Rural goes Green

The youth exchange Rural Goes Green brought together 32 young people aged 16–19 from Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and the Czech Republic for a week of exploration, learning, and action toward a greener future. Set in the peaceful environment of Mezőberény, Hungary, the project focused on reconnecting young people—especially those from rural and small urban areas—with nature, sustainability, and European values.

In an era when sustainability is more crucial than ever, this youth exchange created a space where participants could learn about eco-friendly lifestyles, discover traditional rural practices, and reflect on how these can be adapted to modern life. Beyond environmental education, the project also aimed to foster inclusion by providing international learning opportunities to youth facing fewer opportunities, ensuring that every participant could grow, express themselves, and collaborate freely.

Objectives of the project

• Empower youth with green competences: Equip young participants with practical environmental knowledge, sustainable habits, and the confidence to apply them in their everyday lives.

• Promote intercultural understanding: Strengthen cooperation and friendship between youth from different countries through shared experiences and teamwork.

• Encourage inclusion and participation: Engage young people from rural and small urban backgrounds in European learning opportunities, promoting equal access and social cohesion.

• Foster European values and environmental awareness: Link sustainability with civic engagement, responsibility, and digital participation.

• Support the development of partner organizations: Build long-term collaboration between youth NGOs while enhancing their capacity to deliver high-quality Erasmus+ projects aligned with green and inclusive values.

Over seven days, participants experienced a full journey of discovery, creativity, and collaboration centered on green practices, inclusion, and active participation.

The exchange began with ice-breaking and team-building activities, designed to create a safe, inclusive space for young people to connect across borders. Through games like Hidden Truths Bingo, the Green Yarn Web, and the collaborative session Roots & Routes, participants built trust and co-created a shared social contract that would guide their week together.

The second day focused on exploring Erasmus+ opportunities and Youthpass, helping participants understand how their learning connects to key competences for lifelong learning. Through creative activities like The Competence Showdown and Pathways & Passports, they learned how Erasmus+ can support both personal and professional growth, while building a sense of European identity.

Mid-week, the group dove deep into sustainability and environmental awareness. Workshops such as The 5Rs Challenge, Eco-Islanders, and Climate Scene Creators allowed participants to explore topics like zero-waste living, system thinking, and environmental responsibility through games, theatre, and interactive teamwork. The dynamic outdoor game Operation Green Sphere challenged participants to collaborate under pressure, decode environmental problems, and design creative, real-life solutions.

As the week continued, creativity took center stage in sessions like ARctic Escape: Climate Quest and Fashion Fix-Up: Upcycling Runway, where participants combined innovation with sustainability, transforming recycled materials into expressive eco-fashion pieces. Later, the Eco-Policy Hackathon encouraged critical thinking and civic engagement, as groups developed proposals for community-based green actions and shared them through live pitches.

One of the highlights was the community visit to Békéscsaba, where participants took part in the TrashTag Challenge, cleaning and sorting waste in public spaces. This was followed by the Crazy 20 Green City Hunt, a social media-based scavenger game promoting environmental awareness and digital creativity. These experiences helped participants see how sustainability and youth action can make a visible impact in the community.

The final days were devoted to reflection, dissemination, and celebration. Activities like Echoes of Impact and The Infinite Memory allowed participants to express gratitude, share feedback, and co-create digital storytelling pieces to promote the project online. They completed their Youthpass certificates, celebrated their learning journey, and said farewell during a heartfelt final evening that highlighted friendship, creativity, and shared values.

By the end of the project, participants had not only learned about sustainable practices but also developed leadership, teamwork, communication, and digital skills. Many expressed a renewed motivation to act for their communities and take part in future Erasmus+ opportunities.

Photo Gallery

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Activity Video

A short awareness-raising films created by the participants

Selfie - Challenge

Scavenger Hunt

Disseminations

Romania

Serbia