From 22 to 26 September 2025, we took part in Act Natural, an Erasmus+ training course in Šibenik, Croatia. The project brought together participants from Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, Italy and Spain to work on environmental protection and local climate action.
Each partner organisation sent four participants. Participants had to be at least 18 years old.
What was Act Natural about?
Act Natural focused on how youth workers can involve young people in environmental action in their own communities.
The programme covered climate change, sustainable development and environmental protection. Participants also exchanged methods for working on these topics with young people.
A big part of the project happened outside the training room.
Participants took part in clean-up activities in Šibenik and the surrounding area. Planting activities were also part of the programme.
The idea was simple. We talked about environmental problems, then went outside and worked on them.
Who took part in Act Natural?
The training brought together participants from five countries: Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, Italy and Spain.
Youth for Change represented North Macedonia.
The project was hosted by Udruga mladih "Mladi u EU" from Šibenik. The organisation has been working with young people since 2008.
Our partners in the project were Kancelarija za mlade Užice from Serbia, Oriel APS from Italy and Motus Europa from Spain.
With four participants expected from each partner, the project brought together around 20 participants from the five countries.
What did participants actually do?
Participants worked on environmental topics through discussions, practical activities and work in the local community.
Before travelling to Croatia, each national team prepared examples of sustainability and climate action from its own community. We also prepared a presentation about Youth for Change and our work in North Macedonia.
In Šibenik, the programme moved from discussion to practical work.
Participants joined clean-up activities in natural areas. They also took part in planting activities.
Another part of the project involved talking with people from the local community. Participants used these conversations to learn more about local needs and environmental issues.
We then looked at ideas that could be adapted to our own towns and organisations after returning home.
The programme also included intercultural activities. National teams brought food, flags and other examples from their countries to share with the rest of the group.
Where did we stay in Šibenik?
Participants stayed at Hostel Globo in Šibenik.
What did it cost to take part?
Participants were reimbursed for their travel costs according to the Erasmus+ Distance Calculator. The project followed the Erasmus+ guidelines for the mobility.
What did we work on during the training?
Climate change was one of the main topics of the week.
We also worked on sustainability and environmental protection. The programme looked at eco-friendly practices that can be used locally.
The practical part was important.
Cleaning natural areas gave participants a direct example of local environmental action. Planting was another activity included in the programme.
Participants also compared what was already happening in their own countries.
Each national team arrived with examples of sustainability and climate actions from home. That gave the group concrete cases to discuss instead of talking about environmental problems only in general terms.
What did YFCH bring back from Šibenik?
Act Natural gave our group examples of environmental activities that can be done directly with young people.
Clean-up actions were one example. Planting activities were another.
We also saw how environmental education can include conversations with people living in the community.
For us, this was useful because these activities can be adapted to youth work at local level. The project connected environmental topics with things young people can actually go outside and do.
At the end of the activity, participants received a Youthpass certificate documenting their participation and learning during the Erasmus+ training course.
How can you join the next YFCH project?
We regularly send young people and youth workers from North Macedonia to Erasmus+ projects in different European countries.
The requirements change from project to project. Act Natural was a training course for participants aged 18 or older. Other YFCH opportunities are youth exchanges with different age requirements.
Before applying, check the dates, country, topic and participant requirements in each open call.
Want to join one of our next projects? Check the Youth for Change website for new opportunities or contact us at contact@yfch.org.
Erasmus+ Programme
of the European Union
