In May 2024, a group of youth workers from across Europe gathered in Prague, Czech Republic, for an Erasmus+ training course called “Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development: A Global Perspective.” This international initiative was more than a simple workshop. It was a space for reflection, learning, and creative thinking about how young people can connect the stories of the past to the solutions of the future. Organized by experienced trainers and supported by the Erasmus+ program, the course explored how heritage is not just something to admire in museums, but also something to use when building communities that are inclusive, responsible, and environmentally conscious. For the youth worker from Portugal representing SOPRO - Solidariedade e Promoção ONGD, the experience opened a new door to combining culture with sustainability in a practical and meaningful way.
In Portugal, especially in smaller towns and rural regions, cultural heritage is everywhere. From ancient churches and traditional festivals to local crafts and oral traditions, Portuguese culture is rich and diverse. However, in many communities, this heritage is at risk. Young people are moving to bigger cities or abroad in search of better opportunities, and local traditions are slowly disappearing. At the same time, Portugal faces serious environmental challenges, such as drought, forest fires, and the overuse of natural resources. While many organizations and individuals are working to promote sustainability, the connection between cultural heritage and environmental responsibility is often missing from the conversation. Before the training in Prague, many youth in SOPRO’s network were unsure how local culture could support the goals of a greener future.
The training course in Prague offered a new way of thinking. Participants from different countries shared stories about their communities and their efforts to protect heritage while promoting sustainable practices. For the participant from SOPRO, one of the most powerful moments came during a session that showed how to design projects using both cultural and environmental lenses. The group visited a community that had transformed an old train station into a center for climate education, using recycled materials and storytelling methods to teach children about the environment. Another workshop invited participants to create small project ideas based on cultural mapping, identifying local elements of heritage that could be connected to the Sustainable Development Goals. These activities were simple but deeply inspiring.
After returning to Portugal, the youth worker began planning a new initiative called “Raízes Sustentáveis” (Sustainable Roots). The goal was to engage young people in discovering their local cultural identity while learning about sustainability. The project began with walking tours in small towns of northern Portugal, where elders guided youth through historical sites, shared stories, and explained traditional ways of living that were naturally sustainable. These walks were recorded and turned into short videos, which were later used in schools and youth clubs as discussion starters. Each walk ended with a hands-on workshop—making traditional baskets from local materials, cooking recipes with seasonal ingredients, or learning about herbal remedies.
The next phase of the project focused on action. Young people formed small teams to design and lead their own heritage-based sustainability actions. Some cleaned and restored old wells and fountains, others built community composting areas next to cultural centers, and a few organized festivals celebrating traditional crafts and songs with an ecological theme. All activities were documented and shared online, creating a sense of pride and visibility. Local municipalities and schools began offering support, and some elders who had been quiet before became active storytellers and mentors.
The impact of “Raízes Sustentáveis” grew quickly. Young people reported feeling more connected to their local identity and more motivated to protect the environment. Teachers said the videos helped bring abstract topics like sustainability into real life. Local councils saw the project as a positive way to involve youth in community planning. The project also built bridges between generations, creating new friendships and conversations between people who normally lived in different social circles. For SOPRO, the project was a turning point—it showed that heritage could be a key to inclusion, participation, and long-term development.
Beyond the immediate community, the project became an example for other organizations in Portugal. SOPRO created a simple guidebook with tips on how to combine heritage walks, storytelling, and sustainability workshops. They also translated some materials into English and shared them with partners from the Erasmus+ course in Prague. Some of these partners wrote back with their own ideas and adaptations, showing how one small project can inspire a whole network of positive action.
Looking ahead, SOPRO plans to expand “Raízes Sustentáveis” into other regions of Portugal, especially in areas where cultural traditions are fading and youth feel disconnected. The organization wants to work more with schools, municipalities, and other NGOs to build a national network of cultural sustainability leaders. The dream is to create a future where culture is not only preserved but lived in a way that supports harmony with nature. The hope is that more young people will find their place, not by leaving their roots behind, but by growing new ideas from them.
The Erasmus+ experience in Prague was more than a training—it was a spark. It reminded participants that culture is not just a memory. It is a tool. A tool that can build confidence, creativity, and connection. And when used with care, this tool can shape a better, fairer, and greener future for everyone. Through projects like “Raízes Sustentáveis,” young people in Portugal are not only remembering where they come from. They are building where they want to go.