Natural beauties

What are the objectives of the project?

The 'Natural Beauties' project was conceived with the primary objective of making young people more aware of the climate changes that are occurring in our environmental system, what the main triggers are and what each of us, in our small way, can do to reduce these consequences. The need for this project was raised by the participants because they want to tackle their local environmental challenges by learning about it and about international initiatives. The project's objectives are in connection with the youth exchange and general EU and Erasmus+ values.

The project aims for each participating member to learn and acquire a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle and make the success of the project even more useful and effective by spreading the gained knowledge within their local communities. All activities within the programme therefore aim to achieve certain objectives:

• To make young people more aware of the environmental situation we are experiencing and provide practical opportunities to achieve them;

• To enable each participant to improve his or her skills and knowledge and to learn new ones through a method that is non-formal or informal;

• Aiming at collaboration and teamwork between young people from different cultures to reduce geographical and social barriers by breaking stereotypes;

• Equip participants with specific methods and tools to promote ecological actions among young people;

• Direct participants towards a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle;

• Use social media to disseminate these objectives as widely as possible.

What activities do we plan to implement? What is the number and profile of the participants involved?

The activities within the program are focused on a type of non-formal and informal learning, capable of effectively involving every member of the group.

There will be discursive activities such as "Ice breaking", an activity thanks to which each member will be able to get to know others and make themselves known, with the primary objective of allowing each participant to act in a serene and inclusive climate. Discussions such as "Fears, Expectations, Challenges, Self-Reflection" and "Reflection time" will allow each member to express their opinion regarding the program and the activities carried out and to listen to those of others, thus being able to express their own opinion actively.

The topic dedicated activities will then be fundamental, such as "Green exploration", thanks to which the group will have the possibility, through guided excursions, to come into first-hand contact with nature. The "Waste collection/Recycling" activity will be of not only environmental but also social benefit, which will see each participant carry out real actions against environmental pollution. The group will gather in places such as polluted parks to collect waste, then end the day with the creation of an object of their choice using only and exclusively recycled materials.

The project will involve 30 young people from Hungary, Spain, France and Italy. The Hungarian and Italian team will have plus-one members for their active cooperation hence they will be able to participate with 7 young participants (18-30) and one group leader (+18). The French and Spanish team will be able to participate with 6 participants and a group leader.

Apart from them there will be two nominated facilitators to support each other and the learning of the participants. These facilitators will come from other Hungarian NGOs with experience related to the topic, youth work and work with people who are living with fewer opportunities.

What results and impact do we expect our project to have?

The goals that the success of the project aims to achieve are:

• Make young people aware of the environmental difficulties currently present on our planet;

• Enable participants to improve their skills and knowledge and to learn others through non-formal teaching methods designed to be as stimulating and effective as possible;

• To make young people aware of possible actions, including daily actions, useful for the protection of the environment, supporting them in acquiring a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle that they can eventually share with their loved ones;

• Enable young people from different countries and cultures to play as a team, thus being able to share their own culture and learn about that of others.

The project will have an impact on the participants who can multiplicate the effect in their own communities though the prepared final outcomes and their experiences. Online and physical dissemination activities will raise awareness of the environmental challenges as well as Erasmus+ opportunities. The local NGOs and schools will be reached for sharing the final outcomes and information about the topic and Erasmus+/ESC. The final outcomes will not just be posted on our social media platforms and websites but also on SALTO for further usage from other NGOs and youth workers. All these together can mobilise the youth Europe wide and encourage them to be connected more with the environment and each other and save our future together.