Green Factor Day: Celebrating the Future of Sustainability Across Europe

Over the past few months, Green Factor project partners in several European countries have initiated the Green Facto Day event, a grand celebration of sustainability in the global landscape of efforts for a greener future.

The key objective of the Green Factor Days held in Greece, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic and France was to create a stimulating environment where creative minds shared and developed their ideas for a more sustainable future. In this context, Green Factor Day stood out, providing a platform for launching ambitious projects and forming a strongly sustainability-oriented community.

The events were conceived as a crucial opportunity to highlight the genius and creativity of young people committed to sustainability by providing a showcase where the younger generation presented innovative solutions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of human activities. Through presentations and discussions, young innovators had the opportunity to showcase their projects, gaining visibility and networking opportunities with companies, institutions and potential investors.

With Green Factor Day, the foundations were laid for an ongoing commitment to a future in which sustainability is transformed from a simple concept into everyday practice, joining the forces of individuals and organisations in the common goal of protecting and enhancing our environment.

The ‘GREEN Factor Day’ carried out by E-Juniors was held on 1 February 2024 in Paris and was organised in collaboration with Pro bono Lab and La Mission Locale de Paris. This day was dedicated to stimulating innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship among young people not currently in education or employment.

The event focused on environmental awareness and education, aiming to inspire participants to develop business ideas that can positively contribute to sustainability. Through a series of interactive activities, young people were guided in reflecting on how sustainable practices can be integrated into business models, highlighting the importance of environmental responsibility in new ventures.

The day focused particularly on the impact of human activities on the environment, exploring ways in which innovation can reduce this impact. Participants had the opportunity to explore different ways in which businesses can operate in a greener way, from reducing waste to promoting renewable energy and conserving natural resources.

GREEN Factor Day ended with moments of sharing and reflection, where participants were able to express their ideas and visions of a more sustainable future. The positive feedback from participants demonstrated the effectiveness of the event in motivating young people to consider and pursue business opportunities that respect and promote environmental sustainability.

The GREEN Factor Day of Permaculture Cantabria took place on 8 January 2024, and focused on promoting sustainability and environmental protection, especially among the younger generations. The main objective of the event was to stimulate a change of mindset towards sustainable behaviour on an individual and collective level.

During the day, participants had the opportunity to present a series of business ideas focused on sustainability. These proposals covered different aspects of everyday and industrial life, including creative recycling, waste-free cooking practices, innovation in the fashion industry to reduce fabric waste, and strategies to travel more sustainably. Another idea explored how to make the beauty industry greener through the use of eco-friendly products.

The event concluded with the awarding of prizes to the two best projects, which received as recognition an Erasmus mobility experience in Denizli, Turkey, designed to further strengthen their sustainability goals. This award not only recognised the excellence and innovation of the proposals, but also stimulated further developments in these areas, emphasising the importance of sustainable solutions and creativity in solving environmental problems.

The GREEN Factor Day organised by KVELOCE took place on 20 February in Valencia and was a great success, highlighting the importance of youth involvement in promoting sustainable practices. The event attracted young participants eager to share and develop their innovative ideas for a more sustainable future.

The day featured a series of presentations in which young people showcased their sustainability projects. These moments of sharing stimulated a lively exchange of opinions and suggestions, enriched by contributions from sustainability expert Alba Matamoros, who offered valuable feedback and guidance.

The highlight of the event was the selection of the winning project ‘Compostaje en el Pueblo de Carrícola’, which emerged as a shining example of how sustainable solutions can be successfully implemented at community level, receiving praise for its effectiveness in treating organic waste and producing quality compost.

This recognition underlined not only the practical impact of the initiatives proposed by the young people, but also the effectiveness of the event in bringing out and rewarding concrete solutions for environmental sustainability.

The ‘GREEN Factor Day’, organised by JO Consulting and held on 1 March 2024, marked a significant turning point for the emerging dialogue on sustainability and innovation. The event focused attention on a series of innovative ideas presented by young visionaries committed to turning their visions of sustainability into tangible realities.

