HESL

Free Educational Resources for Youth Activities on Sustainable Travel & Social Impact

Are you a young adventurer eager to explore Europe responsibly? Or a youth worker seeking to empower communities through eco-friendly initiatives? We have created a series of hands-on educational resources on sustainable travel available for free! These resources will help you become a more eco-conscious tourist, support local communites and foster well-being. Eco-Tourism Booklet: Your Passport to Sustainable Adventures Toolkit on Youth Eco-Entrepreneurship: Set-up Eco-Conscious Businesses and Community Initiatives Young people drive 70% of social entrepreneurship startups—but lack resources to scale their ideas. Our “Toolkit on Youth Eco-Entrepreneurship” bridges this gap, as it is tailored to young people aspiring to establish their own eco-focused NGOs and youth workers supporting these initiatives.  It offers a step-by-step guide to NGO setup, with help and links to navigate legal and administrative processes in Estonia, Ireland, Portugal, and Romania. It also covers essential skills like fundraising, community engagement, and event planning, alongside guidance on digital tools for management, marketing, and outreach. Complemented by workshop outlines on soft skills such as empathy, communication, and networking, this toolkit equips young entrepreneurs and youth workers with the knowledge and support to create impactful, sustainable organisations. 🛠️ Perfect for learning how to create start up or mentor young entrepreneurs Project Website: Connect, Learn, and Grow You can download or view all our educational resources on sustainable travel from the Eco-Tourism Project Website. The website is also a great place to find more information about our project. It is a succesfull youth project that you can implement locally or with international partners under the Erasmus+ Programme. Reach out to us for a collaboration or to learn any information to create an impactful youth project! The Project ‘Eco-Tourism for Social Entrepreneurship Health and Well-Being Among Youth‘ is an Erasmus+ KA210 youth project. It aimed to empower young people in rural and urban communities to engage with their green areas and take innovative action towards fighting climate change through the promotion of ecotourism. The project involved youth and youth organisations from Estonia, Ireland, Portugal and Romania. It also included local activities, webinars and 2 mobilities to Estonia and Romania, and in the creation of the educational resources on sustainable travel.

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Final Meeting In Lisbon ONSTAGE

ON S.T.A.G.E. Erasmus+ Project | Final Meeting in Lisbon

Our team just came back from the final meeting in Lisbon of the project “Social Theatre for the Active Generation in the EU” (ON S.T.A.G.E), held on February 21st and 22nd. We met again with our partners from Germany Greece, and Portugal to reflect on the project’s journey, finalise its legacy, and bring this forward with a new proposal! The project ‘Social Theatre for the Active Generation in the EU’ (ON S.T.A.G.E) is a KA210 youth project designed to empower young people (aged 18-30) in Germany, Ireland, Greece and Portugal to engage with political issues through theatre. It aims to promote civic engagement among disadvantaged youth, especially for those from ethnic minority backgrounds. They will develop critical citizenship skills and be encouraged to advocate for change by voting in the European elections, increasing their social participation. The projects included local activities and 2 youth mobilities in Greece and Germany. Partners created useful resources, including a project website, a Guidebook on participation in the EU elections for youth and Youth worker Toolkit on youths’ socio-political inclusion. The project has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all activities and links to resources. Day 1: Solidifying Impact & Evaluating the Project The first day of our final meeting in Lisbon centered on evaluating the project’s outcomes, particularly its success in empowering young people from ethnic minority backgrounds to engage with political issues through creative expression. Partners reviewed the completion of key resources, including the Youth Worker Toolkit for Socio-Political Inclusion and the Guidebook on Participation in EU Elections—practical free tools designed to equip youth with the skills to advocate for change and participate actively in democracy that can be found on the project website. We carried our a detailed assessment of the project’s local activities and two youth mobilities in Greece and Germany, where participants used theatre workshops to explore themes like voting rights, social justice, and EU citizenship, resulting in two performance videos. Partners analysed feedback from these mobilities, noting increased confidence among participants to voice their opinions and engage in civic processes. We also mapped out strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of resources, such as integrating the toolkit into our youth initiatives and promoting the guidebook ahead of local elections. The day concluded with collaborative preparations for the final report and fruitful discussion on the main features of a follow-up project. Day 2: Cultural Exploration On the second day, we got the chance to explore Lisbon together, consolidating even more our already strong connection that brought this project to life. Curtain Call? Not Quite! While this TPM marks the formal close of this Erasmus+ project, the spotlight remains on youth-driven impact. Partners will host final local activities this spring to ensure the tools reach even more young people. Discussions are already underway for future collaborations to expand the project’s reach, proving that the stage for social change is only growing bigger. Follow our Facebook and Instagram for updates on our upcoming initiatives for young people in Dublin and online!

