The Youth Exchange Youth Act For Sustainability took place in Fuerteventura, Spain between the 14th and the 21st of July 2021. The young people had the opportunity to explore how the 17 SDGs work and understand what the key global challenges remain as we work towards a sustainable and inclusive world. The youth exchange served as the tool of sharing best practices by youth with youth and for youth on the topics of sustainability, self-empowerment and self-esteem, entrepreneurship, sense of initiative.
“This exchange was one of the best moments in my life! It was my first experience of this kind and I had a lot of fun while learning a lot at the same time. From learning about plastic and the impact it has on our flora and fauna to being aware of the SDG, the actors that can help, and the impact we as individuals have, to being able to meet very kind people from different countries learning about their culture, the way they think and how will they tackle the challenges that the workshops presented to us. So it was a good mix of learning new things and having a lot of fun with people from different countries under the careful surveillance of our leaders :) “ Robert
“A youth exchange is an opportunity to develop and learn new things. Youth exchanges allow groups of young people from different countries to meet, live together and work on shared projects for short periods. On a youth exchange, you can expect to participate in activities such as workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, outdoor activities and more. Youth exchanges represent a unique form of learning mobility within the Erasmus+. Sustainability is usually defined as the processes and actions through which humankind avoids the depletion of natural resources, in order to keep an ecological balance that doesn’t allow the quality of life of modern societies to decrease. The term “sustainability” has been broadly applied to characterize improvements in areas like natural resources overexploitation, manufacturing operations, the linear consumption of products, the direction of investments, citizen lifestyle, consumer purchasing behaviours, technological developments or business and general institutional changes. Sustainability is made up of three pillars: the economy, society, and the environment. These principles are also informally used as profit, people and planet.” Albert
“For me, this was the first Erasmus+ youth exchange I was involved in and I can wholeheartedly say it’s 100% worth it. The project gave me the opportunity to interact with people from all over Europe, that from strangers at first, became friends. Also, I got to learn about sustainability and its real importance in our lives. It’s a subject that I, personally, though I understood it, was proven wrong. Seeing firsthand the amount of plastic pollution in the ocean and beaches made me realize the importance of sustainability and the impact that we, individuals, can make in the world.” Ruben
“Stepping out of your comfort zone- this is the best way to describe any Erasmus+ project. You get to learn so many new things about yourself and about the topic that the project has. You get to see yourself doing things that, before the project, you didn't even think you'd be able to do them. You get to meet new people from different countries and from different backgrounds, all united through the projects. Even friendships are being created ^^ You get to travel, to explore new places and, for at least one week, you get to experience how it is to live in the host country. It is an experience that I'd love to enjoy again, and again, and again. And for those who are still unsure about getting into a project or not: DO IT. I can guarantee that you won't regret it. Step out of your comfort zone!!!” Robert
“At the end of the project "Youth for Sustainability" the group of people that participated in it were left with a question: "What changes should we make to save our planet from dying?" And they found the answer in the contents of the project, by participating in various activities that made them understand that the changes that the planet suffers from are caused by humans. From climate change to the polluted oceans and from the plastic islands to the endangered animals. Humanity did the damage so humanity needs to repair it by trying hard enough and working together.” Denisa