In January 2024, the Erasmus+ training course “Coastal Unity: Sustainable Solutions in Europe and the Caribbean” took place on the island of Curaçao. This international event brought together youth workers from both Europe and the Caribbean to discuss and develop responses to the shared environmental and social challenges faced by island and coastal regions. Through a week of discussions, community visits, creative workshops, and cultural exchange, the training focused on finding inclusive and sustainable solutions to climate change, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss. It also explored ways to promote youth participation in decision-making processes. For a youth worker from Curaçao, this experience was deeply personal, powerful, and full of hope.
Before the training, the situation in Curaçao reflected many of the difficulties experienced by small island communities around the world. Climate change was already making its mark. The island’s coastlines were showing signs of erosion. Coral reefs were disappearing, and marine life was becoming harder to find. Many families depended on fishing or tourism, but both sectors were suffering from changing weather, pollution, and economic instability. On top of these environmental problems, young people were facing challenges like high unemployment, lack of access to opportunities, and limited platforms to share their ideas or influence decisions. Often, youth felt disconnected from political processes and environmental policy, even though they were the ones most affected by these long-term issues.
Stichting F.E.L.I.S. Curaçao had been working for several years to create safe spaces for youth, focusing on education, leadership, and social development. But there was a growing need to empower youth to take a more active role in addressing climate issues and building a better future. Before the training, the team had been discussing how to connect their work in youth empowerment with the growing need for environmental education and community engagement. The “Coastal Unity” training created the perfect opportunity to connect these ideas and learn from both local and international perspectives.
The training experience was unique because it happened right at home, but with the fresh energy of participants from different countries. One of the most eye-opening parts of the training was hearing how youth workers from Europe viewed climate change as something they studied or discussed in schools, while for youth in Curaçao, it was something they lived with every day. The connection between environmental issues and daily life was much stronger. Youth workers from Europe were surprised to hear how much local knowledge and traditional practices existed within Caribbean communities. At the same time, local participants saw how new tools, digital platforms, and policy engagement strategies could help bring their voices into bigger conversations.
The group visited a local youth center near the coast where teenagers were creating community gardens and using recycled materials to build outdoor classrooms. These youth shared their experiences with pride. They explained how their projects were not only about the environment but also about identity, self-respect, and leadership. The participants discussed how similar projects could be supported in other areas. There were also art-based activities that helped people share their climate stories through painting, performance, and poetry. One of the strongest messages that came out of the training was that youth are already acting as leaders—they just need support to grow.
After the training ended, the youth worker from Stichting F.E.L.I.S. Curaçao returned to their daily work with a new perspective. They started developing a program called “Island Rise: Youth Voices for a Sustainable Future.” This program was inspired by the training and focused on helping local youth create projects that respond to environmental issues in their own communities. The idea was simple: give young people space, support, and mentorship so they could design and lead their own sustainability projects.
The first phase of “Island Rise” was a call for ideas. Young people aged 14 to 20 were invited to share small project ideas for improving their neighborhoods. Some suggested starting school compost gardens. Others wanted to make short films about marine life. A few proposed organizing clean-up days followed by community art projects using plastic waste. These proposals were not just creative—they were smart, thoughtful, and full of purpose. The training had shown the youth worker how important it was to trust young people to know what their communities need.
Once the ideas were collected, the NGO organized a weekend bootcamp where selected youth teams worked with mentors, including environmentalists, artists, and entrepreneurs, to plan their projects in more detail. The mentors used techniques and materials shared during the Erasmus+ training. The youth were also taught how to present their ideas, write basic project plans, and manage small budgets. This combination of empowerment and practical skills helped them feel confident and capable.
The impact of “Island Rise” quickly became visible. The projects were implemented in different parts of the island and received positive attention from schools, local media, and community leaders. One school garden became a model for others and even attracted support from a local supermarket. A short youth-led documentary on coral bleaching was shown at a community festival. The youth teams reported feeling more hopeful, respected, and connected to their island. Some of them were invited to speak at municipal youth events. The most important change, however, was internal. The participants began to see themselves as changemakers.
The program also created a new level of trust between generations. Parents and elders became more involved in youth activities. Teachers included the projects in their lessons. Policymakers began to take notice. Stichting F.E.L.I.S. Curaçao used the momentum to launch conversations with local government departments about how to include youth in sustainability planning. They proposed the creation of a Youth Climate Advisory Council for the island—a space where young people could give input on environmental strategies. The idea is still under discussion, but the process has already opened doors for more youth involvement.
Looking forward, the vision is to grow the “Island Rise” initiative into a long-term platform for youth leadership on sustainability. The team hopes to connect youth leaders in Curaçao with peers in other Caribbean and European regions to exchange experiences and co-create solutions. The Erasmus+ project showed that cross-cultural learning can be powerful, especially when it centers real voices and real needs.
The training in Curaçao reminded everyone that youth empowerment is not a dream—it is a strategy. It is one of the most effective ways to build stronger, more climate-resilient communities. When young people have the opportunity to speak, create, and lead, they not only improve their own lives—they strengthen their communities for generations to come.
From the shores of Curaçao to classrooms, councils, and community halls, the wave of youth leadership is growing. The Erasmus+ experience has become a spark that continues to light action, one young voice at a time.