In February 2023, a youth worker from the North Macedonian NGO ГАМА КПС joined the Erasmus+ training course titled “Target ZERO: Creating Responsible Enterprise.” This project was organized in Benalmádena, Spain, and brought together youth workers from across Europe to learn about green entrepreneurship, sustainable business models, and ways to make a positive impact on the environment through everyday actions. The training was developed as a response to the growing environmental concerns affecting communities worldwide. It focused on helping participants discover how responsible enterprise can support both the planet and the economy, especially when young people take the lead. The project gave youth workers not only knowledge but also motivation to build something meaningful and sustainable back in their home countries.
North Macedonia, like many countries in the Western Balkans, is facing environmental challenges that are becoming more serious every year. Issues such as poor waste management, pollution from old vehicles, and limited recycling efforts are a common part of everyday life. In many towns and villages, the idea of eco-friendly business is still not very well-known or practiced. While young people care about the environment, they often feel that they do not have the tools, support, or opportunities to turn their ideas into action. Before the “Target ZERO” project, discussions about sustainability were mostly kept inside classrooms or university projects, and there was little focus on using entrepreneurship as a tool to solve environmental problems.
Attending the training in Benalmádena was a transformative experience for the youth worker from ГАМА КПС. For the first time, it became clear how green values can be connected with business in a way that is both practical and inspiring. The training introduced participants to the concept of responsible enterprise, which means creating businesses that think about their impact on the environment from the very beginning. Learning how to identify niche market opportunities and build partnerships with local stakeholders was especially useful. These strategies showed that creating change does not always require a large investment—sometimes, what is needed most is creativity, collaboration, and local action.
The program used non-formal education methods such as workshops, group exercises, energizers, and simulation games. These tools made the learning process interactive and helped build strong connections between participants. A highlight of the course was a visit to a small Spanish business that sold eco-friendly products made from recycled materials. The owners shared how they started with just an idea and slowly grew their impact by listening to community needs and staying focused on environmental goals. This example showed that young people from smaller towns or less developed regions can also be leaders in green entrepreneurship if they are given the right support.
After coming back to North Macedonia, the youth worker felt motivated to take the next step. Inspired by the training, they started a project called “Green Roots,” which was designed to introduce high school students and university youth to green entrepreneurship. The idea was to organize a series of workshops where young people could learn about sustainable business models, how to reduce environmental impact, and how to use local resources in creative ways. The sessions were interactive and involved guest speakers from local businesses that were already practicing some form of sustainability. These included a young woman who created handmade soaps without plastic packaging and a group of students who started a bike-sharing initiative in their city.
“Green Roots” was not only educational but also participatory. Students were invited to come up with their own eco-friendly business ideas and present them at a local youth fair. The fair was open to the public and included booths, small exhibitions, and presentations. Many parents, teachers, and community members attended, which helped increase awareness about the role of youth in environmental change. Some of the ideas shared by the young participants included making paper bags from agricultural waste, creating mobile repair services to reduce e-waste, and setting up zero-waste school cafeterias.
The impact of this initiative was visible and long-lasting. Young people started talking more about sustainability not only as a lifestyle but also as a future career path. Several participants continued working on their business ideas even after the workshops ended. Some joined existing local eco-projects, while others applied for youth innovation grants with green proposals. Teachers began requesting the workshop model to be brought to other schools, and local government representatives expressed interest in supporting youth-led environmental initiatives. A local café even offered space for monthly eco-meetups, allowing young people to continue exchanging ideas and working together.
On a community level, the project created new conversations about how North Macedonia can move toward a greener future. While systemic change takes time, initiatives like “Green Roots” show that small actions, when taken seriously, can lead to wider transformation. Youth started to feel less isolated and more connected to a bigger movement happening across Europe. They understood that sustainable development is not just a global goal—it is something they can shape from their own neighborhoods, using their own ideas and energy.
The Erasmus+ training in Spain planted a seed that is now growing across different communities in North Macedonia. It reminded everyone involved that the environment does not need perfect solutions—it needs real people who care, who act, and who are not afraid to try. Thanks to “Target ZERO,” the youth worker from ГАМА КПС became one of those people, and helped others believe that they could be too.
Looking ahead, there are plans to expand “Green Roots” into a youth incubator where young people will receive mentorship, networking opportunities, and small funding support for their green business projects. The long-term goal is to build a national network of youth entrepreneurs who are committed to sustainability and ready to support each other. As more youth in North Macedonia become involved in green entrepreneurship, the future begins to look more hopeful, more inclusive, and more responsible. This journey is just beginning, but it is a powerful example of how youth potential, when connected with the right training and inspiration, can truly lead to change.