From Waste to Wisdom: Learning Sustainability Through Action

Legacy of the Soil: Sustainable Agriculture and Safe Food (Project No: 2024-3-ES02-KA153-YOU-000260774) is an Erasmus+ Mobility of Youth Workers project coordinated by Generaciones Saludables España. The mobility was held in Gijón, Spain, from 28 April to 5 May 2025, bringing together participants from Turkey, Spain, Hungary, Poland, and Iceland. The project was designed to strengthen youth workers' knowledge of sustainable agriculture, safe food systems, environmental protection, and climate action through non-formal education while encouraging international cooperation and intercultural learning.

Throughout the project, participants explored the relationship between nature, waste, and environmental sustainability through highly interactive activities. Experiential learning methods such as storytelling, dramatization, and reflection encouraged participants to view environmental issues from different perspectives and develop empathy toward the natural world. By discussing recycling, waste management, and resource conservation, participants gained a deeper understanding of how individual actions contribute to protecting ecosystems and creating a more sustainable future.

The mobility also promoted healthy lifestyles and environmentally friendly mobility through practical cycling sessions and climate awareness workshops. Participants strengthened their physical well-being while discovering the environmental benefits of sustainable transportation as an alternative to carbon-intensive travel. Interactive discussions, presentations, and question-and-answer sessions further expanded their knowledge of the global climate crisis, food security, and the importance of adopting responsible consumption habits that support both people and the planet.

Another important learning outcome focused on ecological living and sustainable daily practices. Participants reflected on their own environmental habits through surveys, explored examples of ecological lifestyles, and discussed practical solutions for reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and supporting organic food production. Creative dissemination activities further transformed learning into action as participants designed project posters and handmade promotional materials using natural objects collected during outdoor exploration, demonstrating how sustainability can be combined with creativity and community engagement.

The project was enriched by continuous reflection and intercultural exchange, allowing participants to evaluate their learning process while sharing their countries' agricultural traditions, environmental challenges, local food cultures, and cultural heritage. Through collaborative evaluation methods, teamwork, and cultural presentations, participants strengthened their communication, critical thinking, creativity, and international cooperation skills. As a result, the mobility empowered youth workers with practical tools, innovative educational approaches, and a stronger commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental responsibility, and safe food practices within their local communities.