We consume more than ever.
Fast fashion, overconsumption, and waste are part of everyday life. But most young people are never shown how these systems really work or how they can influence them.
Why this project exists
Clothes are thrown away faster than ever
Waste systems feel distant and invisible
Young people are rarely included in decisions
Many want to act, but don’t know where to start
About the project
A-WEAR connects young people with real environmental challenges and gives them the tools to understand, question, and act.
What is A-WEAR
This is not just about awareness.
It is about doing.
Focus on waste, fast fashion, and sustainability, connecting daily life with European policies, combining learning with real action, promoting youth voice and participation
About the project
A-WEAR is built as a journey. Participants will move from understanding the problem, to taking action, to sharing their ideas publicly. Throughout the project, young people will not just learn about sustainability. They will experience it, question it, and actively shape solutions.
Participants from Austria and Madeira will come together during international mobilities to share perspectives, learn from each other, and build a common understanding of environmental challenges. These exchanges are not only about travel. They are spaces for collaboration, reflection, and co-creation.
Participants will explore how waste and fast fashion affect different regions, from urban environments to island ecosystems, and work together to design ideas that respond to both contexts.
They will also take part in intercultural activities, strengthening communication, teamwork, and openness to different ways of thinking.
Participants will explore how waste and fast fashion affect different regions, from urban environments to island ecosystems, and work together to design ideas that respond to both contexts.
They will also take part in intercultural activities, strengthening communication, teamwork, and openness to different ways of thinking.
In both Austria and Madeira, participants will engage in hands-on local actions that connect theory with reality.
They will visit waste management facilities to understand what happens behind the scenes, take part in clean-up actions, and explore the impact of consumption on their immediate environment.
Workshops on slow fashion will introduce alternatives to fast fashion, including clothing swaps, upcycling, and creative reuse. These activities will help participants rethink everyday habits and discover practical ways to reduce waste.
At the same time, young people will meet local stakeholders, including municipalities and organisations, gaining insight into how environmental decisions are made and where they can intervene.
They will visit waste management facilities to understand what happens behind the scenes, take part in clean-up actions, and explore the impact of consumption on their immediate environment.
Workshops on slow fashion will introduce alternatives to fast fashion, including clothing swaps, upcycling, and creative reuse. These activities will help participants rethink everyday habits and discover practical ways to reduce waste.
At the same time, young people will meet local stakeholders, including municipalities and organisations, gaining insight into how environmental decisions are made and where they can intervene.
A key part of the project is turning ideas into action.
Participants will co-create awareness campaigns, artistic installations, and communication materials that express their views on waste and sustainability. Using creativity as a tool, they will transform complex topics into accessible messages for their communities.
They will also take part in structured dialogues and discussions, where they will develop concrete proposals and recommendations addressed to decision-makers.
This process allows young people to move from learning about problems to actively contributing to solutions.
Participants will co-create awareness campaigns, artistic installations, and communication materials that express their views on waste and sustainability. Using creativity as a tool, they will transform complex topics into accessible messages for their communities.
They will also take part in structured dialogues and discussions, where they will develop concrete proposals and recommendations addressed to decision-makers.
This process allows young people to move from learning about problems to actively contributing to solutions.
The project will culminate in public events in Austria and Madeira, where participants will present the outcomes of their work.
These events will include artistic exhibitions, presentations, and community engagement activities. Young people will showcase their projects, share their experiences, and communicate their ideas directly to local communities, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
The final events are not just a conclusion. They are a moment where youth voices become visible, heard, and taken seriously.
These events will include artistic exhibitions, presentations, and community engagement activities. Young people will showcase their projects, share their experiences, and communicate their ideas directly to local communities, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
The final events are not just a conclusion. They are a moment where youth voices become visible, heard, and taken seriously.
- International Exchanges
- Local Activities
- Creative and Civic Engagement
- Final Public Events
International Exchanges
Participants from Austria and Madeira will come together during international mobilities to share perspectives, learn from each other, and build a common understanding of environmental challenges.
These exchanges are not only about travel. They are spaces for collaboration, reflection, and co-creation. Participants will explore how waste and fast fashion affect different regions, from urban environments to island ecosystems, and work together to design ideas that respond to both contexts.
