Our Earth, our voice: Youth collectives for sustainable tomorrow

Koukouva Social Cooperative Enterprise (S.C.E.), is a multi-collective interdisciplinary group based in Kalamata, Greece. Our journey began in February 2019 with a vision to foster learning through experience and play, enhance the local cultural life, and promote the principles of respect, equality, cooperation, and solidarity. Koukouva was founded by a group of experienced professionals and active citizens who recognized the value of working together and uniting their skills to create positive change.

Through this project, we intent to combine environmental awareness, digital skills development and the nurturing of collective culture among young minds, who are poised to become the change-makers of tomorrow. We recognize their innate ability to shape the future, and our role is simply to provide a gentle nudge and equip them with the essential knowledge and tools they need. These days are all about harnessing their innate potential and empowering them to become the architects of a brighter tomorrow.

The project consists of two components:

1. Advance Planning Visit (APV): Two days dedicated to collaborative planning and fine- tuning with group leaders, where we will lay the foundation for our journey towards a more sustainable future.
2. Youth Exchange: 8 immersive days (excluding travel) filled with a dynamic blend of teamwork, artistic expression, eco/urban adventures, and digital skill enhancement.

Objectives:

Environmental Awareness: Foster a deeper understanding of environmental challenges and the importance of sustainability among young participants.

Digital Skill Enhancement: Equip participants with essential digital skills, including digital campaign development, basic video production, and stop-motion video techniques.

Collective Culture & Teamwork: Cultivate a sense of community and teamwork skills among youth, encouraging collaborative approaches to solving environmental issues.

Social Solidarity Economy: Provide participants with a basic understanding of social solidarity economy as a horizontal objective of the project.

Empowerment of Youth: Empower young individuals with the confidence, skills, and attitudes necessary to be proactive change-makers for a brighter and more sustainable future.

Promote Social Entrepreneurship: Encourage a passion for social entrepreneurship and instill values associated with it, including respect, equality, cooperation, and solidarity.
International Networking: Facilitate the creation of a network among participants based on shared values, promoting future collaborations across borders.

Target group:
- Participants: Young people (18-30years old) who are passionate about environmental issues and have a genuine interest in becoming proactive change-makers for a sustainable future.

- Group leaders: Professionals or volunteers who work directly with young people in various capacities -such as educators, mentors, or facilitators-, interested in gaining insights and skills related to the project's objectives and committed to passing them on to the youth they work with.

Costs and Logistics: Our Youth Exchange will be funded through the Erasmus Plus program. This means that accommodation expenses, as well as three meals per working day, will be fully covered. Additionally, travel costs will be reimbursed with a specific amount depending on
the distance traveled. Please do let us know if you're interested in using environmentally- friendly travel choices (Green Travel - bus, train, carpooling).

English will serve as the primary working language for all project activities.

Deadline: If you are interested please send us your partner information form (PIF) at koukouva.koinsep@gmail.com until 30/09/2023.