capacities of beginner participating NGOs from RO, HU, PT, CZ in climate action and digital tools, while fostering lasting partnerships and collaboration on youth-led sustainability initiatives by the end of the project. Key Erasmus+ objectives ReForest responds directly to Key Action 1 – Youth Exchanges as outlined in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2025. The project fosters key competences, promotes EU values, supports inclusion, and offers meaningful non-formal learning across borders. Sessions delivered with environmental stakeholders connect local realities with EU-level challenges. The project integrates Erasmus+ horizontal priorities in a coherent way: -Environment & Climate Action: hands-on afforestation and biodiversity awareness, linked with daily habits -Digital Transformation: accessible digital tools used for real environmental impact -Inclusion & Diversity: active involvement of young people with fewer opportunities and beginners in civic action