The youth exchange "Make The World Green Again" brought together 50 young participants from Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. In recent years, there had been increasing recognition of the role of eco-conscious behaviour, sustainable practices, and non-formal education in youth development. Environmental responsibility and sustainability were becoming central themes in young people's lives.

Throughout this exchange, participants explored a variety of green practices that contributed to a more sustainable environment. They gained a deeper understanding of the importance of waste reduction, recycling, and zero-waste principles. By engaging in hands-on activities, they acquired practical knowledge and skills that they could later implement and promote within their own communities.

The activity also aimed to foster intercultural learning by encouraging participants to share and discuss their countries’ green initiatives and environmental strategies. Through collaborative work, young people enhanced their teamwork abilities, developed resource mobilization skills, and planned small-scale eco-friendly campaigns.

The youth exchange placed a strong emphasis on promoting a sustainable lifestyle and highlighted the value of cultural diversity. As participants from different backgrounds came together, they exchanged traditions, stories, and perspectives related to environmental protection, fostering empathy, cross-cultural communication, and appreciation for diverse approaches to sustainability. 

Objectives:

• Teamwork and Leadership Development: To strengthen participants' skills in teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and intercultural communication through hands-on activities centered on sustainability and green practices.

• Environmental Responsibility through Non-Formal Learning: To raise awareness about sustainable behavior and environmental responsibility by involving participants in interactive workshops, zero-waste challenges, and campaign simulations.

• Health and Sustainability Connection: To highlight the relationship between personal well-being and environmental sustainability by promoting healthy, eco-friendly lifestyles through targeted workshops and community-focused initiatives.

During the mobility:

The week kicked off with team-building games and icebreakers to help everyone get to know each other and build a strong group spirit. Activities like the Blanket Game and creating a shared Social Contract helped set a positive and supportive tone for the days ahead.

Throughout the whole activity, participants took part in interactive workshops on environmental topics like zero-waste living, recycling, and personal responsibility. They got their hands dirty (in the best way!) during outdoor clean-ups and turned collected trash into beautiful artwork for a “Green Museum,” proving that sustainability can be creative too.

One day was all about active citizenship, where participants shared environmental challenges from their home countries and came up with action plans to make a difference. They even took to the streets for a local clean-up and explored the nearby city of Békéscsaba to learn about eco-friendly habits from locals.

Cultural exchange was a big part of the experience. Each evening, different countries hosted cultural nights, sharing their food, music, and traditions. It was a fun way to celebrate diversity and learn from one another.

Every day ended with reflection sessions where participants could think about what they learned and how they could use it back home. The week wrapped up with a warm and emotional farewell ceremony, where everyone received their YouthPass certificates, shared their achievements, and said goodbye — leaving with new friendships, unforgettable memories, and a strong motivation to make the world greener.

Impact at local level:

The Make the World Green Again exchange had a positive impact on the community in Mezőberény. Participants carried out clean-up actions, helping to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable habits. Their visible efforts showcased youth as active changemakers and encouraged local interest in eco-friendly initiatives. Cultural evenings added vibrancy to the town and highlighted the value of diversity. The exchange also sparked ideas for future projects through the creation of action plans and public visibility.

After the mobility:

Participants of Make the World Green Again strengthened their teamwork, leadership, and environmental skills while embracing creativity and cultural exchange. The program inspired them to adopt sustainable lifestyles and empowered them to become active agents of change within their communities.

Through workshops, hands-on activities, and intercultural evenings, participants deepened their understanding of sustainability, zero-waste principles, and active citizenship. They gained practical experience in organizing eco-friendly initiatives and developed strong collaboration and problem-solving skills. The exchange also highlighted the value of cultural diversity, encouraging open-mindedness and mutual respect.

This experience left a lasting impact, motivating participants to lead local environmental projects, promote green practices, and continue fostering intercultural dialogue and environmental responsibility beyond the exchange.

Dissemination

Slovakia