GREENTRACE Training Course in Lithuania

From March to June, the AY Institute held a series of Greentrace trainings in Lithuania, teaching six youth workers and educators how to develop impactful sustainability programs for young people. Over four intensive weekends, participants engaged in hands-on activities and discussions that enabled them to build a solid understanding of climate change, sustainability practices, and teaching methods.

Participants took part in workshops such as the Climate Fresk, where they studied the causes and effects of climate change through interactive activities. In the Biodiversity Advocacy workshop, they learnt how to communicate the importance of conserving local ecosystems. The trainings also included an experiential hike to strengthen youth workers’ connection to nature and encourage them to apply this knowledge in their curricula.

Moreover, participants discussed practical sustainability topics, including recycling and waste management. They also joined debates on energy consumption and transportation. A lecture on greenwashing taught educators how to recognise misleading ecological claims, allowing them to critically evaluate sustainability efforts in the public sector.

As youth workers progressed, they applied the Lego Serious Play technique to brainstorm and visualise their sustainability programs. In addition, participants studied the 5E model—a teaching approach that uses five stages (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) to make learning more meaningful and effective. By the end of the training, each participant had created their sustainability programs, which they are currently testing. After this phase, the programs will be described as activity cards and shared with you on our Greentrace platform, so keep an eye on our website to see what youth workers and educators have created.