Sowing the Seeds of Sustainable Agriculture

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 implemented 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 focused on promoting sustainable agriculture, safe food systems, environmental responsibility, and non-formal education. As the Hungarian partner organization, For Renewal Environmental Association actively contributed to the exchange of innovative educational practices while strengthening international cooperation and empowering youth workers to promote sustainability within their local communities.

The programme encouraged participants to explore the relationship between human behaviour and the environment through immersive and experiential learning activities. Interactive simulations and reflection exercises invited participants to view waste from a different perspective, strengthening their understanding of recycling, resource conservation, and the environmental consequences of everyday consumption. By combining storytelling, dramatization, and collaborative discussions, the activities fostered empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation of sustainable living.

Environmental awareness was further reinforced through practical experiences that promoted healthy and eco-friendly lifestyles. Cycling sessions demonstrated how sustainable transportation can reduce carbon emissions while supporting physical and mental well-being. Complementing these activities, participants explored the global climate crisis, discussing its impact on food security, natural resources, and sustainable agriculture. Presentations, visual materials, and open discussions encouraged participants to reflect on practical solutions that individuals and communities can adopt to reduce their environmental footprint.

The project also introduced participants to ecological living through interactive surveys, case studies, and inspiring real-life examples of sustainable lifestyles. Discussions focused on organic food production, responsible consumption, water and energy conservation, and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Creative dissemination activities further transformed these learning experiences into practical outcomes, as participants designed handmade promotional materials using natural resources collected responsibly from the surrounding environment. These collaborative workshops strengthened creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills while preparing participants to share the project's results with wider audiences.

Intercultural exchange remained a central element throughout the mobility, creating opportunities for participants to present their countries' agricultural traditions, environmental challenges, local organic products, and cultural heritage. Traditional dances, local cuisine, and language-sharing activities fostered mutual understanding and strengthened friendships among participants from different backgrounds. Reflection and evaluation sessions allowed youth workers to assess both their personal development and the project's impact, ensuring that the knowledge, skills, and sustainable practices gained during the mobility could be successfully transferred into future youth work initiatives and local environmental actions.