HOPE
"Holistic Organisational Practices for Environment" was an Erasmus+ training course hosted in Vilnius, Lithuania. Over 8 days, 32 youth workers from 7 countries came together to explore sustainability, zero-waste strategies, and environmental leadership. Through practical workshops, intercultural exchange, and hands-on learning, participants were equipped with tools to inspire change in their communities.
Tackling Waste Management for a Sustainable Future
In today's world, waste management has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges. The Holistic Organisational Practices for Environment (HOPE) project, under the Erasmus+ framework, aims to empower youth workers with the tools and knowledge to address this issue effectively. But why focus on waste management? The answer lies in the staggering statistics and the urgent need for action.
The Scale of the Problem
According to the World Bank, approximately 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions stem from the annual processing and disposal of waste, contributing to 10% of the world's total emissions. Additionally, urbanization and industrialization have led to an increase in waste production, with global waste generation expected to rise by 70% by 2050.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (2024), global municipal solid waste generation reached 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 and is projected to increase to 3.4 billion tonnes by 2050 if consumption patterns do not change. Much of this waste stems from overconsumption, single-use products, and a throwaway culture deeply embedded in modern society.
Fast fashion, over-packaged goods, and the rising demand for electronics have significantly contributed to the crisis. For example, the Global E-waste Monitor 2024 reported that 62 million tonnes of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2023—an 82% increase since 2010—with only a fraction being properly collected or treated.
HOPE’s Mission
Rather than focusing on downstream solutions like recycling, the HOPE project emphasizes conscious consumerism as a proactive way to tackle waste. HOPE seeks to reverse this trend by equipping youth workers with strategies to foster awareness, mindfulness, and intentional consumption among young people. This includes encouraging habits like:
Buying second-hand or upcycled items
Choosing reusable over disposable products
Understanding minimalism and thoughtful purchasing
Supporting ethical and sustainable brands
The Path Forward
The project’s impact is being felt through some initiatives, such as conscious consumption workshops, and informative sessions that amplify real-life experiences of youth making sustainable lifestyle changes. By shifting the focus from waste disposal to waste prevention, HOPE is nurturing a generation that understands the true value of resources.
The goal is clear: waste less by consuming less. By reducing demand, we reduce production—and ultimately, reduce waste. Through education, practical tools, and a redefined mindset, HOPE is planting the seeds of a more conscious, sustainable future.
The Heart of Our HOPE Project
Did you know that globally, we generate over 2 billion tonnes of waste annually, with a vast majority stemming from unsustainable consumption habits rather than just poor disposal? Much of this waste ultimately ends up in landfills, incinerators, or even pollutes our oceans and natural habitats, causing lasting harm (World Bank, 2018). These urgent challenges inspired the Erasmus+ project Holistic Organisational Practices for Environment (HOPE), which united youth workers from European countries to address the root causes of waste: overconsumption and unconscious consumer behavior.
The Problem: A Growing Waste Crisis
Overconsumption is one of the main engines behind today’s global waste explosion. It’s not just about throwing things away—it’s about buying and using more than we truly need, which creates an unsustainable cycle of resource extraction, production, and disposal.
Here are some eye-opening facts:
These findings highlighted a critical issue: while awareness of environmental problems exists, systemic and behavioral hurdles prevent meaningful action.
Global Consumption Growth
Since 1950, global material consumption has increased more than 3-fold—from 22 billion tonnes to over 100 billion tonnes annually (UNEP, 2023). This rapid increase fuels growing waste volumes worldwide.
Fast Fashion Impact
The fashion industry produces over 92 million tonnes of textile waste yearly. A shocking 73% of all clothing ends up in landfills or incinerated, often within a year of purchase (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2024).
Electronic Waste
We generate 62 million tonnes of e-waste every year, but only 17.4% is formally recycled (Global E-waste Monitor, 2024). The rest often pollutes soil and waterways.
Food Waste
Approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food—about one-third of all food produced globally—is wasted annually, contributing massively to landfill mass and greenhouse gas emissions (FAO, 2023).
Why Focus on Youth Workers?
Youth workers play a vital role as changemakers. In our surveys, 90% of youth workers believed they could influence young people’s ecological habits, yet many felt unprepared to guide them towards conscious consumption. The HOPE project responded by equipping youth workers with:
Practical skills and strategies to promote responsible consumption, such as mindful purchasing, supporting sustainable brands, and reducing demand for disposable goods.
Creative methodologies like minimalism challenges and storytelling to engage young people in rethinking their consumption habits.
A digital guidebook packed with actionable advice and inspiring best practices to help youth workers spread these principles across Europe.
Join the movement! Download our HOPE e-booklet and start your zero-waste journey today.
Inside Miesto Laboratorija: Where Sustainability Meets Community in Vilnius
During our recent project, we had the incredible opportunity to visit Miesto Laboratorija (City Laboratory) in Vilnius—a place where sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, but a living, breathing philosophy. This innovative space blends a zero-waste restaurant, a community hub, and an eco-conscious workshop into one inspiring experience.
