In May 2023, a team of youth workers from Romania joined the Erasmus+ project Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development in Island Communities, held on Guadeloupe Island in the Caribbean. The project brought together youth professionals from different European and island communities to share experiences, learn about environmental issues, and explore solutions for a more sustainable future. The program created a powerful mix of learning, cultural exchange, and reflection. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the island, the participants felt a strong connection to the land and the sea—and a shared responsibility to protect them. For the Romanian group, representing the NGO Club Faci Sport, this experience brought a new understanding of how sports and healthy living could be linked with environmental change.
In Romania, in May 2023, young people were facing several challenges related to health, environment, and social connection. Many teenagers and children were spending more time indoors, connected to their screens and less to the outdoors. Physical activity was declining, especially in small towns and rural areas where access to sports infrastructure was limited. At the same time, environmental awareness among youth was growing, but practical opportunities to take action were still rare. Young people were interested in climate change and pollution, but often felt unsure about how to make a real difference. Green topics were mostly discussed in school lessons but not experienced in real life. There was also a clear gap between lifestyle habits and environmental thinking—for example, many young people used plastic bottles during training sessions or left trash in nature after hiking events, without fully understanding the impact.
The Romanian team arrived in Guadeloupe with these concerns in mind. During the training course, they were surprised to see how deeply connected environmental values and community life were in island culture. Even simple sports activities, like running events or community football matches, included eco-friendly practices—such as reusable water bottles, group clean-ups, or educational messages. Local youth workers used sport not only to improve health, but also to raise awareness about protecting nature. One local group combined beach volleyball with waste collection, while another invited young athletes to join a project that restored damaged hiking trails. The message was clear: movement and nature can go hand in hand, and sport is a strong tool for communication, inclusion, and action.
The course also gave space for deep conversations between participants from different countries. During informal evenings and working groups, the Romanian team listened to stories from peers who used biking clubs to raise environmental awareness or yoga classes in parks to build community around sustainability. These examples helped them realize that sport is not just about performance—it is about values, and those values can support both personal health and the health of the planet.
Inspired by these experiences, Club Faci Sport decided to launch a new initiative upon returning home, called GreenMoves Romania. This project aimed to connect young people’s love for physical activity with their interest in the environment, using sport as a fun and accessible way to start conversations and actions for change. The first events took place in local parks and schoolyards, where young people joined outdoor fitness classes, bike rides, and nature walks—each with an environmental purpose, such as collecting litter, learning about local trees, or reducing plastic waste.
The program quickly grew, thanks to strong support from schools and parents. In one town, students started organizing monthly “Eco-Runs,” where participants wore second-hand clothes, used recycled water bottles, and stopped at educational stations to answer environmental quizzes. In another community, a football club began collecting old sports equipment for reuse and held matches where each goal scored meant a tree would be planted.
Young people responded with enthusiasm. They said the combination of movement and purpose made them feel more connected to their surroundings. Many reported they had started making small lifestyle changes—walking instead of driving, using refillable bottles, and bringing their own containers to sports events. Teachers noticed that the project improved students’ teamwork, confidence, and motivation. In some schools, the idea of “green sport” became a regular part of health and physical education classes.
One of the most important aspects of the project was the development of local youth leaders. These were young people who showed a passion for both sport and sustainability. With support from Club Faci Sport, they received basic training in facilitation and event planning. Soon, they were organizing their own activities—like “eco challenges” on social media, or small events in their neighborhoods. Their leadership helped expand the project to nearby towns and even inspired youth organizations in other regions.
GreenMoves Romania also caught the attention of local authorities. Some mayors and municipal departments offered to support the project with small funds, access to sports spaces, and publicity. The team at Club Faci Sport used this opportunity to suggest long-term partnerships, with the goal of including environmental goals in public sport programs. Discussions began about installing more recycling bins in parks, improving bike lanes, and including sustainability topics in youth summer camps.
Looking back, the Romanian team believes the training in Guadeloupe gave them the courage and the clarity to build this project. The experience showed that youth work can be flexible, creative, and grounded in real needs. It also reminded them that environmental action does not have to be complicated—it can start with everyday habits, fun activities, and shared values.
The power of sport lies in its ability to bring people together, create energy, and make change feel exciting. When sport is used with a purpose, it becomes more than exercise—it becomes a way to shape a better future. GreenMoves Romania proved that young people are ready to lead this change when they are given trust, space, and support.
Today, Club Faci Sport continues to grow the project, hoping to reach more communities, especially those with fewer resources. They are working on an open-source guide for teachers and youth workers who want to combine sport with environmental education. They also plan to organize an annual Green Sports Festival, where young people from different parts of Romania can share their projects, meet others, and celebrate the idea that health—for people and for the planet—is something we must build together.
The experience in Guadeloupe planted the seed. What grew in Romania is a movement that combines heart, body, and purpose—and shows what happens when young people move together, not just for health, but for the world they want to create.