JANE
Eco-Explorers: Youth in Action for Nature and the Environment
KA152-YOU-000220897
KA152-YOU-000220897
Empower MKO hosted international eco-awareness exchange through Erasmus+ project
From April 2nd to 7th, 2025, Alexandroupoli played host to a vibrant youth exchange project titled JANE – Eco Explorer, uniting participants from France, Cyprus, Turkey, and Romania along with local participants in a week-long journey of sustainability, cultural discovery, and environmental education. The project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.
The initiative welcomed young participants and youth workers from ASSOCIATION IS 33 (France) , T. INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF SPORTS AND EDUCATION LTD (Cyprus) , Osmangazi Ilce Milli Egitim Mudurlugu (Turkey), Asociatia Centrul de Training, Consultanta si Mediere Onesti (Romania), and Empower MKO (Greece). The program aimed to raise awareness about sustainable living practices, strengthen youth cooperation across borders, and promote the region’s cultural and ecological heritage.
The experience began with a city walk and visit to the Alexandroupoli Lighthouse, offering international guests their first glimpse into the region’s maritime history. This was followed by a welcome dinner, setting the stage for a week of collaboration and shared learning.
Throughout the program, participants engaged in:
Evenings were dedicated to intercultural presentations, games, and reflective discussions, allowing participants to share their customs, environmental concerns, and solutions from home.
Local Impact, Global Perspective "Projects like Eco Explorer bring international energy to our city while giving local youth the chance to engage in meaningful environmental action," said Nelli Davtyan, project manager of Empower MKO.
“It’s about empowering young people to become changemakers, not just visitors.”
The exchange highlighted Alexandroupoli’s potential as an educational and ecological destination. Participants left inspired by the natural beauty of the region, the warmth of local communities, and the practical steps they could take to live more sustainably.
From April 2nd to 7th, 2025, Alexandroupoli played host to a vibrant youth exchange project titled JANE – Eco Explorer, uniting participants from France, Cyprus, Turkey, and Romania along with local participants in a week-long journey of sustainability, cultural discovery, and environmental education. The project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.
The initiative welcomed young participants and youth workers from ASSOCIATION IS 33 (France) , T. INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF SPORTS AND EDUCATION LTD (Cyprus) , Osmangazi Ilce Milli Egitim Mudurlugu (Turkey), Asociatia Centrul de Training, Consultanta si Mediere Onesti (Romania), and Empower MKO (Greece). The program aimed to raise awareness about sustainable living practices, strengthen youth cooperation across borders, and promote the region’s cultural and ecological heritage.
The experience began with a city walk and visit to the Alexandroupoli Lighthouse, offering international guests their first glimpse into the region’s maritime history. This was followed by a welcome dinner, setting the stage for a week of collaboration and shared learning.
Throughout the program, participants engaged in:
- A nutrition seminar at the Ethnological Museum, connecting traditional Greek diets with modern sustainability.
- A visit to a local school, exploring the cultural roots of local cuisine through storytelling and presentations.
- Hands-on eco workshops, including the creation of reusable utensils and discussions on reducing single-use plastics.
- An interactive visit to the Historical Museum, where the youth reflected on trade routes and food evolution.
- An ecological tour of the Evros Delta National Park, highlighting the biodiversity of local wetlands.
- A guided visit to an olive oil factory, showcasing local production and green entrepreneurship.
Evenings were dedicated to intercultural presentations, games, and reflective discussions, allowing participants to share their customs, environmental concerns, and solutions from home.
Local Impact, Global Perspective "Projects like Eco Explorer bring international energy to our city while giving local youth the chance to engage in meaningful environmental action," said Nelli Davtyan, project manager of Empower MKO.
“It’s about empowering young people to become changemakers, not just visitors.”
The exchange highlighted Alexandroupoli’s potential as an educational and ecological destination. Participants left inspired by the natural beauty of the region, the warmth of local communities, and the practical steps they could take to live more sustainably.