Sustainable Steps
InterAktion - Verein für ein interkulturelles Zusammenleben
InterAktion is an organization active in the field of human rights, sustainability, mental and physical health and inclusion of
marginalized people. InterAktion has been founded in the middle of the refugee influx in Austria and Europe, with an idea to
foster Integration to those with a different cultural background, bridging the obstacles and differences through intercultural
dialogue and skills improvement. In the meantime, the organization extended its scope of work, and grew from being
primarily a youth organization into an organization, which is in a constant search for opportunities to help the vulnerable
population. With the help of European Programmes we can locally support those, who would be otherwise left out from
participating in social, economic and political activities. Inclusion is in the core of everything what we do, this was also
recognized by the Austrian National Agency and in December 2022 we have been invited by the European Commission to
the closing event of the 35th anniversary of Erasmus+ in Brussels to present our approach to inclusion at one of the
sessions.
We focus on raising awareness about the global challenges and sustainable systems and help communities and individuals
understand sustainability as the product of a complex system that starts with personal and collective attitudes. We support
our target groups to recognize and understand the interconnected relationships between the economy, society and the
environment and the effects that actions in one area have on the other for them to be able to recognize and define their own
options and choices in contributing and creating more sustainable, and most importantly inclusive societies.
INTERAKTION has extensive experience in working with cross-discipline and cross-sector project teams to achieve a blend
of partners across different sectors bringing new ideas and methodologies to the table; to facilitate the work of partners in
areas of particular expertise, namely Youth Work, in order to enhance the quality of the overall outputs; and to involve
partners from different social and cultural settings to ensure that tools and resources developed are robust and transferable.
We are active in 3 Austrian cities:
We have our office in Trofaiach, a town in the rural area with a population of 10.000 inhabitants and several families with
migration background, including refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and asylum seekers from other countries from the Middle
East and African countries.
We also have an office in the centre of Graz, the second biggest city of Austria. Graz is a multicultural and multilingual city,
with 17 % of population (more than 46.000 people) having migration background.
One of our colleagues is living and working in Linz, a city in Upper Austria, where she is offering our workshops to migrant
families and young mothers.
Besides German and English, our colleagues speak languages: Romanian, Arabic, Kurmanji, Slovenian, Macedonian,
Croatian and Spanish. This language combination and a broad network of organizations and individuals helps us reaching a
wide target group. We have a team of 12 people, 4 of which volunteers.
Land Impresa sociale s.r.l.
LAND Impresa sociale s.r.l. is a Social Enterprise founded in December 2021, aimed at developing innovative and
sustainable agriculture and at implementing national and international projects focused on environmental protection and
ecological transition.
In particular, it has the aim to carry out promotion, development and innovation in the following areas:
- agriculture
- social inclusion and territorial cohesion
- professional training
- scientific research
- nature based learning
- formal and non-formal training
- intercultural dialogue
It has at its disposal a farm located in the province of Palermo, which will host an agriworking center, with both green and
smart working space for staff and wide outdoor space for innovative farming and for educational and cultural activities with
community and beneficiaries.
Land encourages the green revolution, we are currently living, pursuing the goal of innovation and business in various fields
including: rural development, climate change, environmental issues, international cooperation, community resilience,
intercultural dialogue, active citizenship, renewable energy, ecological transition, social and territorial.
ASSOCIACIO GLOBERS
Globers is Spanish non-profit cultural association that contributes to create long-term links between different persons and
organizations. Our NGO promotes concepts of development, inclusion and importance of volunteering culture .As well we
promote solidarity and tolerance to foster the social cohesion and cooperation among different UE's countries.
The institution focuses on institutional capacity-building for individuals and institutions through training programs,
conferences, workshops, as well as creation of partnerships with other institutions regionally and internationally providing a
platform for the exchange of experiences. With the aim to increase knowledge and capacities of leaders by strengthening
independent thinking, social tolerance, conflict management, free dialogue, and leadership.
We believe that sharing experiences among youth from different cultures, nationalities and with different background
enriches the mind-set of the youth and give them better chance to develop themselves as well as developing their society
which will eventually leads to development for our countries and international society. Therefore we offer specialized nonformal pedagogical courses and support to Youth Leaders local and internationally such us solidarity projects, project
management, journey preparation, seminars, study visits... And we offer international opportunities for young people, from
one-week group exchanges to one-year volunteering emplacements. As well we organize leisure and sport activities for
young people such as camps, summer's schools, and street’s animation.