During the event, participants had the opportunity to present their projects and received constructive feedback from a panel of experts. This exchange not only enriched the debate on specific initiatives, but also allowed the young innovators to refine their proposals, thus increasing their chances of success in the real world.

One of the most applauded projects was the ‘Sustainable Fashion Marketplace’, a proposal that aims to revolutionise the fashion industry through more sustainable practices. This idea stood out for its holistic approach and its ability to connect consumers, designers and companies under the umbrella of sustainability.

GREEN Factor Day was not only an opportunity to highlight these initiatives, but also emphasised the importance of continued support and recognition towards young people engaged in these efforts. Interactive sessions allowed participants to receive immediate feedback and refine their proposals, resulting in a number of promising projects ready to be launched.

The event demonstrated that, with the right support and resources, sustainable ideas can grow into influential movements for change.

GREEN Factor Day, held in Larissa, saw the presentation of several initiatives oriented towards environmental sustainability, each addressing a specific aspect of green entrepreneurship.

One of the ideas presented concerned the use of podcasts as a tool to increase environmental awareness. This project aimed to educate the public, especially young people, on sustainable practices and entrepreneurship opportunities in the green sector. Feedback highlighted the potential of digital media in reaching a wide audience and stimulating positive change through information.

Another significant project focused on eco-tourism, offering travel experiences that combined adventure and environmental education. This idea aimed to show how tourism can be managed responsibly, enhancing natural resources without damaging them, a proposal that met with great interest due to its innovative and environmentally friendly approach.

The last proposal examined during the event concerned the development of eco-friendly housing solutions. Through the use of sustainable materials and innovative designs, this project aimed to reduce the ecological footprint of homes while promoting a greener lifestyle. Again, feedback emphasised the importance of integrating sustainability into everyday life through conscious choices in construction and furnishing.

Overall, the GREEN Factor Day held by IED in Greece offered an overview of how different initiatives can integrate and promote sustainability in various sectors, with the common goal of building a more environmentally friendly future.

The Green Factor Day, held in Brno on 22 February 2024 and organised by Pelican, was an important opportunity for youth workers and NGOs active in the environmental sector to meet and exchange ideas. The event attracted participants interested in discussing and developing new initiatives to promote sustainability in the South Moravia region.

The day began with an overview of the GREEN Factor project, introducing the goals and ambitions of the programme. Afterwards, the participants had the opportunity to discuss and collaborate creatively. The result of these activities led to the formulation of three project ideas, each aimed at improving environmental impact through innovative and sustainable methods.

Proposals developed during the event ranged from an ecological gardening initiative using sustainable irrigation techniques and biological methods for pest control, to a project focused on recycling organic waste to produce compost and biogas, to an idea aimed at reinventing the approach of food waste in restaurants, turning it into a useful resource for local agriculture.

These ideas reflect a growing interest in sustainable practices that can be integrated into different aspects of everyday and industrial life, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental innovation. The day ended with a discussion and feedback session, during which participants were able to evaluate and reflect on the proposals, fostering a constructive dialogue and support network for future environmental initiatives.

GREEN Factor Day confirmed its status as an important initiative for the promotion of environmental sustainability at the European level, demonstrating the power of innovation and transnational collaboration in creating a greener future. During the event, which took place in different countries such as Greece, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic and France, the project stimulated an environment rich in creativity and exchange of ideas, where young entrepreneurs and innovators had the opportunity to present sustainable solutions and gain visibility.

The event not only provided a platform for debate and the sharing of innovative ideas, but also facilitated the formation of a network of contacts between young visionaries and potential investors, companies and institutions. This aspect proved crucial in accelerating the realisation and implementation of projects with a focus on reducing environmental impact.

The GREEN Factor Days held at the local level also laid the groundwork for future engagement, which is essential to transform sustainability from an ideal into a daily practice, involving communities in a collective effort towards a cleaner, more liveable world.