In March 2023, a life-changing Erasmus+ project titled “Way to Go Against Climate Change” gathered youth workers from across Europe and beyond to the stunning Réunion Island in France. The aim was to empower young professionals working with youth to better understand the urgent threat of climate change and its long-term effects on future generations. The project placed a strong focus on the role of human activity in accelerating environmental issues and promoted intergenerational justice as a principle of responsibility. Participants came together not only to learn about environmental crises but also to exchange ideas, practices, and experiences on how youth work can become a key force in the fight for a sustainable future. The training was about building awareness, but also about inspiring concrete actions that could bring real change to communities across Europe and overseas.
In Réunion Island, the effects of environmental problems are already visible. This overseas French region is known for its rich biodiversity and unique natural landscapes, but these are threatened by rising temperatures, waste pollution, water shortages, and increased pressure from tourism. Local communities have long struggled with balancing economic development and nature preservation. Many young people in the area are aware of the beauty of their island, yet do not always feel connected to the environmental decisions being made. This disconnect between policy and personal responsibility was one of the challenges identified by the team from the local NGO, Le Coeur Des Mascareignes. Before the project, they had noticed that youth in rural or coastal communities often lacked information about climate change or opportunities to be involved in protecting their environment.
The training experience in Réunion Island gave participants a new way of seeing the climate crisis. It was not just about statistics or theories, but about stories, emotions, and relationships. Each activity was designed to be interactive, human-centered, and empowering. Through energizers, debates, small group work, and creative presentations, participants explored the causes and effects of climate change, the role of human actions, and the importance of speaking up for justice. What stood out most was the concept of intergenerational justice—the understanding that today's youth will live with the consequences of yesterday's decisions, and that their voices must be heard now to shape a fairer tomorrow.
Learning alongside youth workers from countries such as Italy, Germany, and Romania, the team from Le Coeur Des Mascareignes was inspired by how different communities engage with environmental education. Some shared successful models of youth-led initiatives, like school garden projects or community recycling stations. Others brought ideas about climate storytelling and using social media as a tool for awareness. Local environmental organizations in Réunion also presented their own methods, such as protecting marine life, fighting plastic waste on beaches, and teaching young children through outdoor experiences. These examples opened new ways of thinking and showed that meaningful environmental education can take many forms, as long as it starts with people and their stories.
After the project, Le Coeur Des Mascareignes knew that this energy could not stop in the training room. They created a new local initiative called “Green Future Circles,” a program designed to involve young people in environmental awareness, action, and leadership. The idea was simple but powerful: bring together small groups of youth in different villages and neighborhoods to talk about climate issues, learn from each other, and create their own micro-projects. Each circle focused on a different topic—water use, forest protection, waste reduction, or food sustainability—and developed a plan based on the specific needs of their area.
The Green Future Circles were led by young volunteers who had been part of previous activities by the NGO. These youth facilitators were trained using methods learned during the Erasmus+ project, including reflection groups, storytelling games, and creative tasks. They helped guide conversations, build trust in the group, and connect learning with action. For example, one circle in a coastal town decided to map plastic pollution spots on their local beach and created awareness posters to place near the entrance. Another group organized a composting workshop with the help of a local farmer. One team started collecting rainwater at home and encouraged others in their community to do the same.
These small actions had a big impact. Youth felt that their ideas were respected and that they were contributing to something meaningful. Parents and teachers began to take notice and supported the efforts of the young people. Local authorities were invited to listen to the ideas of the Green Future Circles, and some even offered help with logistics or space. The media covered the story of the project, bringing more visibility to the voices of young people. But perhaps the most important result was the change in mindset—participants began to see themselves not only as individuals but as part of a generation that can lead with responsibility and compassion.
For Le Coeur Des Mascareignes, the Green Future Circles became a turning point. The project helped the NGO expand its vision and include environmental education as a permanent part of its youth work strategy. More partnerships were built with schools, environmental NGOs, and regional institutions. Workshops from the Green Future Circles were shared with other youth groups, and new funding opportunities were explored to continue the program. The lessons learned in the Erasmus+ training were not only remembered—they were lived, shared, and adapted to the realities of Réunion Island.
Looking into the future, the journey continues. Climate change remains a major challenge for the world, and especially for small and vulnerable regions like Réunion. But hope grows where action begins. When young people are given space, trust, and tools, they can rise as leaders. Their energy, creativity, and love for their land are powerful forces for change. Green Future Circles may be small, but they are seeds of a bigger dream—a society where environmental care is part of everyday life, and where young people are not only the future but the present builders of that better world.
Youth work must continue to adapt, to listen, and to grow alongside the needs of our time. Programs like “Way to Go Against Climate Change” show that learning does not end at the edge of a classroom. It happens in the forest, on the beach, in circles of conversation, and in the eyes of young people who decide to act. As more and more youth take these steps, together, a more just, responsible, and green future becomes possible.