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Amplify Marginalised Voices: Educational Tools for Ethnic Minorities Youth Civic Inclusion

Are you working with young people from ethnic minorities? We have created a range of engaging creative tools to support youth workers and educators in fostering youth civic inclusion and more inclusive communities. From guidebooks to theatre-based workshops, discover how these materials can enhance civic and social engagement in young people from ethnic minorities, providing them a safe and creative space to express their voices in their communities. Guidebook on Youth Democratic Participation: Equip Youth to Vote, Advocate, and Lead Many young people—especially from ethnic minorities—feel disconnected from politics. The Guidebook on Youth’s Participation in EU Elections bridges this gap with practical tools and information. The Guidebook is divided into 7 chapters. They can be used by: Youth Worker Toolkit: Foster Inclusion with Theatre & Advocacy Marginalised youth often face systemic barriers to political and civic participation. Our Youth Worker Toolkit on Socio-Political Inclusion provides non-formal, theatre-based methods to foster empathy, leadership, and advocacy. Videos: Stories of Empathy & Empowerment During the ONSTAGE project, we have shot some original and inspiring performance videos with young people during our two mobilities in Greece and Germany. The performances were created by young people, and they blend art and activism to spark conversations about inclusion and democracy. Project Website: Hub for Resource Download and Youth Project Inspiration You can download or view all resources on the ON S.T.A.G.E Project Website. The website is also a great place to find more information about our ONSTAGE project, a great example of a successfull youth project that you can implement in your local area or with international partners under the Erasmus+ Programme. Feel free to reach out to us for a collaboration or simply to learn more about the sessions we run, the methods we used and any other information you need to create an impactful youth project! The Project ‘Social Theatre for the Active Generation in the EU’ (ON S.T.A.G.E) is a KA210 youth project designed to empower young people (aged 18-30) in Germany, Ireland, Greece and Portugal to engage with political issues through theatre. It aimed to promote youth civic inclusion among disadvantaged youth, especially for those from ethnic minority backgrounds. They developped critical citizenship skills and advocated for change by voting in the European elections, increasing their social participation. The projects included local activities and 2 youth mobilities in Greece and Germany. Partners created useful resources, including a project website, a Guidebook on participation in the EU elections for youth and Youth worker Toolkit on youths’ socio-political inclusion.

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Erasmus+ Eco-Tourism Project | Final Partner Meeting in Lisbon, Portugal

The final meeting for the Eco-Tourism project took place in Lisbon on February 18th and 19th. We met our Estonian, Romanian and Portuguese partners to evaluate and assess our successful project in the beautiful capital of Portugal. The Project ‘Eco-Tourism for Social Entrepreneurship Health and Well-Being Among Youth‘ is a KA210 youth project that aims to empower young people in rural and urban communities to engage with their green areas and take innovative action towards fighting climate change through the promotion of ecotourism. The project involves young people and youth organisations from Estonia, Ireland, Portugal and Romania, which will be involved in local activities, webinars and 2 mobilties. During the project, a booklet, a website and an app will also be created. The project has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all ongoing and scheduled activities. The Meeting Our final meeting in Lisbon started with an assessment of Phase 2 of the project and the evaluation of the results created. Together with our partners, we also brainstormed how we could further use the innovative tools designed to empower young people and communities in our own current and new local initiatives. We ended the meeting with the preparation for the final report, conducting a final evaluation of the overall project implementation and partner collaboration. What’s Next? The project came to an end, but our initiatives for local young people continue! Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on upcoming events and activities for young people in Dublin and online!

