Nurturing Earth and Wellbeing
- a youth exchange for young people -
- in Vienna, Austria from 01 to 08 August 2024 -
GENESIS OF THE YOUTH EXCHANGE:
Climate anxiety is currently one of the most pressing problems affecting us as young people. At the same time, as young people we see protecting the environment and fighting climate change (34%) as our top priorities in the latest Eurobarometer on Youth report. Both the climate prioritization and climate anxiety underline the importance of increasing efforts for environmental and sustainability issues and addressing them through innovative and practical approaches that bring solutions, instead of amplifying the problem or increasing the hype. There is also mounting evidence that our relationship with the environment profoundly influences both our physical and mental health. In light of this, there has been a growing recognition of nature-based solutions as effective responses to a variety of social, environmental, and economic challenges. Therefore, our initiative, 'Nurturing Earth and Wellbeing,' marks the commencement of a series of youth exchange projects that address environmental concerns along with pertinent social, economic, and global issues. This first phase is dedicated to enriching young people's knowledge and skills in sustainability, food, nutrition, and mental health. Our project's mission is to facilitate a shift from large-scale, single-crop farming to smaller, community-based agricultural practices that are integrated within urban areas, thereby reducing overall carbon emissions. We aim to promote the development of ecologically harmonious cities populated by active, informed citizens who contribute to both personal and environmental health by consuming locally sourced, nutritious foods. This initiative seeks to enhance connections to the earth and overall wellbeing, cultivating an appreciation for restorative urban agriculture and its manifold benefits for mental health, society, communities, and both the local and global environment. Our approach combines nature-based practices with mindfulness, psychological insights, and reconnection tools to achieve these objectives.".
LEARNING EXPERIENCE:
The program has been thoughtfully crafted based on extensive research and the expressed needs and challenges of young people, including their time constraints and diverse learning preferences. It is designed to be adaptable, adjusting to the learning styles and needs of the participants throughout the duration of the project. The project unfolds in three main stages:
Initial Preparation: Participants engage in a variety of activities and exercises designed to prepare them for the core experiences of the project.
Exchange Mobility: Participants attend a 6-day event in Vienna, where they collaborate with peers from partner organizations, engaging in intensive learning and networking activities.
Follow-Up: Participants return to their local communities to implement projects, applying what they have learned to make a tangible impact.
The aims and objectives of this project were:
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Reestablishing a connection with nature to cultivate joy and grounding, enhancing awareness of self-regulation techniques.
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Building a sense of community that enables participants to contribute meaningfully to significant projects, promoting reconnection with nature.
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Creating a forum for participants to express their environmental concerns and uncertainties, fostering constructive dialogue and practical solutions.
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Introducing practical and actionable tools that participants can implement post-project, emphasizing process-based and solution-focused strategies.
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Supporting the advancement of crucial developmental aspects in young people, such as self-confidence and authenticity.
THE PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS:
- young person 18-25 years old, resident in one of the partner countries (Latvia, Austria, Greece, Poland, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary and Romania);
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Participants from Austria can be between 15 and 25;
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able to communicate confidently in English;
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willing to experience a week of reconnecting to nature, learning about urban agriculture, and planning to implement changes in order to live better, healthier, and more sustainably;
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willing to commit to preparation and follow-up period;
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No previous experience in Erasmus+ or sustainable development is needed.
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We will select 4 young people from each country +1 group leader of any age.
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The group leader can be up to 30 years old.
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The oldest person in the group must be the group leader.
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You must commit to full participation during the whole activity and sessions.
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Demonstrate commitment to European values and principles and respect for diversity.
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Motivated to cooperate with other participants to leverage the overall impact.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS:
- The youth exchange is "fully" funded!
- It is financed by the European Commission as part of the Erasmus+.
- The hostel, training, materials, meals, and transport are covered to the determined limits.
- Participants are required to book their own transport (flights, busses, trains) to and from Vienna and we will refund the eligible costs to you after your successful participation.
- Only selected persons can book their tickets, after our advice!
- The refund of travel costs is after the implementation of the local follow-up initiative.
- The coordinator and host are not responsible for any charges or payments the participants have to do to the sending organisation.
PARTICIPATION RULES AND CONDITIONS:
- You should attend the entire activity from 1 to 8 August 2024 (including travel).
- You should engage in all preparation and follow-up activities.
- You should fill out the form before 30 May 2024 (Initial deadline).
- You should sign the participation agreement once selected, within a period of three days.
- You should purchase your travel tickets within five days of signing the agreement.
OTHER IMPORTANT REMARKS:
- Applications will be reviewed and accepted based on motivation and eligibility.
- More details such as preparatory tasks will be shared after selection via email.
- You will receive a YouthPass certificate on the last day of the training.
TIMEFRAME:
Preparation:
From 01. 06 2024 to 30. 07 2024 (in various stages)
Participation:
1. Aug th to 8 Aug (in Vienna, Austria)
Follow-up:
September 2024 (local implementation of follow-up initiatives)
