Environmental and Cultural Optimism (ECO) was a youth exchange project that aimed at acquainting young people with environmental issues, encouraging them to live healthier lifestyle close to nature as an alternative to sedentary living in the cities, to help them grow ideas to conserve the environment and to help build in them a European environmental consciousness through the implementation of various eco-initiatives, mental, physical and recreational activities.
ECO youth exchange united young people from Italy, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia, who spent 7 days in Maliovitsa, Govedartsi Village. They participated in many sessions and discussions dedicated to ecological and environmental issues such as global warming, sustainable food choices, healthier lifestyle, and more.
There were many outdoor activities, games, workshops, and non-formal learning exercises. We dedicated one evening to examining the stars with a professional telescope, thanks to our guest Nedislav Veselinov. The participants spent one night outdoor in camp, which they had established near the hut. We had 5 cultural nights through which we found out more about the culture, nature, food, and traditions of the countries involved in the project. During the last day, we had a special session about Erasmus+ Programme and made plans for future projects on the topic.
Location: Maliovitsa, Govedartsi Village, Rila Mountains
Duration: 7 days (21-28 August 2017)
Participants: 38 young people, aged 18-30
Countries: Bulgaria, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia
The project was funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ program.