In January 2024, youth workers from across Europe and the Caribbean came together on the island of Curaçao for the Erasmus+ project “Coastal Unity: Sustainable Solutions in Europe and the Caribbean.” This program brought new energy to the discussion about how young people can shape a more sustainable world. The training focused on shared environmental and socio-economic challenges in island and coastal regions, such as climate change, rising sea levels, pollution, and unequal economic growth. By bringing together youth workers with different cultural and professional backgrounds, the project encouraged collaboration, cross-border learning, and youth-led solutions for building climate-resilient futures.
For a youth worker from Romania, participating in this project was both inspiring and necessary. Romania, while not an island nation, faces many environmental issues that affect daily life. Deforestation, water pollution, and poor waste management are problems in several regions. Many rural communities depend on agriculture, which is becoming more difficult due to shifting weather conditions and longer droughts. The Danube Delta, one of Romania’s most important ecosystems, is also under threat from pollution and climate-related changes. In small towns and villages, people often lack information or tools to make sustainable choices. At the same time, young people in Romania are becoming more interested in protecting the environment. Many of them want to be part of the solution, but they do not always know where to start.
Green Hope, the NGO based in Romania, has been working with young people to raise awareness about climate change and sustainability. However, before the training in Curaçao, many of their activities were small in scale and limited to school workshops or cleanup actions. What was missing was a broader understanding of how to connect local action with global challenges. The Erasmus+ training offered a new way of thinking. It connected the dots between youth participation, environmental justice, and sustainable economic development.
The experience in Curaçao was life-changing. The youth worker met people from both European and Caribbean regions who shared similar concerns about the environment but also came with different experiences and perspectives. One of the most moving parts of the training was a visit to a small fishing community where the locals explained how rising sea levels and marine pollution had already begun to change their way of life. The sea was bringing more plastic than fish. Their stories were emotional and real. It became clear that climate change is not only a scientific topic—it is a human story, felt every day by people in coastal communities.
The workshops during the training were designed to encourage critical thinking and cooperation. Participants learned how to create community-based solutions to problems like waste, pollution, and biodiversity loss. In one session, the group worked together on developing a sustainable tourism model that protects nature and benefits local people. Another session focused on inclusive growth—how to ensure that environmental progress does not leave anyone behind. The trainers also shared successful case studies from both the Caribbean and Europe. Each example showed how young people can make a difference when they are supported and trusted.
Returning to Romania, the youth worker felt motivated to create a long-term project that would bring together everything learned during the training. Together with the team at Green Hope, a new program was developed called “EcoRoots: Growing Sustainable Communities.” The project aimed to promote sustainable development in rural areas by involving local youth in environmental education, eco-friendly business ideas, and community projects. The goal was to support young people in becoming changemakers who could lead their communities toward a greener future.
The first step of the EcoRoots project was organizing local workshops in villages across southern Romania. These workshops taught the basics of sustainability—how to reduce waste, protect water sources, and use natural resources wisely. But they also went further. Young people were invited to come up with small business ideas that were environmentally friendly. Some suggested starting organic gardens, while others proposed eco-tourism routes that highlighted local nature and traditions. These ideas were inspired by the community examples from Curaçao, where local culture and nature were seen as valuable assets rather than obstacles.
EcoRoots also included practical activities such as planting trees, cleaning riversides, and building compost stations. These actions helped to build a sense of teamwork and responsibility. Youth were encouraged to talk to their families and neighbors about what they had learned. Slowly, the project began to grow roots—not only in the ground but in the minds and hearts of the community.
The results were encouraging. Parents and teachers noticed that the youth involved in the project were more motivated and confident. Some of the participants took the lead in their schools’ environmental clubs. Others joined meetings with local authorities to talk about how their village could become more sustainable. The youth worker and Green Hope also received invitations to present the project in other regions. The simple idea that began in Curaçao was now helping create a network of rural changemakers across Romania.
The project also opened doors to new partnerships. Green Hope started working with local farmers, tourism businesses, and municipal offices to build more support for youth-led sustainability. One town even introduced a “Green Youth Council,” where young people could propose ideas and be involved in local planning. The council was inspired by the training’s focus on youth participation in decision-making. This was one of the most rewarding outcomes—not only were young people learning about the environment, but they were also being invited to shape the future of their communities.
For the youth worker, the training in Curaçao was more than just a learning event. It was a call to action. It showed that sustainable development is possible when communities work together and when youth are given the chance to lead. It also proved that cross-cultural learning is powerful. Even though the Netherlands and Romania are far from the Caribbean, the connection between young people, nature, and the desire for change is universal.
Looking ahead, the Green Hope team plans to continue and expand EcoRoots. They are developing a toolkit for other NGOs and schools to use. They also hope to organize an exchange program where Romanian youth can visit other countries to learn about sustainable practices. The long-term vision is clear: to build a generation of young people who understand that protecting the environment is not a job for tomorrow—it starts today, in every town, every family, and every young heart.
The “Coastal Unity” project reminded everyone involved that real change starts with people. When youth learn, connect, and act together, they can transform communities from the inside out. From Curaçao’s shores to Romania’s villages, the message is strong: sustainable development begins with unity, hope, and the courage to grow something better for all.