Youth Against Plastic

3 July 2023

Program: Erasmus+, KA1 – Mobility of Youth Workers
Project leader:  Copenhagen Youth Network – Denmark
Timeframe of the project:  21st of August – 30th of August, 2023
Partners:

• Poland ?? – Association Reflections on Europe
• Portugal ?? – Teatro Metaphora
• Denmark ?? – Copenhagen Youth Network
• Italy ?? – MOH
• Spain ?? – Fundacion Plan B Educacion Social
• Germany ?? – Kulturcampus
• Ukraine ?? – Civic Organization “Development and Initiative”
• France ?? – Toulouse Youth Network
• Jordan ?? – AL-EMAD ALKABEER FOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT CO
• Armenia ?? – Asset Based Community Development Innovation Center
• Czech Republic ?? – EUROPEAN YOUTH CENTRE BRECLAV

Aims of the projects:

• to determine shared values and best practices and use them for spreading awareness on the issues of plastic pollution and climate change.
• to engage 36 youth workers and offer them the chance to learn and develop quality non-formal education.
• methods to connect and empower participants to enable cooperation and networking among their countries.
• to raise awareness about Erasmus+ and ESC programs and the ways to use them to implement our own projects and ideas.
• to promote the inclusion and employability of marginalized young people with fewer opportunities, as well as to empower them with non-formal education content.
• to develop sustainable follow-up actions targeting hard-to-reach young people that youth workers will implement after the training.

Summary:

On August 21-30, young people took part in the international exchange “Youth Against Plastic”. During the exchange, participants learned about the causes and consequences of pollution caused by plastic!

The project was full of many activities, ranging from debates on the future of our planet, DIY workshops – during which participants had the opportunity to create their own bio cosmetics (e.g. eco lip balms, antiperspirants and toothpaste), cleaning the forest and the port of Copenhagen (also on kayaks) – for cooperation with local activists. Participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of ecology and contribute to improving the condition of life on our planet!

What’s more, young people had the opportunity to show their creativity at ‘open space’ workshops – during which they developed theatrical, artistic and even photographic skills! All these activities took place in the bosom of nature, thanks to which the participants could devote themselves even more intensively to the magic of the workshops and let their creativity get carried away!

As many as 11 countries took part in the project – Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Armenia, Jordan, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Portugal, and our host – Denmark! Thanks to such a large, international group, the participants had an amazing opportunity to learn about the cultures of other countries, during cultural evenings and more! Everyone was eager to integrate and was open to new customs and traditions.

The project took place in Ganløse, near Copenhagen, but our participants managed to visit Ahlbeck in Germany and Malmö in Sweden in addition to travelling around Denmark.

Despite language and cultural barriers that might seem like a problem, the participants bonded like never before from the very first day of the project, and the friendships that were made in this short time are sure to last for much longer.

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