Completed · April 2026

From the Climate Anxiety to Climate Activism and Well-Being

Málaga, Spain
March 30–April 5, 2026
24 participants
Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
Coordinator · Highlights e.V.

About this exchange

From the Climate Anxiety to Climate Activism and Well-Being was an Erasmus+ youth exchange in Málaga, Spain, coordinated by Highlights e.V. with partner organisations in Georgia, Poland, and Spain. The programme helped young people understand climate anxiety, care for their mental wellbeing, and turn environmental concern into practical and creative action.

Over the week, participants took part in non-formal workshops on climate anxiety and activism, upcycling and sustainable practices, local clean-up action, outdoor wellbeing activities, meetings with local environmental NGOs, and daily reflection. Art supported both emotional regulation and climate advocacy, and learning was recognised through Youthpass.

Participants came from Germany, Georgia, Poland, and Spain, including young people with fewer opportunities. The exchange strengthened peer connections for continued environmental action after returning home.

OBJECTIVES

What we set out to achieve

Deepen understanding of climate anxiety and how it affects young people
Explore community and international actions that respond to climate change
Balance mental wellbeing with meaningful environmental participation
Show how art can support emotional regulation and climate advocacy
Build a network of young people engaged in environmental issues
Strengthen leadership and communication skills for local climate action

ACTIVITIES

What we did

Climate anxiety and activism workshops
Non-formal sessions explored climate anxiety, psychological impact, activism as empowerment, and practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and art therapy.
Upcycling and sustainable practices
Hands-on workshops turned waste into useful and artistic products, emphasising creative approaches to waste reduction and sustainable consumption.
Local clean-up and environmental action
Group clean-up campaigns in public areas of Málaga gave practical experience of conservation, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Wellbeing activities in natural spaces
Outdoor wellness activities in places such as Parque de Málaga included yoga, meditation, and other relaxation practices to support long-term activism.
Meetings with local environmental NGOs
Presentations and networking with local organisations such as EcoMarb and Madre Coraje introduced existing initiatives and pathways into local action.
Daily reflection and group dialogue
Daily reflection sessions helped participants process learning, share experience, and plan how to continue climate action after returning home.
Youthpass recognition
Participants documented and reflected on learning through Youthpass recognition of competences developed during the exchange.

KEY RESULTS

What we achieved

24
youth participants from four country groups
The mobility brought together 24 youth participants from Germany, Georgia, Poland, and Spain, with four group leaders and two facilitators (30 people in the mobility group).
14
participants with fewer opportunities
Fourteen participants faced fewer opportunities linked to economic, geographic, refugee, or related barriers described in the project design.
Tools for climate anxiety and wellbeing
Participants gained practical tools for understanding climate anxiety and supporting mental wellbeing alongside activism.
Creative and local environmental action
The exchange included creative workshop practice, local environmental action in Málaga, and contact with local environmental NGOs.
Ongoing activist network
Participants left with a peer network for continued collaboration and local environmental initiatives after the mobility.