From Trash to Treasure:Upcycle for a Bright Future
The European Union and Jugend Für Europe provided support for this Erasmus+ Youth Project.
The From Trash to Treasure project was born from a shared vision to empower young people as agents of environmental change and to cultivate a generation that values sustainability, creativity, and conscious living.
In a world facing urgent ecological challenges, this project aims to equip youth with ecoliteracy, practical skills, and systems thinking, helping them recognize how individual and collective actions can drive meaningful transformation.
Through experiential learning, hands-on upcycling workshops, and intercultural exchange, participants explored innovative ways to turn waste into value — promoting a sustainable mindset that links creativity, community, and environmental stewardship.
To instill ecoliteracy, green awareness, and sustainable living principles among young people, empowering them to become environmentally conscious citizens who can inspire and lead positive change in their communities.
Specific Objectives
- To foster ecoliteracy and a foundational understanding of sustainability.
- To encourage systems thinking and critical analysis of interconnected global issues.
- To inspire active participation in addressing environmental challenges.
- To empower youth to educate, motivate, and influence peers through peer-to-peer learning.
- To promote upcycling and circular economy practices, reducing waste and promoting creativity.
- To shift consumer behavior from a disposable culture to one of resourcefulness and innovation.
Project Structure
The project consisted of two international mobilities:
- 🇩🇪 Germany Mobility – Focusing on Ecoliteracy & Systems Thinking
- 🇹🇷 Türkiye Mobility – Focusing on Upcycling, Sustainability & Environmental Action
Across both mobilities, participants engaged in energizers, expert-led presentations, Erasmus+ and Youthpass briefings, daily self-reflections, and final evaluations to consolidate learning.
Participants
- Total: 30 young participants from 6 different countries
- Age range: 17–30 years old
- Leaders: Minimum 25 years old, experienced in youth work
- Each country included 1 economically and 1 socially disadvantaged participant
- At least one participant per country took part in both mobilities to ensure continuity and peer mentoring
🇩🇪 First Mobility – Germany: Ecoliteracy & Systems Thinking
The first mobility aimed to develop participants’ awareness of environmental issues, ecological literacy, and holistic problem-solving skills. Activities focused on understanding the planet’s interconnected systems and personal responsibility in creating sustainable change.
Highlighted Activities
- Personal Environmental Values Exploration: Reflecting on individual values and their connection to global sustainability.
- EcoScramble Adventure: Engaging educational game reinforcing ecological concepts through group collaboration.
- Environmental Action Plan Game: Interactive strategy challenge addressing real-world ecological issues creatively.
- Eco-Mirror: Applying environmental research findings to practical sustainability contexts.
- EcoFlicks Fiesta: A cinematic session showcasing short films and videos on climate action and environmental awareness.
- Eco Impact Explorer: Interactive workshops teaching carbon and water footprint calculations and their global impact.
- Green Movie Dubbing: Fun creative dubbing of environmental films for awareness and entertainment.
- EcoVenture: Cultivating Green Minds at Bioland Farm: Field experience observing sustainable farming and eco-living.
- Eco-Innovation Challenge: Teams designed creative environmental solutions addressing local or global sustainability issues.
- The Wish List: Reflection session on environmental responsibilities and the impact of unconscious human behavior.
- Good Practices from My Country: Country presentations sharing national environmental success stories.
- Future Scenario Building: Imagining climate-related futures through storytelling and strategic planning.
- EcoChef Culinary Challenge – Zero Waste Edition: Cooking competition promoting zero-waste kitchen practices.
- EcoVillage Simulation: Designing a model of a sustainable community using circular principles.
- Calw Nature Explorer Geocaching Adventure: Outdoor digital treasure hunt combining nature exploration and learning.
- Nature Explorer Quest: Quest-based nature walk integrating reflection, ecology, and adventure learning.
🇹🇷 Second Mobility – Türkiye: Upcycling, Sustainability & Environmental Action
The second mobility translated ecological awareness into hands-on creativity and action, focusing on upcycling, sustainable design, and environmental activism.
Highlighted Activities
- EcoPoll Insight: Survey and discussion assessing participants’ current environmental awareness.
- Team Pictionary: Collaborative activity linking visual creativity with environmental terminology.
- EcoLens: Exploring the connection between upcycling and ecological awareness through photography and design.
- Reclaimed Creations Workshop: Practical upcycling workshop where participants built eco-friendly objects from discarded materials.
- Gallery of Upcycled Marvels: Exhibition of participants’ upcycled works for local visitors.
- Green Horizons: Expert-led talk on sustainability leadership and global green initiatives.
- Upcycle Unleashed: Multimedia challenge where participants produced creative awareness content (videos, social media campaigns).
- Rolling Blooms: Practical gardening session encouraging connection with nature and responsible resource use.
- Upcycle Innovators Workshop: Teams developed innovative product designs from waste materials.
- Eco-Friendly Beeswax Wrap Workshop: Learning to replace single-use plastics with reusable natural wraps.
- Trip to Aydınpınar Hiking Trail: Immersive nature experience highlighting local biodiversity and conservation.
- Sustainable Oasis Expedition: On-site exploration connecting theory with environmental practice.
- Eco-Wisdom Challenge: Group quiz testing acquired upcycling knowledge.
- Short Version of Upcycle Unleashed: Fast-paced creative session producing short social media videos advocating sustainability.
Impact
Participants left the project with:
- Enhanced ecoliteracy and understanding of environmental interdependence.
- Practical skills in upcycling, waste reduction, and sustainable living.
- Confidence to act as eco-ambassadors within their local communities.
- Experience in teamwork, leadership, and creative problem-solving.
- A strong network of international peers committed to sustainability and youth activism.
The project promoted a shift from consumerism to creativity, helping participants see waste not as trash — but as a resource waiting to be transformed.
The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
