Creative Youth Information Award category

Our Green Future: Innovation for Digital Youth, Zero Waste, and Sustainability

Title of the Project

Our Green Future: Innovation for Digital Youth, Zero Waste, and Sustainability

Organisation

Diyarbakır Provincial Directorate of National Education

WEBSITE

https://www.instagram.com/diyarbakirmem/

Project link

https://yesilgelecegimiz.com/

https://www.instagram.com/yesilgelecegimizescsol30/

Project dates

2024-01-01

2025-01-01

What is it about?

“This project was implemented under the European Solidarity Corps programme on behalf of the Diyarbakır Provincial Directorate of National Education.”

The main objective of the project was to raise young people’s awareness of environmental challenges, strengthen their digital competences, and enable them to develop concrete and innovative solutions in the field of sustainability. Within this framework, the project created a learning and production process supported by digital technologies. Young people took an active role in areas such as zero waste, water efficiency, and the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, the project aimed to strengthen young people’s active citizenship skills, sense of responsibility, and ability to create social impact. The target group consisted of young people who participated on a voluntary basis,especially those interested in environmental issues and willing to improve their digital skills. Participation of young people from different socio-economic backgrounds was encouraged. An inclusive approach was adopted to ensure equal involvement throughout the project.

A wide range of youth-led activities were carried out within the project. These included environmental and nature awareness actions,sustainability-focused workshops, creative and awareness-raising activities, trainings on artificial intelligence and the SDG, mobile application development activities, and the design and launch of the “Smart Valves Against Water Scarcity” mobile application. Dissemination and visibility activities were also implemented. All activities were regularly monitored during the project period. Outputs and results were shared with the wider public through social media, the project website, and various dissemination events. The project was designed and implemented as a youth-led initiative. Young people took active responsibility in all phases, including idea development, planning, implementation, product development, and dissemination. Coaches and mentors acted as facilitators rather than decision-makers and supported the learning process when needed. Non-formal education methods were applied throughout the project. Experiential learning, peer learning, and project-based learning approaches enabled young people to become not only participants but active producers and decision-makers in the entire process.

How is this project relevant to the specific category?

This initiative directly responds to the Creative Youth Information thematic category. Throughout the project, youth information activities were designed not as one-way information delivery, but as creative, experiential, and youth-led learning processes. Eurodesk was positioned as a key source for informing young people about European opportunities in an engaging and accessible way.

Young people gained information about environmental sustainability and European youth opportunities through workshops, nature-based activities, digital production processes, and mobile application development activities. Eurodesk information was delivered through interactive sessions, peer learning, creative workshops, and hands-on activities rather than traditional presentations. This approach helped young people connect the information to their daily lives and personal interests.

The design and implementation of the information activities were carried out with the active participation of young people. Young people contributed to decision-making processes by helping to shape the topics, methods, and tools used in the information sessions. In this way, Eurodesk functioned not only as an information provider but also as a platform where young people actively shaped their own learning processes.

To increase the project’s impact and visibility, Eurodesk-related activities were also carried out with both high school and university students. Dissemination and information activities expanded Eurodesk’s reach through a combination of face-to-face events, digital tools, and social media channels.

Overall, the initiative presents a strong example of Creative Youth Information, where innovative methods are used, young people’s interests are placed at the center, and information is co-created, shared, and experienced by young people themselves.

What was the impact of the project?

The project had a strong and multi-dimensional impact on both participating young people and the wider community. First and foremost, it empowered young people by placing them at the centre of the learning, decision-making, and production processes. By actively taking part in the development of the mobile application and the smart valve system, young people realised their own potential and became aware of what they are capable of achieving through technology, teamwork, and creativity.

The project significantly increased participants’ awareness of environmental challenges such as water scarcity, zero waste, and sustainability, while also strengthening their digital skills. Through hands-on activities, trainings, and workshops, young people gained practical experience in areas such as mobile application development, problem-solving, and innovative thinking. This process enhanced their self-confidence and motivated them to take an active role in addressing social and environmental issues.

The impact of the project extended beyond the direct participants through extensive dissemination activities. Within the scope of dissemination, the project was introduced to young people in high schools and universities, enabling a wider youth audience to learn about sustainability, digital solutions, and European opportunities. A dedicated project website and social media accounts were created and actively used to share project activities, outputs, and results with the public, increasing visibility and outreach.

These dissemination efforts contributed to raising awareness in the local community and encouraged other young people to engage in environmental action, digital innovation, and youth participation initiatives. Overall, the project not only enhanced individual competences but also fostered a sense of active citizenship, social responsibility, and belief among young people that they can create meaningful change in their communities.

Did the project have any green focus?

The project adopted a strong environmentally responsible approach, with a special focus on the Hevsel Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a key learning environment. This unique area was used to raise awareness of environmental protection, sustainability, and responsible use of natural resources through youth-led clean-up activities, nature walks, and environmental education workshops. All activities were aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and implemented using eco-friendly practices, prioritising digital tools and minimising paper use. A project-specific training on the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the SDGs was developed with project youth and later transformed into an online MOOC under the coordination of the Ministry of National Education, enabling around 800 teachers to complete the course and receive certificates. Additionally, the “Smart Valves Against Water Scarcity” mobile application and smart valve system were developed with active youth participation and are provided free of charge to schools and shared via the project website to ensure accessibility.

How did you ensure Eurodesk's visibility in your project?

Within the scope of this project, Eurodesk played a central role in creative and youth-led information activities. Through Eurodesk actions, the project was promoted to both high school and university students, expanding its overall impact. Active participation of young people was a core principle throughout all activities. Young people were not only involved in trainings and events but were also encouraged to contribute to decision-making processes. During information sessions, workshops, and launch events, Eurodesk was presented as a reliable reference point for European opportunities. By actively engaging in social media dissemination, face-to-face activities, and peer-to-peer information sharing, young people significantly.

Project highlights

https://yesilgelecegimiz.com/

Your project on video

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRjlaBJgq31/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPrcrUQAkcq/