In October 2023, a special Erasmus+ training took place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, called “Climate and Displacement: Building Euro-Arab Bridges.” This international project brought together youth workers from Europe and the Arab region to talk, learn, and work together on the serious connection between climate change and forced migration. The idea of the project was to explore how environmental problems like rising sea levels, floods, and droughts are forcing more and more people to leave their homes. It also wanted to give young people the knowledge and skills to become active voices in their communities and help others better understand the human side of climate displacement.
In Armenia, environmental challenges are becoming more visible every year. Winters are getting shorter and warmer, while summers are longer and drier. In recent years, several villages in the south have suffered from droughts that damaged harvests and pushed some families to move to the city in search of jobs and stability. At the same time, other regions have faced sudden floods and landslides caused by intense rains and melting snow. For a country with many mountains and a large rural population, these changes are deeply worrying. Many people are still unaware of how closely connected these environmental problems are to global climate shifts. Before joining the training in Egypt, climate change was often seen in Armenia as a distant issue, something that only experts or international organizations talked about. The topic of displacement was mostly related to political conflict, and not many young people had ever thought about climate as a cause of migration.
The training course in Sharm El-Sheikh opened a new door to learning and reflection. It created a space where participants from very different backgrounds could meet and share stories. Through games, discussions, and presentations, the group learned about how rising sea levels in coastal countries and desertification in others were affecting local people and pushing them to migrate. One part of the program focused on visiting a community project that supported young people to start green initiatives in their own neighborhoods. This showed that even small local actions could bring real change. The training also used storytelling to show the emotional side of climate-induced migration. Youth workers from different countries told stories of people they knew who had to leave their homes because the land could no longer support them. These personal experiences helped build understanding and empathy between participants.
One of the most interesting parts of the training was the workshop on policy analysis. Many participants, including those from Armenia, learned how to read and understand government policies related to climate change and migration. This was something new for many, and it showed how young people could also have a voice in decision-making. Another strong part of the program was the focus on Euro-Arab dialogue. Participants found many common points between their regions, such as challenges with water, food, and energy. They also discovered that cultural exchange helped create friendships and trust, which made it easier to work together on shared goals.
After returning to Armenia, the youth worker from Copernicus Yerevan felt inspired to take action. With support from the NGO, a local initiative was started to bring the topic of climate-induced displacement into youth spaces. A small group of volunteers visited schools and youth centers in Yerevan and nearby villages. They used simple language and personal stories to explain how climate change is affecting people not only around the world but also in Armenia. One of the workshops involved students drawing maps of their own communities and thinking about which places might be at risk in the future due to environmental changes. The students also talked about where people might go if they could no longer live in those areas. This activity helped connect global knowledge to local understanding.
In addition to the workshops, the team prepared a short educational video with Armenian subtitles. It showed scenes from the training in Egypt, interviews with participants, and examples of youth-led projects from different countries. This video was shared on social media and quickly reached a wide audience. Teachers, students, and even local environmental activists showed interest in using it for discussions and future trainings.
The impact of the initiative has been growing. Young people who took part in the activities started asking more questions and doing their own research about local climate problems. Some joined environmental clubs or even started talking to their parents about how to reduce waste and save water at home. The topic of climate-induced migration, which was rarely discussed before, became more present in school debates and community meetings. The local media also took notice and invited the youth worker from Copernicus Yerevan to speak on a radio program about the project in Egypt and its follow-up in Armenia.
This experience showed that change can start with learning, but it grows through connection and local action. The Erasmus+ training did not only give facts and information—it gave tools, ideas, and motivation. It reminded youth workers that their voice matters and that they can create real impact when they work with others. Through storytelling, open dialogue, and hands-on learning, the project showed that the fight against climate displacement needs all of us, especially the youth.
In the future, young people from Armenia and across the world will continue facing new challenges brought by the climate crisis. But they also have new energy, creativity, and solidarity. With support from programs like Erasmus+, they can continue to learn, build bridges between cultures, and take action for more just and sustainable communities. Climate and displacement are complex issues, but they also offer the chance for people to come together, understand each other, and work for a better future. The journey does not end in Egypt. It continues in every village, school, and community where young people decide to care and act.