Adresse
Wendenstraße 10,
99089 Erfurt, Thüringen

Öffnungszeiten
Dienstag bis Freitag: 10:00 - 18:00

Wastecademy 2022

A successful project for environmental protection and sustainability 

In the summer of 2022, the trans-European youth exchange of the Wastecademy took place in Erfurt- a project that brought together numerous young people from all over Europe from August 17th to 26th. Funded and cofinanced by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union as well as funds from the state of Thuringia, the event offered participants a valuable opportunity to intensively address the challenges of environmental protection and sustainable development

Focus topics: Waste management and sustainability

The Wastecademy aimed to promote exchange on important environmental issues within the European Union, with a particular focus on waste management and sustainable practices. In a series of workshops, lectures and interactive activities, participants were familiarized with current problems and solutions in the areas of waste avoidance, recycling and the circular economy.

The workshops covered a wide range of topics, including practical approaches to waste reduction, the importance of recycling and the principles of the circular economy. Experts from various areas and local initiatives gave insights into their work and presented innovative solutions for sustainable waste management

Practical insights and local initiatives

In addition to the theoretical content, the Wastecademy also offered participants the opportunity to gain practical experience on site and to network with local initiatives. A highlight of the program was a visit to the first waste incineration plant in Erfurt, where participants learned more about the technical and ecological aspects of waste recycling.

Another exciting item on the program was the zero-waste cooking competition, where participants were able to demonstrate their creativity and commitment to a sustainable lifestyle. The aim was to cook with regional and seasonal ingredients and produce as little waste as possible – a challenging but also very educational undertaking.

Exchange and participation

A key feature of the Wastecademy was the active participation of the participants. They had the opportunity at any time to contribute their own ideas, hold discussions and get involved in planning the activities. This not only promoted intercultural exchange, but also a deeper understanding of the different perspectives and challenges that exist in the respective home countries.

The event provided an ideal platform to develop and test ideas that can be implemented far beyond the exchange, also in one’s own everyday life and in the respective communities.

Conclusion

The Wastecademy in Erfurt was a complete success and an impressive example of how European youth projects can make a significant contribution to sustainable action. By promoting intercultural dialogue and dealing with practical environmental issues, the participants were not only able to gain valuable knowledge in the field of waste management and sustainability, but also became active ambassadors for environmental protection.

Thanks to the support of Erasmus+ and the state of Thuringia, important impulses were given for European cooperation in the field of environmental education. The Wastecademy has shown that young people play a key role in shaping a more sustainable future – and that Europe has a strong network of committed young people who work together on solutions.