This youth exchange was created by a group of youths from different partner countries who were mindful of the environment and greatly concerned about climate change. They gathered for this youth exchange to set the base for leading a future without fossil fuels and rich soils, a future where everyone lives in a sustainable world. The youth exchange gathered like-minded youths to explore topics that offer solutions to climate change, such as permaculture, natural building, and solar energy, and to connect and combine these three. They went on a journey to see a deeper correlation between the Earth and the Sun and explored how to use these two sources to produce their own food and shelter and generate energy. Participants explored eco-living, learning about other solutions for environmental issues and more sustainable lives.
Through this exchange, young people were encouraged and empowered to gain greater awareness of climate change and environmental issues. Within 15 days in France, 36 young adults were fostered by increasing their capacity in solutions to live an ecological life. Throughout the workshop, reflection on environmental challenges the world is facing was incorporated, and communication and debate tools were taught to promote critical thinking on this topic. Participants suggested having small sessions on mindfulness and connection to nature, and learning about healthy, whole foods, so they could grow themselves. Participants were led on a journey to reflect on how they were living and what changes they wanted to make for themselves and the world.
Participants were introduced to alternative ways of living and were inspired by the space where the project took place, the Catfarm Community.
Specific objectives that were achieved included:
- Raised awareness about climate change while empowering youngsters to develop critical thinking and communication around this topic
- Showcased to the participants what was possible with permaculture, solar panels, and natural building.
- Encouraged participants to host workshops around the theme to generate confidence and foster sharing with the group
- Promoted the concept of co-creation and participatory project by involving participants in all phases of the project
- Immersion in an experimental way of life within an eco-place offered an example of leading green lifestyles
- Co-created a solar-powered natural dome and a garden bed while fostering collaboration and teamwork.
- Promoted social inclusion by exchanging international perspectives, developing intercultural competence, and understanding different cultures
- Shared cultures, exchanged ideas among youth to form a base for future corporations and projects
- Raised awareness of youngsters' cultural heritage and encouraged commitment in their communities while improving the cultural awareness and expression of competence
- Fostered communication and cooperation with the stakeholders
- Raised awareness on the practices of policies and systems in matters of non-formal education of youth in the EU
Implementation
Activity 1, Back To Roots, Youth exchanges - Member States and associated countries. Venue: Catfarm, Poussan (France).
Planned dates: 16/06/2023-28/06/2023
Countries involved: Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, and Denmark.
Number of participants: 36
Out of which with fewer opportunities: 18
Activity 2: Back To Roots, APV
Countries involved: Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, and Denmark.
Number of participants: 11
The participants in the youth exchange were motivated young people aged 18 to 30. Youth for this project came from different backgrounds; what united them was their interest in the topic and desire to make a change in their communities.
Participants Profile:
Aged between 18 and 30; Motivated to participate in the youth exchange and interested in the topic; Have no or very little experience of participating in international youth exchanges; Appreciate differences and enjoy a multicultural environment; An open mind to an alternative lifestyle at the Catfarm community; Willing to open up and share their vulnerability with others; We search and prioritize participants with fewer opportunities; Motivated to participate in all stages of the project, from the beginning to the end; Motivated to disseminate project results and get involved in future follow-up projects; Having the ambition to explore their soft/hard competencies, such as interpersonal interaction, sense of initiative, intercultural understanding, DIY, positive attitude, entrepreneurial, eco-citizen, and green skills; Being motivated to deepen their values of sustainability, cooperation, creativity, active citizenship, solidarity, and community life; Being able to understand and communicate in English; Active in the co-creation of the project during the planning, preparation, implementation, and follow-up phases.
Results
The participants were greatly impacted by the atmosphere, the information they learned, and the exposure to different cultures and traditions. They created simple friendships with people from all over Europe and had the opportunity to co-create these projects from the planning phase. Participants got to know new people and cultures. They developed their language competencies and enhanced their European identity.
This motivated them to become change agents and to continue working to make the world better by dedicating their passion to some of the project's topics. As a result, participants not only gained more knowledge and formed a network for future cooperation but also used this foundation to be inspired to contribute to their local communities for sustainability.
With this project, participants developed their resilience in the face of societal changes and tomorrow's challenging social issues; they understood that there are other ways of living, consuming, working, gaining knowledge and know-how; they became aware of the power to act together to solidify their commitment to their communities; they promoted the identity and values of Europe through the multicultural friendships they created during the project. The participants developed their linguistic, educational, cultural, social, and ecological skills. They were strongly motivated to become actors of change and continue working for peace and respect for living things through their passions and interests. Lastly, they co-created a different story from our society and became experts in their own experience.
In addition, the projects hosted by Catfarm matured the idea that, in these exchanges, open dialogue with the volunteers living at the Catfarm led to varied outcomes over time and directly impacted young people. By meeting travelers, digital nomads, creatives, artists, etc., participants were able to discuss different ways of living and working, managing their time and budget, commitment, and investment in a project of social utility, and ecological, cultural, and economic aspects. Friendships and international ties were formed and strengthened, deepening the understanding of international commitment.
Overall, the participants benefited from the following outcomes:
- They improved their learning performance.
- Their employability was enhanced and their career prospects improved;
- Their sense of initiative and entrepreneurship increased;
- Their self-empowerment and self-esteem increased;
- Their foreign language competencies improved;
- Their intercultural awareness was enhanced;
- Their participation in society became more active.
- Their awareness of the European project and the EU values improved;
- Their motivation for taking part in future (formal/non-formal) education increased.
Dissemination of results and outputs:
Social Media Posts on Adventures of the Valparaiso accounts: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresofthevalparaiso
Social Media posts on Catfarm accounts:
https://www.facebook.com/Catfarm.poussan
https://www.instagram.com/the.catfarm/
Open Source: Workshops, Games, Activities, Tools, Evaluations, and methodologies shared by participants and facilitators
[https://catfarm.notion.site/Workshops-7ebffcf0dc294f76b7579730e45ae4ec](https://catfarm.notion.site/Workshops-7ebffcf0dc294f76b7579730e45ae4ec](https://www.notion.so/Workshops-7ebffcf0dc294f76b7579730e45ae4ec?pvs=21))
Open source Practical and Reusable Resources and Tools used at the Catfarm
[https://www.notion.so/catfarm/Development-and-Learning-247a0f9ea67e441fbaea50902a1becde](https://www.notion.so/catfarm/Development-and-Learning-247a0f9ea67e441fbaea50902a1becde](https://www.notion.so/Development-and-Learning-247a0f9ea67e441fbaea50902a1becde?pvs=21))
Coordinator: Catfarm Education
• Start date 01-01-2023 • End date 31-12-2023
• Ananda Marga Danmark 🇩🇰 Denmark • ASSOCIACAO CHECK-IN - COOPERACAO E DESENVOLVIMENTO 🇵🇹 Portugal • Hopeland 🇬🇷 Greece • New Wellness Education - APS 🇮🇹 Italy • Stichting Adventures of the Valparaiso 🇳🇱 Netherlands
2022-3-FR02-KA152-YOU-000095615