Sustainability in Action 2.0 – Sustainability That Lasts

How can sustainability in youth work be conveyed in a way that truly resonates – and has a lasting impact?That was the guiding question of our two-year Erasmus+ project Sustainability in Action 2.0 – Learn, Live, Passing on!, which we at Abenteuerzentrum Berlin developed and implemented together with five partner organizations from Slovenia (Sunny Hill), Italy (Gramigna ODV), Portugal (Casa d’Abóbora), Romania (EduBiz), and Turkey (Magic Mind Youth).

Project Goals: Think Holistically – Act Practically

The project pursued three core goals:

Make sustainability tangible in all its dimensions – ecological, social, economic, cultural, and personal.

Motivate young people and professionals to develop their own sustainable project

Strengthen practical methods and mindset in non-formal education.

A key emphasis: Sustainability is not just a matter of facts, but also of attitude, self-reflection – and joy.

Because:
If it’s not fun, it’s not sustainable.

Our Understanding of Sustainability
Sustainability in Action 2.0-

- is based on a holistic approach that goes beyond the classic three pillars – ecology, economy, and social – to include cultural, technological, and inner dimensions.

This inner dimension – values, mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional resilience – was especially important to us. Because those who want to act sustainably need more than just knowledge: they need a solid internal foundation.

The Circle of Courage: Attitude With Impact
We incorporated the Circle of Courage – a model emphasizing four basic needs of young people:

•Belonging
•Competence
•Autonomy
•Generosity

This mindset accompanied us throughout the project – in workshops, reflections, group phases, and methods. In Italy, we even dedicated a workshop to it, during which many participants reflected on their personal stories and redefined their relationship with sustainability.
I realized that my commitment to sustainability is connected to my own life story – that was new for me.

Our Activities – Experiencing Sustainability

After a joint preparatory meeting, four international training activities (Mobilities) followed – each focusing on a specific sustainability topic:

Berlin (Germany) – Green Projects & Urban Visionaries

Our project kicked off at the Abenteuerzentrum in Berlin. Together, we explored sustainable urban development, zero-waste initiatives, and green city concepts – and developed our own project ideas.

Highlights:

• Guided tours through sustainable housing projects
• Workshops on resource use and consumption
• Creative activities like making seed bombs or photo voice sessions
• Discussions on how to design urban spaces for a better future

The combination of practice and reflection was really effective – it made me reflect on my own behaviour.
FutURium was a life-changing experience – I took away so many ideas.

Burdur (Turkey) – Green & Digital Future

This training focused on the intersection of digital tools and sustainability. We explored opportunities and challenges and developed green business ideas through simulation exercises.

Highlights:

• Visit to Lisinia Nature Center (permaculture without irrigation)
• Human Library on responsibility and sustainability
• Workshops on greenwashing and digital strategy

I had no idea how much greenwashing shapes our daily lives – that was a real eye-opener.
The SWOT analysis on digitalisation helped me to better understand risks and potentials.

Benevento (Italy) – Ecological & Social Sustainability

This mobility focused on community-based agriculture, social inclusion and local empowerment – with a special emphasis on the Circle of Courage.

Highlights:

• Harvest workshop in a local vineyard
• Introduction to ethical online business models (Gioosto)
• Deep-dive Circle of Courage workshop using biographical methods

It was touching to see how sustainability and social inclusion are interconnected.
It was the first time I saw how agriculture can create participation and dignity.

Cinfães (Portugal) – Preserving Cultural & Local Heritage

In Portugal, we explored cultural sustainability: How can we preserve and pass on traditions in a meaningful way – while also shaping a future-oriented identity?

Highlights:

• Learning traditional local crafts
• Exploring different methods of cultural preservation
• Reflecting on diversity and identity in sustainability work

Experiencing other cultures helped me rediscover and value my own.
I saw my cultural roots in a whole new light.

Our E-Book – A Practical Result

The project concluded with a System Development Phase in Slovenia, during which we co-created our main output:
Sustainability in Action 2.0 – Workshops, Methodologies & Best Practices

This digital handbook includes:

• our holistic understanding of sustainability (including the inner dimension)
• ready-to-use workshops and learnings from all partner countries
• methods such as Photovoice, Human Library, Theory of Change
• deep insights into using the Circle of Courage to design meaningful and lasting learning processes
• practical tips & reflection tools for sustainable action
• project examples from six countries
• and creative ideas for youth workers, trainers and facilitators

Download the Ebook here

The book is like a toolbox for me – I can apply it straight away in my workshops.

Final Thoughts: Sustainability That Lasts

Sustainability in Action 2.0 was more than just a project. It was an intense and honest learning journey across borders – filled with creativity, dialogue, and a shared vision:

Sustainability starts within ourselves.
It takes community, courage to reflect – and yes, it should be fun.

Many participants didn’t just gain knowledge – they found motivation, started projects, built networks, and took action. For us as a team, the project showed how powerful education can be when it involves the head, heart, and hands.

It was not the end – but another step toward youth work that truly embraces responsibility for people, community, and planet.

We thank all partners, participants, and supporters – and we’re excited about what’s coming next.

Next step: Shaping a Sustainable Future Together – Youth Exchange in Italy

Let’s keep growing!

"Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the funding agency Youth for Europe. Neither the European Union nor Youth for Europe can be held responsible for them."