In February 2023, a youth worker representing the Romanian NGO “Go Over All Limits” took part in the Erasmus+ training course “Target ZERO: Creating Responsible Enterprise,” held in Benalmádena, Spain. This international project was created in response to rising environmental concerns across Europe and beyond. With the world facing urgent ecological challenges, the project aimed to give youth workers the tools and confidence to inspire young people to think differently about business and sustainability. It focused on green entrepreneurship, offering practical methods to help communities build environmentally friendly business models that contribute to long-term development and climate protection.
Romania, like many countries in Eastern Europe, has been navigating a period of environmental transition. Although some progress has been made in the last years, issues such as poor waste management, lack of recycling infrastructure, air and water pollution, and limited awareness about sustainability remain widespread. In smaller towns and rural areas especially, the concept of green entrepreneurship is still new and often misunderstood. Many young people in Romania feel disconnected from environmental decision-making, and entrepreneurship is sometimes viewed as too risky or too difficult without support. Before the project in Benalmádena, there were few opportunities in the youth field to combine eco-consciousness with business skills in a practical and empowering way.
The Erasmus+ training came at the perfect time. It offered a unique space for youth workers from different countries to connect, learn, and exchange good practices on how to build greener futures through entrepreneurship. The experience in Spain was not only educational but deeply motivating. Participants were introduced to the basics of sustainable enterprise, exploring how small changes in production, packaging, or partnerships could lead to meaningful environmental improvements. One of the most eye-opening parts of the training was the exploration of stakeholder engagement. Learning how to map out community partners and build strong collaborations helped the Romanian youth worker think differently about project planning. This idea was especially powerful, as many green initiatives in Romania struggle to find long-term support or recognition.
Workshops were designed using non-formal education techniques that made the learning process engaging and practical. Role-playing games, simulations, and interactive discussions created a strong sense of connection among the participants. A memorable session involved designing an eco-friendly business from scratch, focusing on its environmental impact, community involvement, and financial model. This hands-on approach made participants feel that they could actually create something real and valuable. Another highlight was the local study visit, where a small cooperative of entrepreneurs shared their stories about creating eco-responsible products with limited resources. These personal examples showed that green businesses are not only for large cities or wealthy investors—they can also grow in smaller towns with enough will and creativity.
After returning home to Romania, the youth worker from Go Over All Limits felt inspired to take action. Building on the skills and motivation gained in Spain, they developed a new educational initiative called “Green Spark.” This program was designed for Romanian youth aged 16 to 25 and focused on teaching them how to design their own small green businesses. “Green Spark” started with a pilot program in a high school in a medium-sized town. Over a period of four weeks, participants met weekly for creative sessions where they explored eco-friendly ideas, learned about sustainability, and practiced business planning. Local mentors, including a young farmer practicing permaculture and a woman producing zero-waste cosmetics, were invited to speak. These sessions helped connect young people with real-life role models and make sustainability more relatable.
The project quickly gained attention. Participants shared their work on social media, and local media outlets published short interviews with them. Teachers began asking if the project could be expanded to other schools, and local NGOs reached out to offer collaboration. More importantly, the young people involved began to change their mindset. They started to look at problems as opportunities. Some wanted to start community gardens, others dreamed of opening second-hand clothing stores or creating workshops for reusable household items. Many said it was the first time they had seriously thought about connecting the environment with their career plans.
The wider impact of “Green Spark” was not only seen in the students, but also in the community. The town council showed interest in promoting more sustainable initiatives, and discussions started about how to include green entrepreneurship into local youth policies. A small group of participants from the first edition began working on a grant application to fund a youth-led eco-market where only sustainable products could be sold. Although this was still in early stages, it showed that the seeds of green change were beginning to grow in a very real way.
This story is an example of how international training can lead to local transformation. “Target ZERO” gave the Romanian youth worker more than knowledge—it gave vision, energy, and a network of like-minded changemakers. It reminded everyone involved that change does not always come from big systems. Often, it starts with a conversation, a workshop, a shared idea between people who care about the planet. For many young people in Romania, the project opened a new path. It made green business feel possible, not just idealistic. It gave them the language and courage to talk about sustainability in their families, schools, and friend groups.
The long-term dream is to grow “Green Spark” into a national program, reaching more young people from both rural and urban areas. With continued support from Erasmus+ and the dedicated efforts of NGOs like Go Over All Limits, there is strong hope that this dream will become reality. Youth are ready to take the lead, but they need platforms, mentors, and encouragement to do so. By offering practical tools and real stories of success, projects like “Target ZERO” are helping to shape a generation that does not just want a better future—but is already working for it.