Here’s what we discovered—and why this place is a blueprint for the future of sustainable living.
A Restaurant That Feeds Both People and the Planet
Located in the heart of Vilnius, Miesto Laboratorija is more than just a café—it's a vibrant educational community center dedicated to promoting sustainable living and environmental consciousness. Established in 2015, it serves as a platform for sharing green ideas and practices that urban dwellers can easily incorporate into their daily lives:
Zero-waste kitchen – Leftovers are composted, scraps are repurposed, and even "ugly" produce gets a second life in creative dishes. Through meticulous measurement and prevention efforts, they achieved a remarkable 49.92% reduction in food waste, saving 924 kilograms of food from disposal.
Less environmental footprint – This effort not only cut waste but also significantly lessened their environmental footprint—saving 6.6 tons of CO₂ emissions, nearly 22,400 baths worth of fresh water, and 1,698 meals that could feed people instead of landfills.
Plant-forward menu – Reducing meat consumption without sacrificing flavor, proving eco-friendly dining can be delicious.
Community Engagement – Beyond its culinary offerings, Miesto Laboratorija hosts workshops, lectures, and events that promote sustainable living, urban gardening, and responsible consumption.
"We don’t just serve food—we serve responsibility." — Miesto Laboratorija’s team
A Building That Breathes Sustainability
The space itself is a masterclass in green design:
Solar panels & energy-efficient systems – Cutting reliance on non-renewable energy.
Water-saving tech – Low-flow faucets and smart usage to minimize waste.
Natural, recycled materials – From reclaimed wood tables to biodegradable decor.
More Than a Café: A Classroom for Change
Miesto Laboratorija isn’t just about eating—it’s about learning, sharing, and acting. The space hosts:
Workshops (composting, DIY upcycling, sustainable fashion)
Community discussions (climate action, circular economies)
Hands-on projects (urban gardening, repair cafes)
A Stage for Local Artisans & Changemakers
Sustainability isn’t just environmental here—it’s cultural and economic. Miesto Laboratorija:
Showcases local artists who work with recycled or ethical materials.
Hosts pop-up markets for eco-friendly brands and makers.
Creates a space where creativity and sustainability collide.
Technological solutions
Overview of technologies used for monitoring and preventing food waste
Description of organizational strategies implemented to reduce food waste
Detailed insights into food waste tracking and prevention tools
Explanation of management practices for food waste monitoring and reduction
Why This Model Matters
Miesto Laboratorija proves that businesses can thrive while doing good. It’s a case study in:
Profit + Purpose – Sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or success.
Community as Catalyst – Real change happens when people come together.
Small Actions, Big Ripples – One café can shift mindsets across a city.
Our Biggest Takeaway?
Visiting Miesto Laboratorija left us inspired—and convinced that the future of business is regenerative. Whether you’re a traveler, entrepreneur, or just someone who cares about the planet, this place is proof that a better world is being built, one meal, one workshop, one conversation at a time.
If you'd like to learn more, feel free to visit their website here 👇
https://miestolaboratorija.lt/
Have you been to a place like this? What sustainable practices excite you most? Let’s keep the conversation going! 🌱
If you wish to follow the events organized by Miesto Laboratorija and join their initiatives to enrich the community building, follow their instagram account to be informed:
https://www.instagram.com/miesto_laboratorija?igsh=cWZ4aTF5Ym5jNTh1
Here is the instagram page dedicated to the community fridge operated by Miesto Laboratorija:
https://www.instagram.com/bendruomenessaldytuvas?igsh=dnpieGMzdWRuYTJp
Follow to know the latest updates and be involved in this zero waste initiative!
Blog 1: Environmental Literacy Through Practice – Learning Beyond the Classroom
Traditional environmental education often focuses on theory—charts, statistics, and lengthy discussions about pollution. While knowledge is essential, the HOPE project introduced a revolutionary methodology that makes environmental learning interactive, experiential, and deeply relevant to young people’s lives.
What Is Environmental Literacy Through Practice?
Instead of asking youth to memorize facts about climate change or waste management, we integrated environmental learning into daily experiences—a picnic, a bus ride, a school lunch. These everyday moments became a platform for reflection, where young people could analyze their habits and recognize how their personal choices connect to larger environmental systems.
For example:
-A simple bus ride turned into a discussion about carbon footprints, public transportation benefits, and urban pollution.
-A picnic became an opportunity to examine food waste, single-use plastics, and responsible consumption.
-A school lunch opened conversations about supply chains, sustainable eating, and packaging waste.
These real-life scenarios ensured that learning felt natural, relatable, and immediately applicable, rather than abstract or disconnected.
Why Does This Method Matter?
-Young people often struggle to connect theoretical knowledge to their actual lives. By embedding environmental discussions into their daily routines, we ensure immediate personal engagement.
