In February 2023, a group of dedicated youth workers from across Europe came together in Benalmádena, Spain, for an Erasmus+ training course called “Target ZERO: Creating Responsible Enterprise.” This initiative aimed to empower participants with the knowledge, tools, and motivation needed to support young people in building sustainable, eco-conscious enterprises. The training was born from a growing need to respond to the environmental challenges faced globally and locally. Through this international program, youth workers explored practical strategies for developing green business ideas, learned how to engage communities through responsible entrepreneurship, and connected with like-minded changemakers who were eager to act.
In Spain, environmental awareness has increased over the years, but many challenges still remain. In some regions, fast consumption habits and pollution continue to grow, while awareness campaigns do not always reach the most affected groups. Urban areas, for example, often suffer from poor air quality, traffic congestion, and waste management problems. In smaller towns and rural zones, young people may feel disconnected from sustainability discussions or lack access to green opportunities. Before attending the project, the youth worker from Asociación PROJUVEN observed how many young people in their local area were passionate about protecting the planet, yet unsure of how to make their ideas real. Many of them were looking for creative ways to reduce their impact on the environment but felt overwhelmed by the complexity of the topic or the lack of clear support systems.
The experience in Benalmádena was a turning point. From the very first day, the training created a space of inspiration, learning, and shared action. Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of green entrepreneurship through hands-on activities and interactive discussions. They learned how sustainable business models work, how to explore green market opportunities, and how to identify new ways to reduce environmental impact through small, everyday actions. What stood out the most was the way the training mixed education with creativity. Energizing games, practical simulations, and team challenges made learning enjoyable and memorable. Everyone brought something unique from their home country, and this cultural mix became a powerful part of the learning journey.
One of the most meaningful parts of the program was discovering how local communities in Spain were already applying green solutions. Participants visited an eco-market that showcased local farmers and small producers who used sustainable farming methods and zero-waste packaging. Another visit involved a youth-run cooperative that transformed plastic waste into colorful street furniture. These examples helped participants see that even small initiatives, when supported by local communities, could have a wide and lasting impact. It became clear that green entrepreneurship was not only about profit, but about responsibility, creativity, and care for people and the planet.
After returning to their home city, the youth worker from Asociación PROJUVEN felt energized to put the learning into action. The training had sparked a strong desire to make green entrepreneurship more accessible to the local youth. This led to the development of a project called “Eco Minds Lab,” a series of weekly workshops aimed at helping young people explore their own eco-friendly ideas and turn them into concrete mini-projects. Each session focused on a different theme, such as reducing plastic use, creating natural products, or promoting local food systems. Participants were encouraged to think about how their everyday choices could be transformed into small-scale enterprises with social and environmental value.
The workshops were designed to be open, inclusive, and hands-on. Many of the methods used during “Target ZERO” were adapted to the local context, especially the non-formal education techniques like reflection groups, storytelling, and energizers. The youth worker also invited local entrepreneurs and environmental activists to share their experiences, hoping to build a bridge between the ideas of young people and the realities of business. As the workshops progressed, participants started to build confidence in their ideas. One group created a campaign promoting reusable cloth bags made by hand from recycled fabrics. Another developed a small service to collect food waste from local homes and use it for urban gardening compost.
The effects of “Eco Minds Lab” began to ripple outwards. Youth who had never considered entrepreneurship as a path suddenly saw it as a way to make a difference. Teachers from nearby schools requested to include the workshops in their extracurricular activities. The municipality expressed interest in supporting some of the projects through local funding. Most importantly, the initiative began changing how young people viewed their role in environmental change—not as passive observers but as active creators of a better future. Some participants shared how their families also started changing habits after hearing about the workshops. For instance, parents became more careful about sorting waste or buying second-hand items instead of new ones.
The experience also helped Asociación PROJUVEN expand its impact. The organization realized that mixing entrepreneurship with environmental education created new opportunities for engagement. By using simple, real-life examples and giving space for creativity, they could reach more young people—including those who often felt excluded from formal educational or business networks. The experience showed that sustainable development could be more than a distant concept. It could be something young people design with their own hands, using local resources and shared knowledge.
Looking to the future, the youth worker from Asociación PROJUVEN believes that the real power of programs like “Target ZERO” is their ability to inspire long-term change. Sustainable development is not just a topic for experts or politicians. It is a movement that starts in homes, classrooms, and youth clubs. When young people are given the space, tools, and support to explore their values and ideas, they become the leaders of transformation. They begin to ask new questions, imagine better solutions, and motivate others to follow. The world today needs brave, creative, and responsible minds—and these minds are already growing in local communities, waiting for their chance to act. Through programs like Erasmus+ and the daily work of youth organizations, the future is slowly becoming greener, one project at a time.