Our motivation for this project is to learn practical team working tools to improve new ways of communication and evaluation
processes to analyze potentials for social inclusion, mutual respect and active group participation. This event will be a great
opportunity for networking, to establish partnerships, to learn about other countries experiences on the field and to build
synergies among countries, so that this will leave a visible footprint for future projects in common. We believe that this
project will be a great asset to our goal which is to be able to raise awareness of people from different backgrounds to social
issues as we have always been engaged with social transformations attempts. We believe that this topic will provide us with
insights on different approaches so we can continue leaving visible footprints in our neighborhood too.
WeLearn Limited
WeLearn Limited was established in summer 2023, as a response to the growing need for well-being education and training
among schools and youth centres in rural Ireland, where we are based. WeLearn works primarily across the counties of
Cavan and Meath, where the suicide rates are twice the national average (14.6/100,000, compared to the national average
of 7.6/100,000). However, these regions are also areas of outstanding natural beauty with the Boyne Valley
(https://www.discoverboynevalley.ie/) and the Cavan Burren Park (https://www.cavanburrenpark.ie/). As such, we believe
that through eco-therapy initiatives, we can support young people, youth workers, teachers, parents, and whole
communities, to address the well-being concerns and mental ill-health which has afflicted communities in this region in
recent years. WeLearn is currently delivering youth workshops which commenced in July 2023. We have a full programme
of youth initiatives which aim to bring young people back into contact with nature, through green therapy. We are currently
designing programmes to deliver in schools with young people, and our full programme for schools will launch in September
2024.
While we are a less experienced organisation in Erasmus+, we have a team of 3 full-time staff and 5 volunteers who are all
currently engaged in delivering our programmes to youth centres. Our staff have vast experience in developing and
delivering projects funded through Erasmus+ and other transnational initiatives, garnered from years of working in the youth,
community and voluntary sectors in Ireland, for different organisations. More details on the profile of our staff and volunteers
is provided below.
Our work in WeLearn is driven by the expertise and interests of our staff and volunteers. As such, as well as being
committed to supporting youth centres, schools, and whole communities to develop and maintain their own well-being
routines, we are also experts in providing digital learning solutions for a wide target audience, and in designing and
delivering climate education initiatives in schools, youth centres and adult education settings. Turning first to our digital
education expertise, our range of services include:
- Tailored multimedia creation, including educational videos, podcasts and audios, animation, and graphic design.
- Social media as a learning platform, including supporting youth workers and teachers to embed social media platforms into
their practice to provide more engaging learning opportunities for young people and students.
- Continuous Professional Development training for teachers, youth workers and adult educators to support these
professionals and volunteers to enhance their teaching skills and stay up to date with the latest educational practices.
- Facilitating virtual training sessions using available platforms to deliver live instruction and to encourage collaboration
between participants.
Related to the green competences of our team, WeLearn specialises in delivering transformative programmes that instil
environmental consciousness in young people. Through innovative and interactive workshops, we aim to empower students
and young people with the knowledge and tools to understand pressing climate issues and their role in fostering positive
change. By equipping the next generation with eco-awareness, WeLearn is sowing the seeds for a more sustainable and
environmentally responsible world. Youth programmes which are currently being delivered to youth centres in our region
include:
- Eco-conscious consumerism for young people.
- Sustainable practices in youth work for youth workers.
- Green therapy training for youth workers.
- Biodiversity workshops and fieldtrips for young people and youth workers.
Through the Sustainable Steps project, we will contribute to the work of the consortium with our expertise in ecoconsciousness, green therapy, and the training programmes we have developed to promote the circular economy
Nacekova hisa
The NGO, established several years ago, is dedicated to the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage in northeastern Slovenia. Comprising volunteers passionate about environmental causes, the organization actively promotes and
raises awareness about organic farming, construction with natural materials, and the environmental impacts of modern
societies. While currently expanding their involvement in Erasmus+ activities and developing networks, their primary focus
remains at the local level.
The NGO collaborates closely with primary and secondary schools, organizing workshops on environmental sustainability.
