Sown Futures: Trapani hosts youth exchange on food circularity and sustainability
The youth exchange programme ‘Sown Futures for Circular Economy and Sustainable Food Systems’, which took place in Trapani from 17 to 23 May 2024, has successfully concluded. The initiative offered participants a whole week of engaging community learning experiences, respecting the principles of the circular economy shaped by Sicily's cultural richness.
After a brief introduction to the project, participants from five different countries (Italy, Turkey, Portugal, Greece and Romania) explored topics related to the environment, agriculture, circular economy and sustainable food systems through a comprehensive programme of educational activities and guided tours. Supported by the Community Foundation of Agrigento and Trapani, the participants had the opportunity to experience first-hand the application of these concepts in real contexts, discovering Sicilian agricultural culture and traditions.
The training programme also included contamination with active realities of the Trapani area, such as a visit to the Serraino Vulpitta's vegetable garden managed by Azione X OdV di Trapani. This allowed participants to start a conversation on urban regeneration, local urban farms, with a focus on sustainable food production. The composting workshop was also attended by operators and young people from the ‘Progetto Dopo di Noi’, which aims to foster the autonomy of disabled adults and plan their future. The workshop resulted in the creation of a womb composter that was given to the ‘Progetto Dopo di Noi’ to be used in their social gardens. The culinary aspects of Sicily were explored through the cooking workshop in collaboration with Euroform Trapani, with a subsequent tasting session to understand the path from field to table. Finally, the participants independently visited local artisans, workshops and companies committed to the principles of the circular economy in the area, thus fostering an exchange of good practices between those observed and those representative of their countries.
The ‘EcoUrban Exchange’ youth exchange represented for the participants a unique opportunity for personal growth, intercultural exchange and awareness-raising on topical issues such as environmental sustainability and food security. The participants were able to make new friends, expand their knowledge and develop a greater awareness of their role as active and responsible citizens.
The youth exchange took place within the framework of the project ‘Sown Futures for Circular Economy and Sustainable Food Systems’, selected within the Erasmus+ programme Key Action KA152-YOU - Mobility of young people.