Connecting Heritage, Nature, and Community in Selfoss

“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. Participants from Iceland, Türkiye, Georgia, Ukraine, and Croatia are represented by the Green Behavior Youth Organization, Kabatas Trade Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Progressive Youth KKLT, Youth Voice UA, and Brodoto.

Mindfulness and nature-connection practices encouraged participants to begin their activities with a renewed sense of calm and appreciation for the surrounding environment. Gentle reflection and time outdoors highlighted the importance of personal well-being as a foundation for responsible environmental action.

A dedicated dissemination session empowered participants to share project achievements through social media and collaborative blogging. By communicating their experiences to wider audiences, they strengthened their digital competences and contributed to raising awareness of archaeobotany and sustainable living.

An extensive exploration of Selfoss and its surroundings brought local history and natural heritage into focus. Encounters with museums, riverside landscapes, geothermal sites, and protected areas allowed participants to connect archaeological knowledge with Iceland’s living environment, deepening their understanding of how cultural heritage and ecological stewardship complement one another.

The project’s concluding evaluation celebrated individual and collective accomplishments through exhibitions, interactive feedback activities, and thoughtful discussion. Presenting outcomes, exchanging constructive comments, and reflecting on personal growth reinforced the value of cooperation and lifelong learning.

The completion of Youthpass certificates provided an opportunity for participants to recognize the competences they had developed throughout the exchange. This final act of self-assessment affirmed the lasting impact of the experience and inspired continued engagement with sustainability and intercultural dialogue.