The emphasis extends beyond youth engagement, as the organization is also involved in adult education, providing
workshops for the elderly and unemployed. A novel initiative involves using gardening as a tool for social inclusion, reflecting
their commitment to developing new methods for community engagement.
The organization's primary trainer, a farmer, gardener, herbalist, and experienced mentor, leads activities from their certified
"didactic farm," featuring a central cob house. The farm serves as an educational hub, teaching students environmentally
conscious gardening practices and hosting workshops on preparing traditional meals using local and seasonal ingredients.
The organization strives to align its projects not only with the Erasmus+ program but also with the United Nations' 17
Sustainable Development Goals.
A notable aspect of their approach is the emphasis on cultivating an understanding of sustainability as a complex system
influenced by personal and collective attitudes. The NGO seeks to raise awareness among young people about sustainable
systems, encouraging them to recognize the interconnected relationships between the economy, society, and the
environment. By fostering this understanding, participants are empowered to make informed choices and contribute to the
creation of more sustainable societies. The organization's overarching goal is not only to participate in Erasmus+ activities
but to make a meaningful impact in line with global sustainability objectives.
In the last years the NGO organised a series of workshops co-financed by Slovenian Ministry of Education, Science and
Sport to offer a form of structured, planned, informal and collaborative learning. The primary target group of the workshops
are people aged between 50 and 75. The secondary target group are members of the younger generations (aged 15 – 30),
as this ensures the transfer of knowledge and experience to the younger generations. With both target groups we have
organised “Herbal Workshops” as well as “Gardening Adapted to Climate Change Workshop" (each lasting 30 hours). The
primary goal of our herbal workshop was to cultivate a deeper interest in medicinal plants. This includes educating
participants on identifying and using medicinal herbs correctly, harvesting them, and employing these herbs in natural
cosmetics, like making creams and tinctures. Additionally, it introduces participants to wild, edible foods found in nature, like
forests and meadows, covering their identification, qualification, proper harvesting, and culinary use. This segment of the
workshop also involves compiling and exchanging recipes. Alongside the herbal workshop, the “Gardening Adapted to
Climate Change Workshop" aims to raise awareness about climate change and its implications for gardening practices.
Held at the didactic organic farm in Zgornja Korena, this workshop educates participants about organic farming principles
and vital permaculture practices. These practices include using screens, composting, crop rotation, and protecting plants
from diseases and pests using mixed cropping methods. For 2024 The Slovenian Ministry of Education, Science and Sport
has also approved funding of another three series of workshops (each of 40 hours).
Gemeinsam Gärtnern
Gemeinsam Gärtnern, as a non-profit agricultural association with a social character, is deeply rooted in the philosophy of
fostering community, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship. At the heart of its operations is a vegetable garden that
serves as a communal space for young people, families, and individuals with disabilities to come together and engage in
collective gardening. This unique setup provides an enriching platform for members of different backgrounds and abilities to
learn, work, and grow together.
With 15 active members, Gemeinsam Gärtnern is more than just a gardening association; it is a vibrant community that
promotes a deeper connection with nature. The organization conducts various workshops centered around gardening and
sustainable living. These workshops are designed not only to educate participants about growing their own vegetables but
also to imbue them with a sense of responsibility towards the environment. The hands-on experience of nurturing plants
from seed to harvest is a powerful tool in teaching the values of patience, care, and sustainability.
An integral part of the association’s mission is to offer people the opportunity to reevaluate and rethink ecological
relationships. This is achieved through the diverse array of vegetables, herbs, and shrubs cultivated in the garden, which
create a biodiverse ecosystem. The presence of bees, kept on-site, adds another layer to this ecological tapestry. The
buzzing bees not only play a crucial role in pollination, contributing to the health and growth of the garden, but they also
serve as a living example of the importance of these creatures in our ecosystem.