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Free Educational Resources on Democracy & Sustainability

Are you passionate about shaping a more democratic, sustainable, and youth-driven future? Or are you ready to inspire young people to become active citizens and drive sustainable change? We have created free practical educational materials on democracy and sustainability designed to equip both youth and youth workers with the knowledge and tools to engage in civc and sustainable activities. Youth Democracy in the EU Guidebook: Your Roadmap to Political Engagement How to Use It Sustainable Cities Guidebook: Tools for Green, Inclusive Communities Sustainability and democracy go hand in hand. This Guidebook bridges the two by promoting change through policy knoweldge and people’s engagement. Open Letters: Amplify Youth Voices for Climate Action Words have power. In June 2024, our young climate ambassadors penned Open Letters to the EU, demanding bold climate policies. These letters are now public, offering inspiration—and a blueprint—for your own advocacy. You can pair these letters with the letter-writing guide in our Sustainable Cities Guidebook to craft your own persuasive messages. How to Use It Project Website: Hub for Resource Download and Youth Project Inspiration You can download all resources on the Up-Root Eco-Democracy Project Website. Here, you’ll find: The website is a great place to find a great example of a successfull youth project that you can implement in your local area or with international partners under the Erasmus+ Programme. Feel free to reach out to us for a collaboration or simply to learn more about the sessions we run, the methods we used and any other information you need to create an impactful youth project! The Project Up-Root Eco-Democracy is a KA120 youth project aiming to empower youth by increasing awareness about the EU, democratic processes, and climate change. With the European Parliament elections in mind, the project aimed to enhance youth participation in democracy. The project instilled a sense of responsibility and activism among the youth, equipping them with the tools to shape the future and address the pressing issue of climate change. Up-Root has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all project activities. Young people in Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal and Türkiye took part in local activities, online webinars and two international mobilities to Copenhagen and Cappadocia.

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Project Meeting in Lisbon Up Root TPM 2

Up-Root Eco Democracy | Erasmus+ Transnational Project Meeting in Lisbon, Portugal

Our team just got back from our second Transnational Project Meeting in Lisbon! We had the chance to meet our partners from Sweden, Turkey, Portugal, and Denmark once again to evaluate and assess our successful Up-Root project. The project Up-Root Eco-Democracy aims to increase youth’s confidence in the EU’s ability to tackle climate change and increase youth voter turnout in the 2024 EU elections and beyond. Together, project partners will promote sustainable city development and green practices on a local to global scale, while simultaneously increasing youth’s capacity to research and advocate for environmental issues, promoting young voices in global debate. Day 1: Project Evaluation The focus of the first meeting day was the assessment of the second phase of the project. We also carried out a final evaluation and discussed the project’s long-term sustainability. Partners also reviewed the final versions of the outputs and materials created. We ended the meeting with the preparation for the final report. Day 2: Cultural Tour On the second day, partners took their time to explore Portugal’s capital and trying its local food. This has been a very solid partnership that allowed us to create great resources, opportunities and results for young people. We are happy to have met our partners again at our final project meeting in Lisbon. We will implement the last set of local activities in the upcoming months and put forward some other collaboration ideas for future projects. If you would like to join us, make sure to check our Facebook and Instagram pages for future updates.

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Youth Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship | YEA-EU Erasmus+ Youth Mobility in Portugal

From the 26th to the 30th November, young people from France, Ireland, Denmark, Italy, Romania, and Portugal came together in Lisbon for an inspiring event focused on youth entrepreneurship and the setting up of youth NGOs. Hosted by For Citizens Institute, the mobility aimed to empower youth participants to explore entrepreneurship, build impactful NGOs, and foster cross-cultural collaboration. The Project ‘Youth Eco-Activism in the EU‘ is a KA220 youth project designed to raise awareness of the climate crisis among young people and equip them with the tools to take initiative and address these issues. Specifically, the project’s goal is to guide youth in creating their own social enterprises focused on mitigating climate change and to encourage more young people to engage in climate action through youth-led activism and participation in the EU elections in June 2024. The project involves young people and youth workers from France, Ireland, Portugal, Romania and Denmark. It includes local activities and 2 youth mobilities in 2024. Partners will also create two practical guidebooks on online activism and EU elections, and a platform with information to set-up youth-NGOs. The project has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all ongoing and scheduled activities. Day 1: Introductions and Teambuilding The first day began with participants meeting each other and learning about the host organization and partners. The morning sessions also included team building activities to set a good collaborative environment for the week. In the afternoon, participants engaged in roundtable discussions about the role of NGOs in society and the significance of youth-led initiatives. The day concluded with a Portuguese and Italian cultural night, where participants showcased their countries’ traditions. Day 2: Understanding and Exploring NGO Landscapes Day two expanded participants’ understanding of NGOs. Young people researched and presented policies and steps to set up an NGO in the partner countries. The sessions carried on in the afternoon with a practical workshop on project management and leadership skills. Participants were given a real-life business scenario to roleplay and present. Day 3: Building the Blueprint Day three focused on planning and fundraising. In the morning, participants received a useful insight into the Erasmus+ programme and the European funding available for youth NGOs. In the afternoon, they delved into the drafting of their NGO business plan to bring their ideas into reality. We finished off the day with an amazing cultural night, tasting Romanian and Irish food. Day 4: Sharpening the Skills Day four was all about testing their communication skills, persuasion and leadership by participating in an engaging role-play panel workshop. Young people pitched their enterprise ideas and convinced the judges to fund their youth entrepreneurship. Day 5: Reflecting and Celebrating The final day started with a visit to one of the local NGOs. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about social enterprise first-hand, asking insightful questions about their connection with the municipality and impact on the community.  We finished off the day with a final reflection and a certificate ceremony.  What’s next? The next phase of the project includes online and in-person events in all partner countries to present the project resources. They will also be available for free to use and download. More information coming soon on our social media! Check our Facebook and Instagram to find more information on these and other events in the upcoming months and how you can take part!

