Swap_Xchange

Duration: 15 months (2024 September – 2025 November)

Partner organizations: Brisa Intercultural Italia, UniGrowth Development Center

The Swap_Xchange project is supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

The pressing environmental challenges we face today have significant implications for the well-being of future generations. It is crucial that we, both individually and collectively, enhance our awareness of environmental responsibilities and adhere to sustainability principles. In Europe, textile waste poses a major environmental concern, with an average of 11 kilos of clothes discarded per person annually, predominantly incinerated or landfilled. This Youth Participation Activity project seeks to address this issue by promoting sustainable fashion practices and empowering young people through workshops, training, and clothing SWAP events.

Given the substantial waste generated by the fashion and textile industries, clothing SWAPs serve as a practical solution to promote waste reduction. These events encourage young people to adopt and share eco-conscious habits with their peers. Young people play a pivotal role in shaping the legacy we leave for future generations. We believe that young people have immense potential to hold decision-makers accountable and drive positive change.

Project Goals

  1. Raise Awareness:
  • Highlight the importance of achieving a Sustainable Green Europe.
  • Emphasize the urgency of addressing climate change through awareness campaigns and international exchanges.
  1. Develop Green Skills:
  • Equip young participants with knowledge and skills related to sustainability, activism, and green competencies.
  • Use non-formal education methods, including workshops, clothing SWAPs, and hackathons.
  1. Foster Eco-Conscious Behavior:
  • Encourage sustainable consumption and waste reduction.
  • Support young people in becoming environmental change-makers within their communities.
  1. Strengthen International Cooperation:
  • Enhance collaboration between the EU, Slovakia, Italy, and the EECA regions through joint environmental initiatives and partnerships.
  • Amplify the voices of young people from the EECA region in EU-Youth dialogues.
  1. Create Dialogue Platforms:
  • Facilitate interactions between youth and decision-makers at both local and European levels.
  • Enable young people to advocate for their interests and contribute to policy-making processes.

Project Activities

  1. Clothing SWAPs:
  • We will organize exchange events to promote the reuse of garments and reduce textile waste.
  • The project will provide participants with a cost-effective way to refresh their wardrobes.
  1. Workshops & Campaigns:
  • The youngsters together with project organizations will conduct educational sessions focused on sustainable lifestyles and environmental challenges.
  • The young participants will raise awareness about the impact of the fashion industry on the environment.
  1. Hackathon:
  • The project will host a collaborative event to develop innovative solutions for sustainable fashion.
  • Project partners will engage participants in creating practical green solutions.
  1. International Mobility:
  • The project will facilitate exchanges to share best practices and experiences in sustainable fashion.
  • We will promote cross-cultural learning and collaboration.
  1. Youth Engagement:
  • We will collaboratively work on empowering young people to take active roles in project management, event coordination, and advocacy.
  • The project as such will also develop competencies in communication, negotiation, digital proficiency, and project oversight.

Impact and Alignment with Erasmus+

By addressing textile waste and promoting sustainable fashion practices, this project empowers young people to become agents of change. It aims to cultivate a new generation of environmentally conscious leaders who can influence positive change within their communities and beyond. The project aligns with Erasmus+ priority “Environment and the fight against climate change,” fostering a greener and more sustainable future. Through these initiatives, we hope to instill lasting eco-conscious behaviors and strengthen youth involvement in creating a sustainable world.

 

Follow: @mysustainableguide and get inspired at www.mysustainable.space