In May 2023, youth workers from Italy joined an international Erasmus+ training course titled Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development in Island Communities, held on Guadeloupe Island. This unique project brought together young changemakers from Europe and the Caribbean, offering them a platform to share ideas, learn about sustainability practices, and reflect on the environmental issues facing their home countries. The setting—an island deeply connected to nature but also facing modern environmental threats—made the experience even more meaningful. For the Italian team from Associazione Minerva, this opportunity came at a time when their country was facing growing pressure to balance economic development with environmental care.
Back in Italy, the situation in May 2023 was complex. While the country had made some progress in green energy and recycling, many challenges remained—especially in smaller towns and southern regions. Youth unemployment was high, especially in places like Sicily and Calabria, and many young people felt disconnected from the ideas of sustainability or green innovation. Urban areas were struggling with waste management, while rural communities were dealing with land degradation and water scarcity. In cities, fast development often came with the cost of lost green areas, poor air quality, and noise pollution. In some places, illegal waste dumping was still a serious problem.
At the same time, there was a gap in education and communication. Environmental education in schools existed but was often limited to theory. Many young people said they didn’t feel part of the green movement because they didn’t see how it related to their everyday lives. Initiatives about sustainability were often seen as something far away—either for scientists or big cities, not for their towns or their futures. This created a divide between national goals and local reality.
The training in Guadeloupe changed this perception. Participants were introduced to real-life examples of sustainable development carried out by ordinary people—young fishermen protecting marine areas, families turning rooftops into gardens, schools teaching sustainability through action instead of books. It was surprising and inspiring to see how island communities with limited resources were finding smart, small-scale solutions to protect their environment. What impressed the Italian team most was the way local identity and sustainability worked together. In Guadeloupe, protecting the environment was not a separate task—it was part of the community’s culture.
Another important moment came during the group exchanges. Talking to participants from other European countries helped the Italian team see their national issues from new angles. It also made them realize how much could be achieved through cooperation. The informal sessions, where participants shared tools, case studies, and small successes, were often the most memorable. These moments sparked new ideas and gave the Italian group a sense of hope that sustainable development was not just a policy word—it could be a way of life.
Returning to Italy, the team from Associazione Minerva felt motivated to create a project that combined the values of sustainability with the needs of their local youth. They called it Terra Giovane, which means “Young Earth” in Italian. The idea was to create a hands-on program that would help young people become active players in sustainable development in their own communities. Instead of lectures or online courses, the focus was on real action: creating urban gardens, learning composting, organizing repair workshops, and reconnecting with local traditions that respected nature.
The first pilot was launched in a small town in central Italy, where Minerva had already worked with local schools and youth centers. The project invited unemployed young people and school students to join a four-month program combining practical green skills with community service. Each group worked on a local challenge—for example, creating a vegetable garden at a public school, helping families separate waste more effectively, or building a simple irrigation system from reused materials.
The results were quickly visible. Participants developed practical skills but also gained self-confidence. They said that working on something meaningful helped them feel proud of their contribution. Local residents started to support the initiative, offering tools, space, and even helping hands. In some cases, elderly citizens taught traditional skills like making natural fertilizer or planting according to the moon calendar—showing how sustainable practices can also be cultural heritage.
Terra Giovane soon expanded to more towns, and Associazione Minerva created a simple toolkit to help other communities start similar activities. The project received attention from regional authorities, and some municipalities showed interest in integrating it into their youth strategies. Teachers also requested training, so they could include hands-on sustainability lessons in their classrooms. One of the most encouraging outcomes was that some former participants started their own eco-projects independently. One group began a monthly clothes-swap event to fight fast fashion, while another started selling herbs grown in their school garden at the local market.
What made the project special was not only its environmental impact, but its human one. Young people who had felt excluded or unsure of their role in society discovered they could make a difference. They learned that sustainable development is not just about new technology—it is also about relationships, respect, and responsibility. It helped bring communities together, connecting generations and reminding everyone that a healthy future is a shared task.
Looking ahead, the team at Associazione Minerva believes that small, local actions can be the building blocks of big change. Youth engagement is key—not only because young people bring energy and new ideas, but because they are the ones who will live with the decisions made today. By giving them the tools, the space, and the support to act, society invests in a better future.
The experience in Guadeloupe gave the Italian team more than inspiration—it gave them a clear sense of direction. It showed them that sustainable development is not just a global goal but a personal and local mission. From island villages to mountain towns, the same principle applies: when young people lead with purpose, creativity, and care for the world around them, the path to sustainability becomes stronger—and more hopeful—for everyone.