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ONSTAGE mobility in Germany on minorities discrimination

Youth Mobility On Theatre and Minorities Discrimination in Germany | Erasmus+ ON S.T.A.G.E. Project

We spent a great creative week in Berlin for our Erasmus+ ON STAGE Project last October! We were hosted by our German coordinator Alrahallah Theater Berlin from the 13th to the 17st October to shoot the second theatre performance of the project. Combining social theatre and discussions about inclusion and minorities discrimination in our societies, we came up with an original play to talk about the importance of showing empathy and kindness in our everyday life to change biases and make life better for everyone in our community. The project ‘Social Theatre for the Active Generation in the EU’ (ON S.T.A.G.E) is a KA210 youth project designed to empower young people (aged 18-30) in Germany, Ireland, Greece and Portugal to engage with political issues through theatre. It aims to promote civic engagement among disadvantaged youth, especially for those from ethnic minority backgrounds. They will develop critical citizenship skills and be encouraged to advocate for change by voting in the European elections, increasing their social participation. The projects included local activities and 2 youth mobilities in Greece and Germany. Partners created useful resources, including a project website, a Guidebook on participation in the EU elections for youth and Youth worker Toolkit on youths’ socio-political inclusion. The project has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all activities and links to resources. DAY 1 – 13th October On the first day, we got to know each other through theatre-based team building activities. We then focussed on theatre techniques, especially body language, to set the scene for the rest of the week. DAY 2 – 14th October On the second day, participants worked on the theme of the mobility and the play, which was introduced during the pre-departure online workshops. They shared experiences and view points on nowadays society’s oppressors and oppressed. They also discussed today’s social problems across Europe, including minorities discrimination. From this, they drew the theme of the stage performance. DAY 3 – 15th October On the third day, participants worked on the story and got an introduction to social theatre. They decided their roles and worked on building the initial connection to their characters. DAY 4 – 16th October On the fourth day, the group rehearsed the main performance. They also got the chance to explore Berlin, passing by the main landmarks of the city. DAY 5 – 17th October On the fifth and last day, teh group shot the video of the final performance! You can find it on Youtube (link here). We finished off the day with a collective reflection on the experience, where participants shared their feedback and emotions felt throughout the week. What’s next? The next phase of the project includes online and in-person events in all partner countries to present the project resources. They will also be available for free to use and download. For more information on these and other opportunities for young people coming soon, check our Facebook and Instagram pages!

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Youth eco-torurism in Romania LTTA 2

