The European project GYM - Greening Youth Minds, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, aims to strengthen the skills of youth workers and young Europeans in tackling the climate crisis through non-formal education and active citizenship. This eBook gathers the project's experience, its educational tools and direct testimonials from those who took part.
The publication opens with a reflection on the urgency of sustainability education as a response to the environmental crisis and the lack of meaningful spaces for youth participation. It introduces the GYM project's approach, which places value on the crucial role of youth workers.
At the heart of the project are the Training Kits (T-Kits): eight thematic modules covering topics ranging from environmental sustainability to digital impact, public health and civic engagement. These T-Kits were used in international webinars and local training sessions across partner countries (Italy, Greece, Spain and Ireland), involving both youth workers and young people.
A key section of the publication is dedicated to first-hand accounts: project partners, youth workers and participants share how the experience transformed their perspectives, strengthened their skills and sparked new motivation for climate action.
Finally, the project is presented not as a closed initiative, but as an open and accessible platform that offers free educational resources and promotes a growing European network of youth workers committed to sustainability education.