Harvesting Hope: Young People Unite in Iceland to Fight Food Waste

The Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project "Harvesting Hope: Tackling Food Waste" (Project No: 2024-1-IS01-KA152-YOU-000227481) brought together young participants from Iceland, Portugal, Croatia, Czechia, and Türkiye in Selfoss, Iceland, between 5–11 October 2024. Coordinated by Green Behavior Youth Organization, the project was created to address one of the world's fastest-growing environmental and social challenges: food waste.

With approximately 1.3 billion tons of food wasted globally every year while millions of people continue to suffer from hunger, the project aimed to raise awareness about responsible consumption, sustainable food management, and practical solutions to reduce waste. Through non-formal education, intercultural learning, and collaborative activities, participants explored how food waste affects climate change, natural resources, biodiversity, and global food security.

Throughout the mobility, young people learned about composting, sustainable consumption habits, food preservation techniques, responsible shopping, and creative ways to reduce household food waste. They also developed digital awareness campaigns, educational materials, and artistic exhibitions to inspire wider communities to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors.

Beyond environmental education, the project strengthened intercultural dialogue, teamwork, communication, language skills, and active citizenship while promoting the values and opportunities of the Erasmus+ Programme. By empowering young people to become conscious consumers and sustainability ambassadors, Harvesting Hope: Tackling Food Waste contributed to building a greener, more responsible, and more food-conscious future.