From Milan to Iceland: Spreading Awareness on Air Pollution

After a transformative week in Milan for the Erasmus+ project “Hold Your Breath: Air Pollution”, our youth workers have returned home — inspired, motivated, and ready to take action. The project, hosted between 9–15 August 2025, united participants from Italy, Iceland, Lithuania, Hungary, and Turkey to explore the global issue of air pollution and develop local solutions.

Air pollution affects millions of people every day. Through interactive sessions and discussions, our team learned about:

The types and sources of air pollutants

The link between pollution, public health, and climate change

Strategies to promote eco-friendly habits and cleaner communities

The workshops encouraged critical thinking and collaboration, helping youth workers develop practical solutions adaptable to their local contexts — including Iceland.

One of the most impactful parts of the project was the digital communication workshop, where participants learned to create powerful online content to raise environmental awareness. Our Icelandic youth plan to launch a #CleanAirIceland social media campaign, sharing what they learned and inspiring others to adopt greener lifestyles.

The project also provided a platform for intercultural dialogue. Meeting peers from different countries allowed participants to understand environmental challenges from multiple perspectives and exchange creative ideas. This experience reinforced the importance of global cooperation in addressing shared environmental problems.

Back in Iceland, Green Behavior Youth Organization is committed to continuing the mission of “Hold Your Breath.” Together with our youth workers, we will:

Organize community discussions on air pollution

Collaborate with local schools to promote sustainable habits

Share resources and knowledge gained in Milan with Icelandic youth networks

The project’s spirit lives on — in every small step towards sustainability, every conversation started, and every young person inspired to protect our planet.

Discovering the Past to Shape a Sustainable Future

“Roots and the Future: Environmental Sustainability through Archaeobotany” (Project No: 2025-1-IS01-KA152-YOU-000297094) is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange hosted by the Green Behavior Youth Organization in Selfoss, Iceland, from 18 to 24 August 2025. The project brings together participants from Iceland, Türkiye, Georgia, Ukraine, and Croatia, represented by the Green Behavior Youth Organization, Kabatas Trade Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Progressive Youth KKLT, Youth Voice UA, and Brodoto.

Dynamic energizers encouraged movement, teamwork, and interaction, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm for the learning activities ahead. Participants were then introduced to the foundations of archaeobotany and explored how the study of ancient plant remains contributes to contemporary environmental sustainability and responsible resource management.

Preparatory tasks and a hands-on plant exploration activity allowed the group to investigate the role of plants in past societies. By examining evidence of historical plant use, participants developed research skills and gained a deeper appreciation of the connections between biodiversity, cultural heritage, and sustainable living.

Creative storytelling sessions invited participants to transform newly acquired knowledge into engaging narratives. This process strengthened communication skills and demonstrated how scientific information can be shared in accessible and inspiring ways.

Role-play and reenactment activities brought archaeobotanical discoveries to life, enabling participants to experience historical practices from a new perspective. Collaborative performance fostered empathy, critical thinking, and a richer understanding of the relationship between people and their environments across time.

Practical soil-based investigations concluded the learning sequence, providing direct experience with the materials and methods used in archaeobotanical studies. Reflection and group sharing reinforced the day’s key insights, highlighting the value of interdisciplinary learning for building a more sustainable future.

Unearthing Sustainability: First Steps into Archaeobotany and Intercultural Learning

“Roots and the Future: Environmental Sustainability through Archaeobotany” (Project No: 2025-1-IS01-KA152-YOU-000297094) is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange hosted by the Green Behavior Youth Organization in Selfoss, Iceland, from 18 to 24 August 2025. The project brings together young people from Iceland, Türkiye, Georgia, Ukraine, and Croatia, represented respectively by the Green Behavior Youth Organization, Kabatas Trade Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Progressive Youth KKLT, Youth Voice UA, and Brodoto. The exchange creates a collaborative space where participants explore environmental sustainability and archaeobotany while strengthening intercultural understanding and active citizenship.

Interactive icebreakers and talent-sharing activities encouraged participants to discover one another’s strengths, reflect on previous learning experiences, and appreciate the value of documenting competences through Youthpass. By exchanging skills and personal stories, the group established an atmosphere of trust and mutual support that will sustain the learning journey ahead.

Exploratory orientation tasks combined teamwork with practical problem-solving. Simulations inspired by archaeology and everyday situations familiarized participants with the local environment while fostering cooperation, communication, and confidence in navigating new surroundings.

Cultural workshops and discussions highlighted the opportunities offered by Erasmus+ and demonstrated how intercultural dialogue enriches personal growth. Participants shared symbols of their heritage, introduced traditional practices, and reflected on the transformative impact of international mobility experiences.

Creative dissemination began with the collaborative design of project posters and information materials. Through artistic expression, participants visualized the project’s goals and prepared resources that will support future outreach activities and engagement with local communities.

The experience concluded with collective reflection and an inspiring cultural fair. Recording memorable moments on a shared dream board promoted self-awareness and constructive feedback, while performances, traditional crafts, music, and cuisine celebrated the diversity of the partnership and strengthened the bonds among participants.