Youth Eco-Tourism For Community Development | Erasmus+ Youth Mobility in Romania

From October 8th to 11th, youth from Ireland, Estonia, Romania, and Portugal gathered to explore the connection between youth NGOs and eco-tourism as a tool for community development. The youth mobility was part of our Eco-Tourism Erasmus+ project. The project ‘Eco-Tourism for Social Entrepreneurship Health and Well-Being Among Youth‘ is a KA210 youth project that aims to empower young people in rural and urban communities to engage with their green areas and take innovative action towards fighting climate change through the promotion of ecotourism. The project involves young people and youth organisations from Estonia, Ireland, Portugal and Romania. They will be involved in local activities, webinars and 2 mobilties. During the project, a booklet, a website and an app will also be created. The project has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all ongoing and scheduled activities. Day 1: Introduction and Discussions The opening day was all about introductions. After some teambuilding activities, participants engaged in partner presentations to share insights into their organisations and local contexts. In the afternoon, they joined an roundtable discussion on the role that young people can play in community growth. Day 2: Discovering Local Innovations The second day delved deeper into local initiatives. Participants took part in a workshop led by the NGO Mare Nostrum on micro plastic. They also received a visit from local organisations, gaining valuable insights into the NGO creation and work for young people in Constanța. The day concluded with young people revising the outputs created for the project and sharing valuable feedback for improvement and dissemination. In the evening, we had a lively cultural night offering participants the chance to celebrate Irish and Portuguese cultures through food and traditional music. Day 3: Hands-On Learning and Exploration Day three was dedicated to practical learning, as each country piloted a workshop plan included in the Eco-Tourism Toolkit. Participants got hands-on experience in brainstorming their NGO ideas, networking and creating a social media plan for their NGO. In the afternoon, young people took part in a fun activity around the city to build resilience and communication skills. The day ended with an outdoor activity that took the group into Constanța’s cultural sites, testing the eco-tourism routes designed to guide visitors while highlighting sustainability. In the evening, we had a lovely time eating together at a Romanian restaurant, where we had our Romanian and Estonian cultural night. Day 4: Wrapping Up and Looking Forward On the final day, participants reflected on the mobility, sharing ideas on how to implement eco-tourism projects in their communities. To share these moments, we shot video interviews to capture their feedback on the experience. What’s next? The next phase of the project includes online and in-person events in all partner countries to present the project resources. They will also be available for free to use and download. More information coming soon on our social media! Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to find other opportunities!

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Sustainable Development Turkey LTTA 2 in September 2024

Youth Mobility on Sustainable Development | Up-Root LTTA 2 in Turkey

We just spent an amazing week in Cappadocia for our second Youth mobility on sustainable development!  As part of our Erasmus+ Up root project, young people from Ireland, Sweden, Danemark, Portugal and Turkey had the opportunity to travel to the marvelous Cappadocia region to discuss sustainable cities, learn more about the EU-Turkey relationship and explore the ancient sites. The Project Up-Root Eco-Democracy is a KA120 youth project aiming to empower youth by increasing awareness about the EU, democratic processes, and climate change. With the upcoming European Parliament elections in mind, the project aims to enhance youth participation in democracy. The project hopes to instil a sense of responsibility and activism among the youth, equipping them with the tools to shape the future and address the pressing issue of climate change. Up-Root has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all ongoing and scheduled activities. Young people will be engaged in local activities, online webinars and one more upcoming mobility in Turkey. Day 1 We kicked off the mobility on the 3rd September with a lot of icebreakers and team building games that helped getting to know each other more before starting the activities. We then took part in an interactive seminars where we learned about and discussed the historical and political relations between Turkey & the EU that led to new opportunities such as this Erasmus+ project. After lunch, we were introduced to the main topic of the mobility, sustainable city development, starting by discussing the Issues brought by the 2023 devastating earthquake in the South-East of Turkey.  The activities ended with a fun creative workshop! Young people came up with brand new solutions for sustainable city development, using recycled materials to build their prototypes. Group 1 developed an innovative eye catching creation for waste collection. Group 2 designed a boat combining water, wind and solar energy. Group 3 created a house system that used wind and solar energy, as well as a system to reuse rain in the household. As the 1st day came to a close, we had fun on the Swedish and Danish cultural night. Day 2 On the 2nd day, the activities were focused on the two main project topics: democracy and sustainability. In the morning, we had a practical workshop. Participants created social media content to promote eco-friendly behavious, the project and the international day of the democracy. We also took part in a mock election workshop. The two elected youth president and vice president lead the afternoon sessions, which included insightful roundtable discussion on the role of the EU in combating climate change. Young people expressed interesting and valid ideas on how institutions should move forward in their sustainable development plans. Day 3 The 3rd day was excursion day! We had a great time learning more about Turkish history, trying local food and exploring Göreme stunning sites. In the afternoon, our Turkish host organised a visit to the Nevsehir municipality. Young people had the opportunity to meet the Mayor of the city and learn more about his political background, as well as his views for sustainable city development and tourism. The day finished off with a bang! We listened to Turkish singers, tried the Irish dance and tasted some food from Portugal. Day 4 On the last day, we wrapped up the mobility with a session to share our feedback and a certificate ceremony! What’s next? This was the last mobility planned for the Up-Root project, which is ending in February 2025. However, we have other opportunities for young people to take part in similar life-changing opportunities! Check our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on upcoming Erasmus+ youth opportunities.

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