In January 2024, a special Erasmus+ training program called “Coastal Unity: Sustainable Solutions in Europe and the Caribbean” brought together youth workers from different parts of the world to Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island. The training focused on climate resilience, sea-level rise, marine pollution, and inclusive economic development in island and coastal regions. Through a combination of local community visits, international workshops, and cross-cultural dialogue, the training gave participants the opportunity to explore how sustainable development can be shaped through youth participation, collaboration, and innovation. For a youth worker from Italy, this experience became a turning point in understanding how environmental challenges affect communities differently—and how to act with purpose.
Before the training, the youth worker had been actively involved in social projects with Associazione Minerva, a community-based NGO working in southern Italy. The organization supports young people through education, creativity, and civic engagement. In recent years, the region has faced several challenges related to environmental sustainability. Rising temperatures, changes in rainfall, and a growing number of wildfires have made climate change more visible. Coastal erosion has affected the southern shores, with some fishing villages noticing significant changes in the sea and local biodiversity. At the same time, unemployment and economic insecurity remain high, especially for young people in small towns.
Although many young Italians are aware of climate issues, they often feel disconnected from the solutions. Climate education in schools is still limited, and youth participation in environmental decision-making is low. Most local projects focus on short-term cleanups or awareness campaigns, but do not go deeper into long-term sustainable development. This creates a feeling of frustration among young people who want to make a difference but are not sure how. Associazione Minerva had already started to build conversations around climate justice and youth activism, but the training in Curaçao opened a new door to international learning and partnership.
Arriving in Curaçao, the youth worker was immediately impressed by the diversity of people and cultures. The island was full of color, life, and nature, but also faced serious climate challenges. Rising sea levels and marine pollution were not just future risks—they were already changing people’s lives. During one community visit, a local youth group presented their project for protecting a mangrove forest. They explained how the mangroves help prevent coastal erosion, provide homes for fish, and reduce the effects of flooding. The project involved schoolchildren, families, and even fishermen. It was simple but powerful, and it showed how local communities could lead environmental change with few resources.
Another important experience came during a workshop on inclusive economic models. A small business owner shared how her shop sells handmade crafts made from ocean plastic collected during beach cleanups. This initiative created jobs for young people and raised awareness about waste in the ocean. The workshop showed how sustainability is not only about nature—it is also about people, work, and dignity. It became clear that sustainable development means creating systems where humans and nature can grow together.
The training also focused on cooperation between different cultures and regions. European and Caribbean youth workers shared stories about their home communities. Although their environments were different, many of the problems were the same: lack of youth participation, limited resources, and the feeling that decisions were made without listening to young people. Through these discussions, the participant from Italy saw that sustainable development must begin with listening—listening to local voices, to youth, and to the environment.
Returning to Italy, the youth worker felt a deep responsibility to act. Together with the Associazione Minerva team, a new initiative called “Sviluppo Verde Locale” (Local Green Development) was launched. The project’s goal was to connect sustainable development with youth empowerment at the local level. It included educational workshops, practical community projects, and international exchanges. The program focused on helping young people understand sustainable development as something real and possible—not just a topic for schoolbooks or global conferences.
The workshops were held in small towns and involved local schools, youth clubs, and community centers. They included interactive activities about climate change, circular economy, and local biodiversity. Young people were encouraged to think about how their town could become more sustainable. Some students created ideas like community gardens, shared bike systems, or plastic-free campaigns. The youth worker used stories and tools from the training in Curaçao, including photos, videos, and examples of successful island projects.
One important part of the project was the “Local Action Lab,” where small youth teams could design and test their own sustainability projects. One team developed a campaign to reduce food waste in school canteens. Another group worked with the municipality to turn an abandoned green space into a park with recycled materials. The young people did not only learn—they led. And through this leadership, their voices started to be heard in local meetings and events.
The impact of “Sviluppo Verde Locale” was quickly felt. Schools became more interested in environmental education. Local officials began to see the value of youth input. Parents, teachers, and even business owners joined the activities. For the first time in a long while, sustainable development felt personal, local, and shared. It was not about big words, but small actions with deep meaning.
For the youth worker from Associazione Minerva, the experience in Curaçao gave more than knowledge—it gave courage. The training reminded them that youth workers are not alone. All across the world, others are also trying to build better futures. The connection between Europe and the Caribbean, between towns and islands, became a symbol of global unity and shared responsibility. Sustainable development is not the job of politicians or scientists alone. It is a community effort, and young people must be at the center.
Looking forward, the team at Associazione Minerva plans to expand the project to more regions. They want to involve more rural areas and invite international partners to share their experiences. They hope to create a network of youth-led green actions that can influence both local policy and everyday behavior. The journey that began on an island in the Caribbean continues in the hills and shores of Italy. And it will grow, one youth at a time.
The Erasmus+ training “Coastal Unity” showed that learning is not only about information—it is about connection, action, and vision. Young people are ready to lead. They only need space, trust, and the tools to build a different world. From Curaçao to Italy and beyond, the path to sustainable development is now clearer, more urgent, and more possible than ever before.