Agent 00Was7e - Licence to Recycle

"<< Background >>Background: Why did you apply for this project? What were the needs you have addressed?Limited awareness of the Circular Economy and the high production of urban waste in Europe, especially in large urban agglomerations, called for proactive youth intervention. The project addressed the need to raise awareness among young people (19-25 years old) from metropolitan areas with diverse waste management situations: from Bitonto (high collection, actual recycling rate could be improved to 50-55%), to Varna (critical management issues, illegal trafficking, and a low recycling rate of 25%), to Stuttgart (an advanced model but with challenges related to reuse). The aim was to address the lack of environmental awareness, the problem of illegal landfills, and the limited dissemination of reuse solutions by visiting exemplary models in Belgium and increasing the perception of common European citizenship.The waste challenges are common, but the solutions and critical issues vary across Europe (from the efficient German system to the illegal trafficking in Bulgaria). Cooperation between partners (Italy, Germany, Bulgaria) was necessary to exchange best practices and address problems jointly, enriching participants with a European perspective<< Objectives >>The primary objective was to raise young people's awareness of waste reduction and the circular economy, developing advocacy and active European citizenship skills for a proactive role in the ecological transition. Specific objectives included gaining an international perspective, exchanging good recycling practices, and strengthening European citizenship awareness through direct exposure to EU policies.Specifically, the aim was to raise awareness of the impact of waste, gain an international perspective on innovative recycling, and strengthen European citizenship awareness through dialogue with EU institutions.<< Implementation >>Implementation was ensured by a governance system and constant monitoring by the lead partner, Ambiente è Vita.The main implementation activities were:- Preliminary analysis and fieldwork: research, mapping, and cleanup of urban microlandfills in the partners' territories.- Online training (webinar): series of training sessions on advocacy and waste management in Europe, including an analysis of illegal trafficking in Varna and the sustainability example of Neckarpark (Stuttgart).- Transnational mobility in Brussels (November 2024): participation in the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), with study visits (Kringwinkel Reuse Center), a visit to the European Parliament, and a meeting with an MEP to discuss environmental policies.- Dissemination and multiplication of results: dissemination of content through integrated communication (over 150 digital pieces of content) and organization of three final multiplier events in Italy, Germany, and Bulgaria.<< Results >>Tangible and measurable results included: increased environmental awareness and civic responsibility (95% of young people reported greater awareness of their active role in the ecological transition); certification of transversal and thematic skills through Youthpass; production of dissemination materials; organization of three public events with over 330 participants; and the formulation and submission of three formal policy proposals to local decision-makers (e.g., the proposal for the ""ReVita"" Reuse Center in Bitonto, welcomed by the Municipality and the waste management company; recommendations to the Deputy Mayor of Varna and the Stuttgart Department of Climate Protection). These results achieved the goal of developing advocacy capacity and generating systemic impact."