From play to action: Sustainability for youth

<< Background >>The project aimed to collect and share best practices from previous initiatives while expanding their reach to new countries, engaging more young people across Europe. At the same time, it introduced innovative tools to help young people turn their climate knowledge into concrete sustainability actions. Additionally, it developed methods and resources for teachers and youth workers in global citizenship education. There is a strong need for accessible materials on climate change, sustainable consumption, circular economy, and climate justice. Local curriculums highlight the importance of integrating global citizenship into education, and youth work must also address these themes. While young people are aware of climate issues, they need practical tools to take action, which was a key project goal. Teachers and youth workers also require support in incorporating global citizenship education into their work. Reaching educators meant a wider impact on young people. A European approach was essential, as these challenges affect all countries. By collaborating across borders, the project fostered diverse perspectives and reinforced collective efforts toward a sustainable future.<< Objectives >>The objective of this project was to amplify the reach of high-quality gamified materials on sustainable consumption and circular economy and to raise awareness among young people about sustainability, creating more behavioral change towards a sustainable future. Partners wanted to foster active citizenship and promote creativity and entrepreneurship, especially among young people. They also aimed to create practical and functional materials for teachers and youth workers that were easy to use and adapt to local contexts. The objective was to generate materials that contributed to formal education curriculums and met the needs of those working with young people. By the end of the project period, the participating organizations had strengthened their local and global networks and learned new ways that their employees could contribute to global citizenship education.<< Implementation >>WP2The Erasmus+ GeT game was adapted into Polish and Irish versions. Partners compiled an initial report on best practices in sustainability, climate justice, and gamification through focus groups with experts, teachers, and youth workers, as well as desk research. The report was translated, published online, and given a uniform graphic design.WP3Building on the report, partners developed a manual and workshop concept for young people on sustainability acts. Young people contributed to enhance effectiveness. The workshop was tested, refined, and implemented in partner countries. The manual and workshop were designed, translated, and published.WP4Similarly, a manual and “training for trainers” workshop were created for teachers and youth workers. After testing, modifications were made. Materials were designed, translated, published, and workshops were conducted across partner countries.WP5A project-wide graphic design, including the logo, was created. Communications, social media strategies, and dissemination events were developed and implemented. Partners also hosted country-specific dissemination events and set a baseline framework.Other ActivitiesThree project meetings were held in Finland, Spain, and Ireland.<< Results >>-Through new language versions and dissemination activities, a board game on sustainable production and consumption developed by European youth NGOs was widely used by young people in different countries. -Young people participated in workshops that dealt with sustainability acts. Almost 90% of participants found the workshops useful and gained new knowledge. 60% of participants gained knowledge to create concrete sustainability acts and 50% will take part in civic society after the workshop.-Young people had access to a toolkit on how they could create sustainability acts, especially dealing with sustainable consumption and circular economy. - Teachers and youth workers participated in training on how to help young people create acts for sustainability. The participants of the workshops learned new things about climate change, sustainable consumption, circular economy, and climate justice. Almost all the participants gained knowledge creating concrete sustainability acts and will use the project materials in their work.- Teachers and youth workers had access to a manual on how to create sustainability acts utilizing gamification.