In October 2024, a diverse group of youth workers from across Europe gathered in Hurghada, Egypt, for an Erasmus+ training course titled Empowering Youth Work in Entrepreneurship and Environmental Sustainability. The program aimed to connect two essential topics of today’s world—entrepreneurship and environmental care—while giving youth workers practical tools to empower young people toward innovation, responsibility, and sustainable action. Among the participants was a representative of Youth Prague, an NGO from Czechia dedicated to supporting young people in education, creativity, and community engagement. For this participant, the training became a meaningful experience that blended learning, culture, and personal growth.
The Erasmus+ program has always been about building bridges between people, countries, and ideas. This training in Hurghada focused on how entrepreneurship can be used as a force for good, driving not only personal success but also positive environmental and social change. Participants explored methods to guide young people in developing business ideas rooted in sustainability and ethics. Through workshops, discussions, and field visits, the training encouraged participants to rethink the relationship between economy, ecology, and youth empowerment. It was not just about building projects—it was about building mindsets.
Understanding the Local Context in Czechia
Before joining the project, the youth worker from Youth Prague had been working with local communities in Czechia, especially with students and young activists interested in entrepreneurship and environmental action. The Czech Republic, like many countries in Central Europe, has been experiencing a growing interest in sustainability, but also many challenges. Small towns often face limited access to green initiatives or entrepreneurial programs. Young people are aware of global issues such as climate change, but they sometimes lack the tools or confidence to turn their awareness into concrete action.
Another challenge is the growing gap between economic opportunities in cities and rural areas. While urban youth can easily access innovation hubs, training programs, and environmental organizations, young people in smaller communities often feel left out. Many of them want to contribute to a more sustainable future but don’t know where to start. This situation motivated Youth Prague to look for new ideas and methods that could help connect entrepreneurship with sustainability in a way that is inclusive and practical. The Erasmus+ training in Hurghada offered exactly that—a chance to learn how to combine business education with care for the environment and community well-being.
The Training Experience in Hurghada
Arriving in Hurghada, the participant was welcomed by a group of passionate youth workers from across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The warm climate, the Red Sea coast, and the vibrant culture of Egypt created a unique atmosphere for learning and collaboration. From the first day, the program encouraged participants to think outside the box and to see entrepreneurship not just as profit-making but as a way to solve real problems.
Interactive sessions explored topics such as eco-friendly business models, social entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Trainers introduced tools for project-based learning and guided participants through exercises on how to design sustainable initiatives. One of the most eye-opening moments was when participants visited a local environmental organization in Hurghada that worked with young people to clean beaches, recycle plastic, and create art installations from waste materials. This visit showed how environmental entrepreneurship can start small but have a strong impact when the community is involved.
The exchange of ideas between participants from different countries was another highlight of the experience. The youth worker from Youth Prague shared insights about sustainable tourism in Czechia, while others talked about eco-startups and circular economy projects in their countries. These conversations built a sense of solidarity and inspiration. Every participant could see that while their contexts were different, their goals were the same—to create a more conscious, innovative, and responsible generation of young people.
Beyond the workshops, cultural evenings helped everyone connect on a personal level. Through music, traditional food, and storytelling, the group discovered how culture and sustainability can go hand in hand. These moments reminded participants that real change begins with understanding and collaboration across borders.
Turning Learning into Action
After returning to Czechia, the participant from Youth Prague felt motivated to apply the lessons learned in Hurghada. Inspired by the idea of connecting entrepreneurship with environmental action, the NGO launched a new local initiative called Green Minds Hub. The project’s goal was to create a space—both physical and online—where young people could develop eco-friendly business ideas and learn the basics of sustainable entrepreneurship.
The first Green Minds workshops focused on practical skills such as financial planning, marketing for green businesses, and using recycled materials for product design. Participants learned how to turn their creative ideas into small business plans that could benefit both people and the planet. The sessions were interactive and youth-led, encouraging participants to take ownership of their projects.
The NGO also partnered with local schools and environmental organizations to promote sustainability education. Young volunteers helped organize community clean-up events and social media campaigns encouraging responsible consumption. The main message was simple but powerful: entrepreneurship is not just about money; it is about making a difference.
This initiative directly reflected the core values of the Erasmus+ training in Hurghada. It showed how knowledge gained abroad can be adapted to local needs and turned into lasting community action. Youth Prague also started building international partnerships with other organizations met during the project, planning future exchanges and workshops to continue the work started in Egypt.
The Impact on Youth and Community
Within just a few months, Green Minds Hub began to show positive results. Dozens of young people joined the workshops, gaining confidence in their ideas and learning how to make them sustainable. Some participants started developing small local projects—like upcycling workshops, eco-markets, or campaigns promoting waste reduction.
Teachers and local authorities noticed the enthusiasm and creativity of the young participants. They began to support the initiative, offering spaces for workshops and funding small community projects. The collaboration between schools, NGOs, and local businesses became a key part of the program’s success.
The impact went beyond individual skills. The project helped build a new way of thinking among young people in Czechia—one that values responsibility, innovation, and cooperation. It encouraged them to see challenges as opportunities to create positive change. The participant from Youth Prague observed how discussions about environmental protection became more frequent in classrooms and local youth centers, showing that awareness was growing.
Reflection and the Future Vision
Looking back, the experience in Hurghada proved that youth work is one of the most powerful tools for shaping the future. The Erasmus+ project reminded participants that education and empowerment go hand in hand with empathy and environmental care. For the youth worker from Youth Prague, it reinforced the belief that young people have the creativity and courage needed to lead the transition toward a greener economy.
The organization now plans to expand Green Minds Hub into a long-term program that connects youth from different parts of Czechia and beyond. By including digital tools and online mentorship, the project will reach even more young people, especially those living in rural areas.
The story of Empowering Youth Work in Entrepreneurship and Environmental Sustainability is a reminder that meaningful change starts with small steps. When young people are given the tools and trust to innovate, they can create solutions that not only help the planet but also strengthen their communities. The training in Hurghada may have lasted one week, but its lessons continue to grow—like seeds of hope planted in every participant’s heart, ready to bloom into a sustainable future for all.