ECOuprising

About the project

ECOuprising was an Erasmus+ youth exchange hosted by EMOTiC in Vienna from 19 to 26 August 2026, travel days included. It brought together 44 people, 35 young participants, 7 group leaders and 2 facilitators, from Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Latvia, Serbia and Slovakia. EMOTiC was the coordinator and host, and the group lived and worked together at the Jugendgästehaus Wien Brigittenau.

The project responded to an urgent need. Across Europe, climate change, pollution, unsustainable consumption and biodiversity loss directly affect young people's lives. Many young people are motivated to act but lack practical tools, international cooperation and spaces where their ideas can turn into meaningful action. ECOuprising set out to offer that space.

The exchange focused on sustainability, climate action, biodiversity, greenwashing, responsible consumption, the circular economy, human rights, eco-anxiety, wellbeing and active citizenship. It had two dimensions: understanding sustainability, climate responsibility and eco-anxiety, and developing practical eco-solutions, community initiatives and everyday green habits. Environmental games, creative workshops, Land Art, outdoor learning and study visits to urban-greening initiatives helped participants connect global challenges with everyday life.

In Vienna, the national teams became educators: each designed and ran its own workshop, from recycling and responsible consumption to eco-anxiety, greenwashing and biodiversity. The group explored national and sustainability board games, brought one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals to life in short videos and podcasts, and saw sustainability in practice on study visits to Aspern Seestadt, to green façades with GRÜNSTATTGRAU and to the offices of EMOTiC and ACCELERAS. The final day began at the United Nations in Vienna and ended with reflection and the Youthpass ceremony.

Three approaches shaped the learning: learning by experience, learning through play and creativity, and learning through nature and reflection. The exchange also addressed eco-anxiety, helping participants practise reflection methods that support emotional regulation and positive climate engagement. Daily reflection, a mid-term evaluation and the intercultural night on the first evening supported teamwork, critical thinking and European solidarity.

Each partner country selected five young participants and one group leader. Both experienced environmental activists and first-time Erasmus+ participants were welcome, no specialist knowledge was required, and the project encouraged gender-balanced and inclusive groups, with particular support for young people with fewer opportunities.

National preparation sessions began on 20 July 2026, and the follow-up phase in September 2026 centred on local Action Plans and community initiatives. Each national team developed an action plan to turn what they learned into community activities, workshops and campaigns at home, so that participants could act as multipliers for their peers.