The “Overshootday” is a notion that defines “when humanity has simply exceeded what Earth's resources can provide in 12 months. In 1970, it was recorded in December. In October 1990. Last year, we passed it in August! This year on July 29th… That means, today, we need about 1.6 planets to support humanity’s demand on Earth’s ecosystems. The major consequences of this capture lead to the exhaustion of our planet. We are facing various instabilities, including climate change, sanitary crises, industrial disasters, exponential growth in human population (+121% since 1970), alarming species extinctions (fauna/flora), widespread use of synthetic chemicals, malnutrition, social instability, geopolitical and cultural tensions. At the same time, waste accumulation (e.g., 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans yearly!) became a worldwide issue of our modern times. Studies predict that in 2050, the oceans will be more full of plastics than fish! The ecological print of humanity comes to compete with the forces of nature, marking a new age for the planet.
After organising Youth Exchanges on ecological issues, our organisation wanted to continue creating opportunities for learning mobilities in that field and, at the same time, to propose an immersion in an eco-place that has developed practices that inspire others to empower and grow. These 12 days, “Waste Management - Youth Exchange,” were designed to introduce and guide young adults into a worldwide topic. The main aim was to spotlight the global problem of overconsumption and waste accumulation by raising awareness on environmental/inner ecology and social/solidarity actions that innovate and heal in this field.
During the project, European youngsters went to the Catfarm community. An eco-place that promotes creative practices and fosters active eco-citizenship. During workshops, they exchanged knowledge, stories, and know-how on climate change, resource use, waste management, and systems to reduce the carbon footprint. They could learn about different business models in the social, ecological, low- and high-tech, and solidarity systems. Also, they have deepened their understanding of interculturalism and inclusivity by meeting new people from diverse backgrounds.
The project had the following specific objectives at its core:
- Raise awareness about overconsumption, waste accumulation, climate change, and ways to lower carbon footprint;
- Exchange of methods and practices about collecting, minimising, transforming, and reusing waste;
- Discovery of different models in the social, ecological, Low/High Tech, and solidarity systems;
- Raise the intelligence of the self with inner ecology as an activator of mindfulness;
- Immersion in an eco-place that proposes creative solutions to society’s issues;
- Cultivate hard and soft skills;
- Raise intercultural awareness, inclusiveness, and cultural heritage;
- Increase the sense of active, eco-responsible citizens of Earth;
- Enhance sense of initiative, leading,g and critical thinking;
- Raise awareness on the E.U practices of policies/systems in non-formal education and the identity and values of Europe;
- Promote communication and cooperation with stakeholders and partners.
Implementation
The activity implemented was a Ka1 Youth Exchange. A mobility learning on overconsumption and waste management hosted at the Catfarm eco-community in Southern France.
The project included 30 participants with the following profile:
- Aged between 17 and 27, and more for youth leaders;
- Motivated to participate in the youth exchange program;
- Interested in the topic of overconsumption and waste management;
- Participants with fewer social, geographic, economic, health, and/or cultural opportunities;
- Most of them had no or very little experience of participating in international youth exchanges.
- Curious to explore their soft/hard competences such as interpersonal and social interaction, intercultural understanding, communication in a foreign language and expression, learning to learn, positive attitude, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, eco-citizenship, problem solving, and green skills;
- Wanted to deepen their values of cooperation, creativity, participation, solidarity, and common-unity;
- Were able to understand and communicate in English;
- Motivated to disseminate project results and get involved in future follow-up projects.
Results
As results of the Waste Management - Youth Exchange project:
- Many youngsters were interested in the topic and shared their stories, concerns about climate change, and opinions on global and local changes.
- All participants were present during the project implementation.
- 18 participants with fewer opportunities participated in the project implementation.
- Some participants are planning to participate in other Erasmus+ Programs.
- Results in the group of the participants (learning outcomes/new behaviours and attitudes, greater awareness about Erasmus +, etc.);
- Proactiveness in publications about the project on social media of the participants, the partner organisations, and stakeholders;
- The Telegram channel was used by everyone to share information and communicate.
- With the friendly weather, outdoor activities could happen, and the art project too, with the participation of 15 inhabitants of Poussan.
- Six participants shared their knowledge/know-how during prepared activities and open spaces (such as creative expression, DIY practices, sharing circles, meditative walk, yoga, etc.);
- Three visits/presentations of local and ethical projects were organised. “La Palanquée”, a third place that operates around the common use of digital technologies, hub & entrepreneurship, sensitisation & education, and waste management. “Voile Latine" is an association that promotes the renovation of wooden boats with traditional practices. “Bridge for Plastic,” which is a project developed by the Catfarm Education association within the ESC-P program, aims to address waste accumulation by implementing plastic transformation for useful reuse through machines and 3D printing.
- Most of the non-organic waste, from groceries, was reused for the art project, creative activities, and the open mic.
- Some plastic from this waste will be transformed and 3D-printed by the Catfarm Education association as part of the “Bridge for Plastic” actions.
- As a start to our “Minimise your Co2 impact” charter, we have been collecting data on the production of Carbon dioxide emissions for this project. The implementation of the project has generated about 10 Tonnes of Co2. For an average of 0.33 tonnes per person. The French, German, and Dutch teams used buses, trains, and carpooling, while the Croatian, Italian, and Portuguese teams used planes and trains. Including transportation, extra drives such as pickup/drop-off, use of gas in the kitchen, and groceries.
- After the Youth Exchange, the French team, in cooperation with our partner organisation, planned a local follow-up activity on the 9th of October in the third place of Sète. Workshops about food saving and plastic recycling as a way to address waste accumulation (https://www.instagram.com/p/CVDZsLhIGLl/);
- After the exchange, the Dutch team, in cooperation with the partner organisation, planned a local follow-up activity based on a collective dinner made from food saved from the trash.
- After the exchange, the German team, together with their local network and in cooperation with the partner organisation, planned a local follow-up activity based on an Ecstatic Dance workshop, a DIY cosmetics and food workshop (making kefir, fermented vegetables,s etc.);
- After the exchange, the Croatian team planned to prepare a presentation on Erasmus+, their experience with the youth exchange, and their stay at the eco-place. They want to get involved in more youth exchanges and plan to share the presentation at that moment. One of them is also getting trained to become a youth worker. He plans to design a Youth Exchange on nature and ecology, with a potential collaboration with the Catfarm Education association.
- After the exchange, the Italian team has planned a follow-up activity to gather in a youth center, in a district of Napoli, opened by the partner organisation, to cook pizza with local products. Meanwhile, they will raise awareness of the circular economy, local consumption, and waste management practices.
- After the exchange, the Portuguese team has planned a follow-up activity at the partner organisation to organise an open day featuring DIY activities, artsy upcycling, a documentary on overconsumption and waste accumulation, and homemade snacks.
- Results in the local community with increased awareness about the topic, cooperation between stakeholders, and new collaborations planned;
- Results between partner organisations with higher-quality follow-up activities, greater youth engagement, and increased visibility on social media.
Coordinator: Stichting Adventures of the Valparaiso
• Start date 01-08-2021 • End date 30-11-2022
• ANANDA MARGA PRACARAKA SAMGHA 🇵🇹 Portugal • BUND Landesverband Berlin e.V. 🇩🇪 Germany • Catfarm Education 🇫🇷 France • Permakultura Dalmacija 🇭🇷 Croatia •
2021-1-NL02-KA152-YOU-000011135