As we tie the final ribbon of this chapter of the Youth in Action project, we celebrate threefold: strengthened relationships, ecological impact, and shared learning.
The 5-partner Community of Practice formed a support network across the globe, while also engaging genuine participation of the communities on the ground. We measured the ecological impact from the physical implementations, through reduced waste, increased biodiversity, weaving of natural materials, safer shelter, and improved local food systems. And we ensured these journeys were documented along the way to offer back to the network as a source of knowledge and inspiration.
By combining a learning-by-doing approach and the support of dedicated experts, the learning communities achieved their goals to develop and implement ecological solutions on their premises. Collectively they reached almost 400 people (children and adults) and transformed their spaces into local demonstration sites, enabling others to replicate similar projects. And what’s more encouraging is that each project has secured ongoing commitment from those involved as well as the extended communities to continue and expand these practices.
As we reflect back on one year ago, the project partners found value in the inviation to experiment in front of the young people, to model the experience of learning by doing. This reinforces the understanding that while we have many tools and frameworks to reference, we as a global community do not have all the answers. This is one of the most crucial skills to foster in young people who are facing such uncertain futures. And still, within that, they are empowered to seek out those with knowledge and find their place in creating the future they desire.
They also appreciated the balance of structure and flexibility which provided a container of accountability within their own rythms. The diversity of collaborators, both in culture and skillset, allowed a space of curiosity and trust to emerge. And as we closed, there was a collective spark for a next chapter. How can we draw more in to this journey? How can we apply this newfound confidence to support others? After this global collaboration, can we return to our bio-region, and create more local hubs to continue to deepen and widen this work?
Read below, in their own words, what this journey has meant for them. And finally, witness the visuals as we showcase the before and after scenes of this transformative work.
“I reflect on how powerful this impulse was for us. Now we have a Permaculture process and have opened space for it every week to maintain the systems that we built. The biggest gift was to make that a priority for the community and integrate it into a practice that we will develop through time. This process also helped us map out the people around us who have knowledge, time, and willingness to invest in us and we developed close relationships with our mentors. We wanted our kids to see how there are people around the world who also align with caring for nature and community. They were super excited to know about the other partners in this project and it gave us an expansive view of the world. I’m so inspired by the leadership in each of the partners. I see so much heart.”
Camila, Uba Qynza
“For me, as a Russian person thinking about the planet, reflecting back on the time when Russians were considered enemies by others, this project was therapeutic for us. I’m really glad we were part of this team and the values that are important in this group are also important for me. The project and festival gathered Belarusian, Ukrainian, and Russian children, teachers, and parents from across the ex Soviet Union. We did it together without any problems which was a very healing experience. The ecological story was a symbol that we have to do what was needed.”
Mansur, School Garden
“One of the real delights for me was working directly with 2 teenagers and witnessing how invested they are in the project, and how much more they want to do if there weren’t other constraints. One of them will continue working on the project even after graduating this week. I’m really excited to keep working on our biodiversity as well as the other ways our school community can hold ourselves accountable. I’m grateful for the container to articulate and flesh out some of those goals. It’s been sweet to be alongside all the partners in this journey.”
Sarah, Springhouse Community School
“I appreciate the invitation to think back to the start of the project. Remembering the beginning of last year, how we were at such an exciting point, just opening the doors of the learning centre. This programme really helped to ground and hold me to a higher vision that we have for the space, especially through the challenging times when it was easy to be focused on the smallness of the project, rather than what we wanted it to expand it to. It has been a psychological boost as much as a material one. I also loved seeing everyone else’s projects to understand the even bigger picture.”
Tristan, Kuthumba
GEN Staff
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