Volunteer for Mother Earth

From September 1st to September 9th, 2023, Dasein Berlin hosted the “Volunteer for Mother Earth” youth exchange in Struga, North Macedonia. This Erasmus+ funded initiative brought together 48 participants from six different countries—North Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Türkiye, and Germany—united by a common mission: to inspire youth to volunteer and make a positive impact on the environment.

During this vibrant exchange, participants engaged in various activities aimed at fostering community involvement, sharing their volunteering experiences, and raising awareness about active citizenship. The project emphasized the importance of addressing climate change and developing essential skills through volunteer work.

Key Objectives of the Project:

Encourage community engagement and volunteerism
Share and exchange experiences of volunteering
Raise awareness about the role of active citizenship
Tackle climate change through local and collective actions
Develop critical skills through hands-on volunteer activities
Activities Throughout the Program:
Participants took part in a variety of team-building exercises, icebreakers, and non-formal education sessions on Erasmus+ and the Sustainable Development Goals. Practical eco-actions, such as a beach cleanup, highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship. The group also had the chance to explore the rich cultural heritage of Ohrid and engage in intercultural nights that fostered unity and shared learning across different cultures.

The impact of “Volunteer for Mother Earth” was profound. The participants left the program with new skills, heightened awareness, and a deepened commitment to environmental and community activism. They returned to their home countries empowered to implement what they had learned, inspiring others to take positive action in their own communities.

This project underscores the transformative power of volunteering and the importance of collective action in tackling global challenges like climate change.