In May 2023, a group of youth workers from Italy took part in the Erasmus+ training course Gender-Driven Sustainability, held in Benalmádena, Spain. The international project focused on the important connection between gender equality and sustainable development, aiming to give youth workers new skills, tools, and perspectives to support gender-responsive climate action in their own countries. Participants came from all over Europe and shared their experiences, learned from local and international best practices, and explored the deeper meanings of fairness, access, and sustainability. For the Italian team from Associazione RUANA, the training brought a fresh understanding of how diversity and inclusion are essential elements in the path toward a greener future.
In Italy, youth work has always played an important role in supporting young people to become active and responsible citizens. However, in May 2023, many youth workers continued to face difficulties when it came to addressing gender inclusion in environmental and civic projects. In rural areas and small towns, young women and gender-diverse youth were often underrepresented in leadership activities or sustainability initiatives. Climate action was becoming more popular in urban areas, but it still lacked an inclusive approach. Many young people from migrant families, LGBTQ+ backgrounds, or disadvantaged neighborhoods felt disconnected from the green movement. Even when they cared about the environment, they didn’t always see space for themselves to participate or lead. In some communities, traditional gender roles and stereotypes made it even harder for girls and young women to take visible roles in youth-led projects.
Associazione RUANA had been working with young people from diverse backgrounds for several years, but the connection between gender and environmental issues had not been fully explored in their programs. The training course in Benalmádena changed that. During the course, the Italian team joined group sessions, discussions, and field visits where they saw how other organizations integrated gender inclusion into climate work. They listened to inspiring stories from youth leaders who had created green spaces led by girls in their neighborhoods or started small businesses focused on eco-fashion with gender-equal teams. They also learned how even small actions—like using inclusive language, ensuring equal speaking time, or designing flexible participation formats—can make a big difference in how welcome people feel in a project.
One of the most surprising parts of the experience was the realization that environmental justice and social justice are part of the same conversation. It became clear that climate change affects people differently depending on their gender, economic status, and social identity. In some parts of the world, women and girls face greater risks during climate disasters or are left out of rebuilding efforts. Even in European countries like Italy, young people from minority groups often live in areas with fewer green spaces or higher pollution. Understanding this helped the Italian team connect their existing youth work on inclusion to new goals for sustainability. The project gave them a new direction: to bring gender-aware climate education and inclusive action together.
After returning to Italy, Associazione RUANA launched a new initiative called Futuro per Tutti, meaning “Future for All.” The goal was to involve more young people from underrepresented backgrounds in environmental activities and make sure that gender diversity was seen, respected, and celebrated in all aspects of the work. The project began in a local youth center, where a series of workshops invited young people to explore their ideas about nature, fairness, identity, and leadership. These sessions used creative tools like photography, storytelling, and cooperative games to allow every participant to share their perspective in a safe space.
The activities soon expanded. Participants planned and led small community actions like neighborhood clean-ups, art exhibitions with recycled materials, and social media campaigns showing “green heroes” from all genders and cultures. One powerful moment came when a group of young people painted a large mural in their town, showing the Earth surrounded by hands of different colors, shapes, and symbols. The message was simple but strong: the planet belongs to everyone, and everyone must be included in the work to protect it.
Futuro per Tutti also offered special workshops for local educators and youth workers. These sessions focused on how to include intersectional thinking in everyday youth work, how to spot hidden barriers in project design, and how to support the leadership of young people who may have fewer opportunities. This part of the project helped strengthen the network of professionals working with youth across the region and gave them confidence to address gender and diversity issues more directly.
As the project grew, it attracted attention from local authorities and media. The town council offered support for a youth-led climate and inclusion festival, where local groups could present their eco-friendly ideas and celebrate diversity in public. Schools began inviting RUANA’s team to deliver gender-inclusive sustainability workshops in classrooms. Some youth participants from the early sessions became mentors for new groups, showing that change was not only possible—it could grow from within.
The impact of the project could be seen not only in activities but in the attitudes of the young people involved. Many reported feeling more confident to speak out, to lead, or to suggest new ideas. Girls who had never imagined themselves in leadership roles started coordinating meetings and giving interviews. Boys reflected more openly about gender roles and inclusion. Migrant youth felt proud to bring their environmental traditions and stories into the space. The project became a shared journey, where different identities and experiences became a strength, not a barrier.
The training in Benalmádena played a key role in starting this transformation. It gave the Italian team not just knowledge, but a deeper understanding of the power of inclusive youth work. It reminded them that youth participation is not only about giving space—it’s about creating space where everyone feels they belong and can contribute.
Looking forward, Associazione RUANA plans to expand Futuro per Tutti into new regions and connect with more organizations across Europe. They hope to inspire others to see that inclusion and sustainability are not two separate goals, but part of one mission to build a more just and caring society. The project taught them that even in communities where change feels slow or difficult, youth have the ability to lead when they are trusted, encouraged, and heard.
The future of the planet depends on the future of young people. And the future of young people depends on being seen, respected, and included. Through projects like this, and with continued cooperation across borders, youth workers can help build a generation that is ready to care for the Earth—and for each other.