-Instead of passively receiving information, they observe, question, and discuss environmental impacts in a way that motivates change.
-Environmental literacy equips young people with the awareness and understanding to make informed decisions and advocate for sustainable practices in their communities.
By shifting the approach from passive learning to active discovery, the HOPE project is proving that environmental education is most effective when it’s woven into real life.
Blog 2: Skill + Impact Design – Learning with Purpose
One of the biggest challenges in youth work is ensuring that learning experiences go beyond knowledge acquisition. How do we make learning practical, engaging, and results-driven? The HOPE project tackled this challenge head-on with an innovative Skill + Impact Design methodology.
What Is Skill + Impact Design?
Every activity in the project was intentionally crafted to build a life skill while also delivering a tangible environmental outcome. This ensured that youth workers and participants not only learned but actively contributed to sustainable change.
For example:
Beach clean-ups didn’t just remove waste—they taught teamwork, leadership, and responsibility.
Eco-friendly art projects built communication and creativity skills while spreading awareness through visual storytelling.
Zero-waste workshops helped participants develop decision-making abilities while adopting practical waste reduction habits.
Why Does This Method Matter?
Young people gain essential life skills in teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving while simultaneously addressing real-world environmental issues.
The learning process becomes action-based, meaning participants see tangible results—whether it’s a cleaner beach, less plastic use, or community-wide awareness campaigns.
Participants aren’t just learning about sustainability—they are actively implementing it in ways that matter to them, reinforcing behavioral change.
This method transforms education from passive to active, ensuring that young people grow personally while making a positive environmental impact.
Blog 3: Micro-Actions with Macro Meaning: Small Steps, Big Impact
In a world where environmental challenges feel overwhelming, it’s easy to think that only large-scale initiatives can make a difference. But what if the most powerful change starts with small, intentional actions?
In our project, we believe in the power of micro-actions with macro meaning—simple, everyday choices that collectively lead to measurable environmental improvements. You don’t need a big budget or a complicated campaign to contribute. Sometimes, just one hour is enough to create a ripple effect.
Why Micro-Actions Matter
Accessibility – Not everyone can overhaul their lifestyle overnight, but everyone can spare 10 minutes to an hour for a meaningful action.
Scalability – Small actions, when multiplied by thousands (or millions) of people, create massive change.
Tangible Results – Even brief efforts—like planting a tree, reducing waste, or spreading awareness—have real, measurable impacts.
Micro-Actions You Can Do in Under an Hour
🌱 For the Planet
Plant a Tree (30 mins) – A single tree absorbs ~48 lbs of CO₂ per year.
Switch to a Reusable Bottle/Cup (5 mins) – Saves hundreds of disposable cups from landfills.
Meatless Monday Meal Prep (1 hour) – Cutting meat once a week reduces your carbon footprint by ~8%.
📢 For Awareness & Advocacy
Share an Eco-Tip on Social Media (5 mins) – Influence your network to adopt greener habits.
Email a Local Rep About Sustainability (15 mins) – Policy change starts with public demand.
Host a Quick Neighborhood Cleanup (1 hour) – Grab a friend and pick up litter in your area.
Final Thought: Start Small, Think Big
You don’t have to be perfect or make grand gestures to contribute. Micro-actions add up. Every choice matters. Every effort counts.
💡 What’s your next micro-action? Let’s make change simple, sustainable, and unstoppable—one small step at a time.
Project Highlights
Each day of the Erasmus+ training focused on a unique theme — from rethinking habits to hands-on sustainability practices. Here's a look at what we explored together.
1. What Was the Project About?
A sustainability-focused Erasmus+ training course that gathered 32 youth workers from 7 countries to explore environmental challenges and innovative solutions through the 6Rs: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Reform.
2. What Did Participants Do?
They joined workshops, simulations, group activities, intercultural exchanges, DIY sessions, and reflective practices. Each day was dedicated to a specific theme and included both theoretical and practical learning.
3. What Did They Learn?
Participants gained skills in environmental education, teamwork, creative problem-solving, public speaking, and zero-waste lifestyle strategies. They also learned how to implement sustainable methods in youth work.
4. What Was the Impact?
The training sparked new ideas, collaborations, and local eco-initiatives. Participants left empowered to take action in their communities, lead by example, and inspire others to live more sustainably.
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🌱 The Training Course “Holistic Organisational Practices for Environment”
The Erasmus+ training course “Holistic Organisational Practices for Environment” united 32 youth workers from Lithuania, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, and Romania. Held in Vilnius, Lithuania, this international experience combined education, collaboration, and action to address today’s environmental challenges through sustainable thinking and creative solutions. Together, we built new skills, shared cultures, and empowered a generation of changemakers ready to lead a greener future. We implemented this initiative with 1 goal in mind: To raise awareness about how unsuccessful was management strategies affect our lives directly and what we can do to stop it. Regardless of our social standing, class, beliefs, or ideals, we all must stand together in the face of environmental destruction and raising pollution in our planet.