Cultivating Change: Legacy of the Soil for a Sustainable Future

The Erasmus+ Mobility of Youth Workers project "Legacy of the Soil: Sustainable Agriculture and Safe Food" (Project No: 2024-3-ES02-KA153-YOU-000260774) was held in Gijón, Spain, from 28 April to 5 May 2025, under the coordination of Generaciones Saludables España. Bringing together youth workers from Turkey, Spain, Hungary, Poland, and Iceland, the project created an international learning environment focused on sustainable agriculture, safe food systems, and environmental responsibility. As the Hungarian partner organization, For Renewal Environmental Association actively contributed to the exchange of knowledge, good practices, and innovative non-formal education methods while strengthening international cooperation and promoting sustainability in youth work.

The programme began by creating an inclusive and collaborative learning environment where participants became familiar with the project objectives, shared their expectations, and built trust through interactive team-building activities. These sessions encouraged communication, cooperation, and mutual respect, laying the foundation for productive international collaboration and meaningful intercultural dialogue throughout the mobility.

A significant focus of the programme was promoting sustainable lifestyles through environmentally friendly mobility and active participation. Practical cycling activities highlighted the importance of reducing carbon emissions while encouraging healthy daily habits. Participants improved their confidence, coordination, and teamwork as they explored sustainable transportation methods, demonstrating how individual choices can contribute to climate action and more environmentally conscious communities.

The mobility also strengthened participants' understanding of the Erasmus+ Programme and the Youthpass certification process. Through presentations, discussions, and experience sharing, youth workers explored the opportunities offered by Erasmus+, the value of non-formal learning, and the eight key competences recognised by Youthpass. Interactive activities helped participants reflect on their own skills while improving communication, leadership, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving abilities that can be transferred into future youth work practices.

Environmental awareness and sustainable food systems were further explored through self-reflection and evaluation activities. Participants assessed their existing knowledge and attitudes toward healthy nutrition, food safety, climate change, and organic living before engaging in discussions that encouraged critical thinking about sustainable agriculture. Reflection exercises allowed them to analyse their learning process, identify areas for improvement, and develop a deeper understanding of how environmental issues are connected to everyday decisions and community wellbeing.

Intercultural learning remained at the heart of the project as participants shared their countries' agricultural traditions, local food products, environmental challenges, and cultural heritage. Traditional dances, local organic foods, and cultural presentations created opportunities for meaningful dialogue while strengthening intercultural understanding and European cooperation. By combining sustainability, cultural exchange, and experiential learning, the project equipped youth workers with practical methods, increased environmental awareness, and valuable educational tools that they can implement in their own organisations and local communities.