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!