First international meeting of the Erasmus+ multiactivity project “Social Enterprise and Natural Capital: an Opportunity for Young People and Local Communities”
Set in the rural heart of Abruzzo, Italy, this Study Visit brought together youth workers, educators, and volunteers from eight European countries to explore real-life examples of how natural capital can foster youth entrepreneurship and social inclusion. Participants visited local cooperatives, environmental centers, nature reserves, and family-run enterprises, immersing themselves in sustainable practices rooted in community life.
From Tornareccio’s mosaic open air museum, where public art celebrates bees and biodiversity, to the Casa Natura Fontecampana, an environmental education centre, the visit offered diverse models of how ecological awareness can shape local identity and economic resilience. The group also explored Serranella Nature Reserve, a thriving artificial wetland and critical bird habitat and met the fourth-generation family of Tieri Beekeepers, a wonderful example of organic honey production and environmental advocacy.
Throughout the visit, each participant was engaged in documenting key practices and insights, forming an editorial board tasked with reporting the outcomes. These contributions are compiled in a shared dossier, laying the groundwork for the next project steps, including a training course and youth-led local initiatives. The study visit not only offered inspiration but also concrete tools and partnerships to help young people become drivers of sustainable change in their own communities.
