GEYC: Sustainability Policy

Marking the Sustainability Related International Days
Highlighting the importance of the UN International Days on environment and sustainability

Greening Catering and Event Related Supplies
Transitioning from traditional office events to a more sustainable approach, using seasonal products

Going Paperless
Encouraging digital documentation and communication and the use of electronic signatures and forms

Greening Office Supplies
Opting for refillable ink cartridges and toners for printers and choosing office supplies made from recycled materials

Managing Waste
Placing two different containers in the office to separate wet and dry waste

Composting
Providing a special container for compost at the office

Promoting Green
Greening the travel arrangements for our activities (participants and staff)

Being Inclusive
Prioritizing participants attending their first mobility and with less opportunities while ensuring gender balance

Inclusive and Diverse Community
Diversity in the Executive Team, Board of Directors, and Changemakers

Green Cleaning
Prioritizing the use of environmentally friendly and non-toxic cleaning products

Reducing the Use of Plastic
Avoiding single-use materials and reuse the already bought plastic containers

Being Energy Mindful
Maximizing the use of natural light and minimizing the energy consumption for lighting/heating/cooling

Encouraging Energy-Conscious Behaviours
Turning off any devices and the energy outlets when no one is in the office

Working Flexibly
Depending on their duties, our staff have flexible working hours & location

Seniority Matters
Each completed year in the GEYC team, brings our people an additional paid annual leave day capped at maximum 35

Happy Free Day
Our staff have an additional free day on their birthday

Resetting - Charging
Promoting 2 consecutive weeks annual leave duration for the employees

Optimizing Luggage
Packing lightly to prioritize essentials in limited luggage space for efficient and convenient travel.

Travelling Sustainable
Prioritizing green travel and direct return flights with the same airline, supplemented by eco-friendly ground connections

Participants from large families
Offering financial support for travel and participation costs, such as covering accommodation/meals/participation fee

Participants with separated parents
Offering emotional and psychological support through mentoring during activities

Participants in foster care
Providing assistance with legal documentation and permissions for travel or participation in european mobility

NEET participants
Organising group travel arrangements to eliminate additional costs and reduce logistical challenges

Participants with limited access to digital resources
Providing necessary equipment and internet access for online activities, workshops, group work

Participants from rural areas
Offering flexible travel options, including sleeping car bed, meals on the duration of the long distance traveling

Geographical obstacles
Organising regional or local activities, such as the GEYC Caravan and facilitate the youth participation in the area

Language barriers
Providing or accompanying basic preparation in English by the support organisation

Intercultural challenges
Creating safe spaces where participants can express their identities freely and without judgment

Difficult physical condition
Exceptionally covering taxi, private car or rideshare

Neurodivergent young people
Creating a safe space at the venue where they can relax, avoid social contact when needed

Youth with hearing difficulties
Providing sign language interpreters during activities, workshops, and presentations

Digital inclusion
Fostering the development of basic digital skills among all participants through crash-courses

Inclusive learning
Using group discussions to facilitate dialogue that promote social learning in different ways

Context

This policy has been authorised by management and will be constantly reviewed, improved and updated. We are committed to fulfill all environmental legal requirements and other compliance obligations relevant to our activities.

The Environmental and Sustainability Policy has been updated in the context of the Sustainable NGOs project.

Aim: to raise awareness of climate change and environmental challenges in line with European and global strategic documents in the youth sector, empower the youth sector for the green transition and to start working in a more sustainable way, improve the green competences of young people, youth workers and leaders and help them change their habits and behaviors, so that they will become actors of change both inside and outside the youth organization.
Funded by: Erasmus+ KA220 Partnerships for Cooperation
Project ID: 2022-2-SI02-KA220-YOU-000094226

In the context of the Erasmus+ Youth Accreditation (2024-1-RO01-KA151-YOU-000208961), we have elaborated further the social inclusion pillar to consolidate GEYC's and partners engagement towards this area by proposing tailored methods for each category of vulnerability.