In January 2025, youth workers from different European countries came together in the beautiful natural environment of Réunion Island for an Erasmus+ project titled “Youth Work in Environmental Education and Sustainable Development.” The project aimed to give youth workers new skills and ideas to promote environmental protection, eco-responsibility, and sustainable living. The training combined practical field experience with theory-based sessions. Its goal was to prepare participants to lead educational programs in their home countries that focus on nature conservation, digital responsibility, and healthy community life.
Before joining this project, many communities in Italy, especially in rural and small urban areas, were already facing growing environmental concerns. Air pollution, waste mismanagement, and limited climate education were becoming more visible. Young people were spending more time online, often unaware of how their digital behavior could impact not only their mental well-being but also their attitude toward the environment. Many schools lacked resources for environmental education, and youth work initiatives were not always connected to climate topics. The local organization Terra Dulcis had long worked on promoting green values, but there was a strong need to integrate sustainability with digital responsibility in youth work. Before the training, it was also clear that more action was needed to prevent cyberbullying, misinformation, and negative online behavior, especially among teenagers.
The experience on Réunion Island changed many things. It was more than just a learning event—it was a full journey into a new way of thinking. The course began with exploring the island's ecosystems, guided by local experts who showed how biodiversity can be protected through community-based actions. Visits to conservation areas gave participants a deeper understanding of what it means to live in harmony with nature. The group also spent time with local youth organizations that were implementing projects like school gardens, plastic-free events, and youth-led beach clean-ups. Seeing these activities live gave everyone practical ideas for what could be possible back home.
One of the most interesting parts of the training was how it connected environmental education with digital safety and responsibility. Participants discussed how today’s youth are constantly influenced by what they see online and how this affects their relationship with the environment. The trainers used interactive methods such as simulation games, role-plays, and group reflections to show how safe and supportive digital environments can help promote positive behavior. These sessions helped participants better understand how to design educational experiences that address both environmental and digital challenges at the same time.
After returning to Italy, the youth worker from Terra Dulcis felt inspired to create a local initiative called “Green Web Academy.” This program brought together young people from the area in a series of workshops that combined two main goals: learning about environmental sustainability and improving digital behavior. The workshops started with hands-on activities like planting trees, making eco-friendly crafts, and visiting local recycling centers. Then, in the same sessions, the youth also explored topics like cyberbullying prevention, digital identity, and how to use social media to spread green messages. This double focus helped the young participants understand that being responsible in the real world and in the digital world go hand in hand.
“Green Web Academy” grew quickly. Local schools and parents were happy to support the project, and many young people signed up to join. The sessions used creative and interactive tools to keep the youth engaged. They created videos, posters, and social media campaigns focused on environmental messages, while also learning how to stay safe online. Peer-to-peer education became an important method—young participants started leading parts of the sessions and helping each other reflect on both climate and online behavior.
The results were visible in just a few months. Students began to show more interest in environmental activities in their schools. Some even created eco-clubs that continued the work started in the workshops. Teachers reported that the participants were more respectful, more motivated to take part in community service, and more aware of their role in creating change. On the digital side, the young people who took part became more mindful of what they post online. They started calling out harmful behavior like bullying or misinformation and promoting a more positive tone on social media.
The project also opened new opportunities for collaboration. Terra Dulcis partnered with other NGOs and local government departments to expand the program to other towns. Thanks to the credibility and structure gained from the Erasmus+ experience in Réunion, the organization was also able to apply for new funding to keep the project running in the future. Other youth workers who had not participated in the original training also joined the local version of the program, spreading its influence further.
Reflecting on this journey, it is clear that youth work today must evolve to respond to modern realities. Environmental issues cannot be separated from digital life, and education must adapt to this connection. The Erasmus+ training helped create a mindset of balance—between nature and technology, local and global, knowledge and action. The young people involved in the “Green Web Academy” project discovered not only how to care for the Earth, but also how to care for one another and for the communities they live in.
Youth have an incredible power to imagine, create, and lead. When they are guided by strong values and supported by open-minded educators, they can transform not only their own futures but the future of the planet. The project in Réunion Island planted seeds of hope and motivation, and those seeds are now growing in Italy, thanks to the dedication of youth workers like those from Terra Dulcis. The long-term vision is clear: connected, confident, and compassionate youth who are ready to build inclusive, sustainable communities that care for both the environment and human dignity.