Unearthing Sustainable Futures through Archaeobotany

“Roots and the Future: Environmental Sustainability through Archaeobotany” (Project No: 2025-1-IS01-KA152-YOU-000297094) was an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange hosted by the Green Behavior Youth Organization in Selfoss, Iceland, from 18 to 24 August 2025. The project brought together participants 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. Through non-formal learning, the exchange explored the links between archaeobotany, environmental sustainability, and intercultural cooperation.

Participants engaged in team-building activities, intercultural workshops, and practical sessions introducing the methods of archaeobotany. Hands-on plant studies, storytelling exercises, role-playing, and soil investigations demonstrated how ancient plant remains can reveal sustainable practices relevant to contemporary society. Collaborative tasks fostered critical thinking, communication, and scientific curiosity while encouraging respect for biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Educational visits and field experiences in and around Selfoss enabled participants to connect classroom learning with Iceland’s unique natural and historical landscapes. Explorations of museums, heritage sites, and protected areas illustrated the interplay between human communities and their environments across time, inspiring a deeper commitment to conservation and responsible stewardship.

Creative dissemination accompanied the learning process throughout the exchange. Participants produced posters, blogs, and social media content to share their discoveries, while reflection sessions and Youthpass activities helped them recognize the competences they had developed. The project concluded with exhibitions, intercultural celebrations, and collaborative evaluation, leaving participants empowered to apply the lessons of archaeobotany and sustainability within their own communities.