EN
Take a Green Step
Details for the Activity
Take a Green Step is a youth exchange implemented in the Greek city of Raches from July 1st to 8th, 2024. The project aims to fight the environmental crisis, implement environment-related activities through intercultural teamwork and collaboration, and make teenagers more active by taking initiatives to protect the environment. Objectives Our world is at a pivotal moment, where the collective actions of individuals, especially the youth, can redefine the trajectory of our planet. This project was more than just an initiative, but rather a movement aiming at rallying young people together to embrace the responsibility and privilege of shaping a sustainable future. The concrete objectives of this project were to: Increase environmental awareness among the population: Awareness is what initiates change. Many people remain disconnected from the true impact of their daily choices on the planet, but knowledge is power, and by deepening our understanding of environmental issues, from climate change to biodiversity loss, we can spark the motivation needed to act. Participants in this exchange had the opportunity to educate themselves but also to become powerful advocates, spreading knowledge in their communities. Raise awareness of daily sustainable practices in the life of the participants: We aim to raise awareness of daily sustainable practices that everyone can adopt. Sustainability isn’t a distant ideal; it’s a lifestyle. From reducing waste to choosing eco-friendly products, every small step matters. Through this exchange, participants learned practical, impactful habits that reduce your ecological footprint. Create 6 local environmental actions: We were determined to create six local environmental actions—tangible, community-focused initiatives that demonstrate the power of localized efforts. These actions will stand as proof that young people can lead, innovate, and solve problems. Strengthen the personal, professional and green skills of the participants: Environmental advocacy isn’t just about passion—it’s about equipping ourselves with the tools to lead effectively. Throughout this exchange, participants grew in confidence, resilience, and collaboration, and developed skills that make them valuable contributors to the green economy, positioning themselves as leaders in a world increasingly defined by sustainability. More than a youth exchange, it’s an opportunity to turn passion into purpose, concerns into concrete action. It’s a chance to show that young people are not just inheritors of this planet but the architects of its future. Let’s come together, inspire one another, and prove that by working together, we can protect our environment and create a sustainable legacy for generations to come. Participants A total of 37 people participated in the project: 5 participants per country from 14 to 17 years old, 1 group leader per country over 18 years old, 1 facilitator from Greece. 3 participants per country were young people with fewer opportunities and priority was given to young people from vulnerable groups, minorities and young people who have not participated in E+ mobilities. Partners The partners of this project were Hellenic Youth Participation from Greece, Youth Dynamics (Cyprus), Agrado APS (Italy), NaturKultur Germany (Germany), CHECK IN NGO (Portugal), Majadas (Spain). Activities The activity of the project was a 8-days long youth exchange that took place in Raches from July 1st to 8th, 2024 (including travel dates). The project took place in Raches, a coastal village in central Greece, in the area of Fthiotis, just 2,5 hours far from Athens. The Youth Exchange was hosted in a camping-style accommodation, with large outdoor spaces and small cozy houses, in nature. The program was as followed: Day 1: Arrival, welcome session, dinner Day 2: Get to know each other, expectations-fears-contributions, code of conduct, E+, Youthpass, european opportunities Day 3: Team building, green debate, earth cafe, zero waste culture Day 4: Eco treasure hunt, green alphabet (good/bad practices), climate play, eco-hero &, ecological stress,intercultural night Day 5: Local environmental initiatives, study visits, midterm evaluation Day 6: Brainstorming for the local activities, structure the local activity, design the local activity Day 7: Feedback session, finalising local activities, self evaluation & youthpass, project evaluation, future steps Day 8: Breakfast, departure Results by country The group from Cyprus learned about sustainability practices like recycling, composting, and biodegradable materials, and participated in cleanups and intercultural events. They organised a local project while returning to their home country, creating an informative board on waste biodegradation and hosting a community event to share their experiences. This initiative promoted environmental awareness and encouraged community involvement in sustainability efforts. The Italian group hosted a gathering to share their experiences from the youth exchange, where they presented on various topics, including physical and mental health, European youth opportunities, climate change, and sustainable lifestyles. Guests rotated between stations on each topic, allowing in-depth discussions and reflections, culminating in a group conversation where everyone shared insights and experiences. The German group, aiming to develop a local environmental project, created Instagram stories on topics like microplastics and air pollution, combining key information and actionable steps to raise awareness and inspire others. The stories were viewed 53-76 times and saved as highlights (“Jugendengagement”) on their Instagram channel,@drk_rotes_haus_neue_vahr.This project expanded their knowledge and strengthened community and environmental responsibility. The Spanish team implemented a project called “The sea is not a dump”, raising awareness on beach pollution, sea pollution, as well as microplastics, giving examples on actions to take in order to solve the water pollution problem. They spread the project outcomes to other young people through an event in the local municipality. The Portuguese created an instagram account to increase awareness about environmental issues, sensitise the community about the importance of taking care of the environment, support and assist in initiatives to promote environmental conservation. They regularly posted on topics related to biodiversity, adding in-depth perception by introducing lesser-known national and international sustainability projects. The Greek team created a detailed presentation for the Youth Exchange and disseminated the learning outcomes of the project to their classmates. They spoke about the microplastic, compost practice, ecological debate and they gave some important insights of the whole experience. The young people presented their learning outcomes and experience in the "Teen to Move" for the mobilities of teenagers, during the Time to Move Campaign of Eurodesk Greece. ''Take A Green Step'' was co-funded by the European Union and the Greek National Agency "Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation" --> Here are the results of the program Find our social media:
Share