Buy Less, Choose Well, Make It Last - Building Sustainable Habits Through Learning and Creativity

Black Wood Environmental Biedrība participated as a partner in the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project "Buy Less, Choose Well, Make It Last" (Project No: 2022-3-HU01-KA152-YOU-000094019), coordinated by Young Nature Volunteers in Debrecen, Hungary, between 1–8 October 2023.

The programme began with interactive activities that encouraged participants to get to know one another and build a comfortable atmosphere for cooperation. Through creative ice-breaking exercises, everyone had the opportunity to introduce themselves in an engaging way while learning about fellow participants from different cultural backgrounds. These activities strengthened communication skills, increased self-confidence, and created a foundation of trust that supported teamwork throughout the mobility.

Participants also explored the Erasmus+ Programme in greater depth, learning about its objectives, priorities, and opportunities for young people. Discussions and collaborative learning exercises helped participants understand how Erasmus+ promotes personal development, active citizenship, and international cooperation while supporting projects focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility. This session encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and active participation in future international initiatives.

Another important part of the programme focused on project orientation and the principles that would guide the mobility. Participants received detailed information about the project's objectives, activity plan, safety procedures, and the zero-waste approach that would be followed during the exchange. They also discovered the purpose of the Youthpass Certificate and how it supports the recognition of learning outcomes, self-reflection, and the development of the eight key competences gained through non-formal education.

Creativity became a central learning tool as participants worked together to design posters using recycled and waste materials. By transforming discarded items into meaningful visual products, they demonstrated that sustainability and creativity can go hand in hand. The collaborative design process encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, artistic expression, and environmental awareness while reinforcing the project's message that responsible consumption and waste reduction begin with individual choices and collective action.