Imagine a gathering of enthusiastic young people in the stunning city of Vlorë, Albania. That’s exactly what happened during a recent Training of Trainers (ToT) event as part of the “Engage, Connect and Empower Youth for a Sustainable Green Future – Fast Forward” project. Supported by Erasmus+ and co-funded by the European Commission, this project brought together a group committed to making our planet a greener, more sustainable place.
The training was all about empowering youth and promoting a greener Europe. Over the course of the event, participants spoke about the understanding of climate change to mastering the art of effective communication on environmental issues. They were equipped with practical tools and knowledge to tackle climate challenges head-on.
What made this training so special was the mix of interactive sessions, hands-on workshops, and collaborative exercises. Experts in environmental science and communication led engaging discussions, sharing their insights and answering questions. Participants didn’t just sit back and listen – they were actively involved, working on real-life scenarios and developing their own strategies for climate action.
One of the highlights was learning how to interpret climate data and use it to create compelling stories about climate change. This was not only educational but also empowering, as it showed participants how to turn complex information into messages that can inspire and mobilize their communities.
The project was a collaborative effort, with support from several partner organizations, including Albanian Skills, Eco-Logic, The Balkan Forum, Build Green Group and Brigaid Connect. This teamwork enriched the training experience, providing a range of perspectives and ideas.
By the end of the training, participants left with new skills, fresh ideas and a shared vision for a sustainable future. It was clear that the knowledge and energy they gained would fuel their efforts to drive positive change in their own communities.
This project highlights the crucial role of young people in shaping a sustainable future. The enthusiasm and dedication of the participants were truly inspiring, and it’s exciting to think about the impact they’ll have as they apply what they’ve learned.
Co-funded by the European Union, this initiative shows the power of youth engagement in tackling climate change. While the views expressed are those of the participants and organizers, they reflect a collective commitment to a greener world.
More about "FAST FORWARD"
The project “Engage, connect and empower youth for a sustainable green future” is focused on two European Youth Goals: quality learning and sustainable green Europe. It aims at implementing a creative strategy in terms of capacity building for the new generation actually facing the problems of tomorrow related to environment degradation, climate change, and sustainability issues.
The target group of the project is youth trainers/workers, organizations, young activists in Albania, local/national authorities, and citizens of Albania and Europe. The project will focus in bringing the EU practices and translate them into tangible tools for youth in Western Balkan in order to fast forward the green transition. The core of the project, capacity building, will be achieved through a critical number of activities, such as ToT, Youth exchanges, toolkits and manuals. These activities will spill over throughout non-formal learning providers benefitting staff, youth, and key stakeholders in the process.
Overall, with this project Build Green Group will promote and improve capacity building for youth in important areas such as climate change awareness, environment digitalization, environmental justice, innovation & research, contribution to SDGs, and creation of fruitful partnerships. The topic addressed and activities designed to make the project have a local, national, and EU impact, specifically in bringing EU practices in WB.