Youth Exchange “Sustainability 4 Positive Change”, 03-12 November 2021, Floda, Sweden
Accomodated on the Bockaberg Campsite, Floda, 60 participants from Sweden, North Macedonia, Italy, Bulgaria, Spain and Turkey, attended the Youth Exchange “Sustainability 4 Positive Change”. Most of them would agree that the most unique thing that people have during their youth is the endless discovery of the outside world and when it comes to new experiences, Erasmus+ has to be mentioned as one of the golden opportunities for them to do so.
During an Erasmus+ journey, youngsters are encouraged every day to get out of their comfort zone and try to discover the beauty in discomfort and adaptation. Many of them will overcome their biggest insecurities, mainly thanks to the many activities that are proposed during the stay, all focused on building relations and bonds, within an intercultural environment. Days are filled with workshops and activities, all spinning around a specific topic, and this time it was related to sustainability. “What are SDG goals? Why should we recycle and go zero waste? Why should we buy second hand? What does gender equality mean?” were the questions that were covered in order to raise awareness and improve critical thinking.
Debating on various topics was a great way to exchange good practices on sustainability focusing on youth. Another aim as well was to inspire participants to live more sustainable lifestyle and to to provide space for developing new projects, initiatives encouraging young people to live more greener and sustainable life. Gathering youngsters from all over Europe and giving them the opportunity to discover themselves by living together for a short period of time is probably one of the most stimulating challenges for shaping a personality and gaining knowledge. This time, the participants will bring back with them environmental awareness and environmentally responsible behavior and try to affect young people from their communities through online dissemination activities and local follow up events.
