Legacy of the Soil: Building a Sustainable Future Through Safe Food and Agriculture

From 28 April to 5 May 2025, the Erasmus+ Mobility of Youth Workers project “Legacy of the Soil: Sustainable Agriculture and Safe Food” (2024-3-ES02-KA153-YOU-000260774) was held in Gijón, Spain, under the coordination of Stowarzyszenia Polish Healthy Life Association. Bringing together youth workers from Türkiye, Spain, Hungary, Poland, and Iceland, the project aimed to strengthen international cooperation while promoting knowledge exchange on sustainable agriculture, safe food systems, climate change, and environmental sustainability.

As part of the programme, participants took part in the “Word Search” activity, where they worked in teams to reconstruct quotations and messages related to climate change, organic farming, healthy nutrition, and sustainable food. Through this dynamic and interactive exercise, participants reinforced their knowledge while improving teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. The daily cycling workshop further highlighted the importance of sustainable transportation, encouraging participants to explore environmentally friendly alternatives that help reduce carbon emissions and support healthier lifestyles.

Educational sessions focused on the principles of permaculture, sustainable production systems, and the responsible use of natural resources. Participants explored approaches that prioritize environmental balance while ensuring access to safe and healthy food. Through presentations, discussions, and question-and-answer sessions, youth workers exchanged experiences and good practices from their respective countries, gaining valuable insights into sustainable food systems and ecological responsibility.

The project also emphasized experiential learning through creative and practical activities. During the “Creative Exploration: Sculpting Sustainability” workshop, participants transformed recycled paper into handmade sculptures, experiencing firsthand how waste materials can be repurposed into valuable creations. In the “Connecting with Natural Life” simulation activity, participants explored ecosystem balance, species adaptation, and the impacts of climate change through interactive scenarios, helping them better understand the interconnectedness of nature and human actions.

The project concluded with a vibrant intercultural evening where participants from Türkiye, Spain, Hungary, Poland, and Iceland presented their countries’ agricultural traditions, local products, folk dances, and cultural heritage. Reflection and evaluation sessions provided space for participants to assess their learning journey and discuss how they could apply the acquired knowledge in their future work. Overall, the project strengthened participants’ environmental awareness while fostering intercultural dialogue, international cooperation, and a shared commitment to sustainable agriculture and safe food practices.