The Gemeinsam Gärtnern association was founded in 2015 with the idea of simply spending time together in nature. The
philosophy of the association is "give what you like and take what you like" and encourages everyone involved to garden
together without hierarchical structures and power structures, far away from paid work, to tend bees, cultivate mushrooms
and worms as compost helpers, grow vegetables and herbs and organise parties together. Outside the city, but easily
accessible by public transport, the field is a place of freedom to give new meaning to life in and with society. Food
production is not carried out for profit, but to give children and adults the wonderful feeling of being able to build a
meaningful relationship with the food on their plates. The acquisition of knowledge about plants and nature takes place with
intrinsic motivation; nobody has to do anything, but everyone wants to achieve something together. Working together in the
field strengthens mental and physical health and the people involved experience a sense of belonging in a community. If the
motivation to work is lacking, it is also fine to simply linger in the field and have a snack together, for example. The members
of the association come from all kinds of professional backgrounds and stages of life. Children and adults try to live and
work here in an intergenerational and inclusive way. The aims of the Gemeinsam Gärtnern association are diverse and lowthreshold. One of our main aims is to promote communication between people with and without disabilities and to break
down mental and physical barriers. Through fun, community and information, we want to help people to take responsibility
for their own food production. The aim is to raise awareness and interest in sustainable, regional, seasonal and ecologically
sound farming methods. In these challenging times, our fields are a place of peace.
About the project
The Sustainable Steps project stands out for its innovative three-pronged approach to sustainability, addressing
environmental, economic, and social aspects within youth work settings. The integration of these comprehensive
sustainability concepts into youth work practices highlights the forward-thinking nature of our proposed project. Particularly
innovative is the introduction of the 30-day Sustainability Challenge Toolkit, featuring 30 micro-learning resources. This
toolkit serves as a flexible and engaging educational tool, supporting both young people and youth workers in learning about
the environmental, economic, and social pillars of sustainability. Providing bite-sized, actionable content through this toolkit
will ensure that the learning content is targeted and accessible to young people, and through the actionable outcomes from
each micro-learning resource, we expect that this Toolkit will ensure sustained learning and young people.
In Sustainable Steps, we also plan to develop the Inclusive and Sustainable Gardening Programme, adding another layer of
innovation. Through practical workshops, young people and youth workers will be supported to develop their knowledge and
skills that span environmental, social, and economic sustainability within the context of gardening. This hands-on approach
will not only foster a deeper understanding of sustainable practices but will also provide a tangible and immersive learning
experience. The emphasis on inclusivity will also ensure that diverse groups of young people, including refugees and
migrants, can actively participate in these programmes, promoting social integration and a sense of community. The
combination of the 30-day Sustainability Challenge Toolkit and the Inclusive and Sustainable Gardening Programme
demonstrates the project's commitment to innovative, multifaceted learning experiences that go beyond traditional methods,
making sustainability education engaging and applicable to real-world contexts.
Environment and Climate Change:
The Sustainable Steps project is committed to addressing the priority of “Environment and the fight against climate change”
through a comprehensive and holistic approach. By focusing on environmental sustainability, the project will actively engage
young people and youth workers in each partner country, promoting eco-friendly initiatives and fostering environmental
awareness. The development of resources supporting the use of natural materials and sustainable construction practices
will not only contribute to reducing the environmental impact but will also educate participants on responsible building
methods. The emphasis on gardening activities aligns with environmental stewardship, encouraging young people to
connect with nature and adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. The inclusive gardening programmes further
contribute to the fight against climate change by promoting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity. By involving diverse
groups, including young refugees and migrants, the project also addresses social sustainability, fostering a sense of
community and shared responsibility for the environment. The project's commitment to economic sustainability aligns with
environmental goals.
YOUTH – Promoting Active Citizenship and Young People’s Sense of Initiative
The Sustainable Steps project contributes to the priority of promoting active citizenship and young people's sense of
initiative by fostering a holistic approach to sustainability within youth work settings. By targeting environmental, social, and
economic sustainability, the project encourages young individuals to take an active role in shaping a sustainable future.
Through initiatives such as building with natural materials and engaging in gardening activities, the project empowers young
people and youth workers to not only adopt sustainable practices but also take the initiative in promoting environmental
awareness within their communities. The focus on green youth initiatives demonstrates a commitment to nurturing a sense
of initiative among participants. By encouraging them to actively participate in sustainable projects, the project aims to instil
a sense of responsibility and ownership in addressing environmental challenges. The project's attention to economic
sustainability aligns with promoting young people's sense of initiative. By exploring economic viability in agriculture and
providing skills and knowledge to empower participants economically, the project encourages young individuals to take the
initiative in creating sustainable economic practices. Integrating economic principles into youth work ensures that young
people are not only aware of environmental and social issues but also prepared to take practical steps toward sustainable
and economically viable solutions.