They will also take part in intercultural activities, strengthening communication, teamwork, and openness to different ways of thinking.
Local Activities
In both Austria and Madeira, participants will engage in hands-on local actions that connect theory with reality.
They will visit waste management facilities to understand what happens behind the scenes, take part in clean-up actions, and explore the impact of consumption on their immediate environment.
Workshops on slow fashion will introduce alternatives to fast fashion, including clothing swaps, upcycling, and creative reuse. These activities will help participants rethink everyday habits and discover practical ways to reduce waste.
At the same time, young people will meet local stakeholders, including municipalities and organisations, gaining insight into how environmental decisions are made and where they can intervene.
Creative and Civic Engagement
A key part of the project is turning ideas into action.
Participants will co-create awareness campaigns, artistic installations, and communication materials that express their views on waste and sustainability. Using creativity as a tool, they will transform complex topics into accessible messages for their communities.
They will also take part in structured dialogues and discussions, where they will develop concrete proposals and recommendations addressed to decision-makers.
This process allows young people to move from learning about problems to actively contributing to solutions.
Final Public Events
The project will culminate in public events in Austria and Madeira, where participants will present the outcomes of their work.
These events will include artistic exhibitions, presentations, and community engagement activities. Young people will showcase their projects, share their experiences, and communicate their ideas directly to local communities, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
The final events are not just a conclusion. They are a moment where youth voices become visible, heard, and taken seriously.
What will happen during A-WEAR
About the project
A-WEAR gives young people the space, skills, and confidence to take part in shaping their communities.
Stronger participation in democratic life
Better communication and teamwork skills
Direct contact with decision-makers
Long-term engagement in sustainability
Why it matters
Partners
Who is behind A-WEAR
The project is implemented by organisations experienced in youth work, sustainability, and non-formal education.
Green Heroes Austria
Green Heroes Austria is a Vienna-based organisation focused on environmental action and youth participation.
Through workshops, campaigns, and community initiatives, they help young people understand sustainability and take an active role in shaping their communities.
In A-WEAR, they coordinate activities in Austria and support young people in developing ideas, skills, and proposals connected to environmental and civic engagement.
Associação My Madeira Island
Associação My Madeira Island is a non-profit organisation based in Madeira, working on youth empowerment, sustainability, and non-formal education.
The organisation creates accessible opportunities for young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, to learn, participate, and grow.
In A-WEAR, they lead the implementation in Madeira, connect participants with local stakeholders, and support the visibility and impact of youth-led actions.
Results
What the project will create
Together, participants will create real outputs that go beyond the project.
A youth-friendly guide with simple, step-by-step tools, templates, and ideas to organise clean-ups, clothing swaps, and awareness activities.
Short videos and real stories capturing participants’ experiences, learning, and perspectives on sustainability and youth participation.
Concrete proposals developed by participants and shared with municipalities and stakeholders to support more sustainable and inclusive decision-making.
Creative works and visual campaigns made from waste materials to communicate messages and engage communities.
- Practical Guide on Environmental Action
- Videos and Youth Stories
- Policy Recommendations and Youth Proposals
- Artistic Installations and Campaigns
Practical Guide on Environmental Action
A youth-friendly guide with simple, step-by-step tools, templates, and ideas to organise clean-ups, clothing swaps, and awareness activities.
Videos and Youth Stories
Short videos and real stories capturing participants’ experiences, learning, and perspectives on sustainability and youth participation.
Policy Recommendations and Youth Proposals
Concrete proposals developed by participants and shared with municipalities and stakeholders to support more sustainable and inclusive decision-making.
Artistic Installations and Campaigns
Creative works and visual campaigns made from waste materials to communicate messages and engage communities.
All project outputs will be published on this website as an open, accessible resource for learning, inspiration, and future action.
Be part of it
The project is just getting started.
The project is implemented by organisations experienced in youth work, sustainability, and non-formal education.
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Disclaimer: The European Union support for the projection of this publication does not constitute any endorsement of the content which reflects the views only of the authors. and the Union cannot be held responsible for a n use which mav be made of the information contained therein.
