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The Career Gardeners project reached a key stage this week in Verona. Partners met to share final results, fine-tune the project's online platform, and ensure the tools are ready for youth workers across Europe.

The meeting included feedback sessions, refinements to the digital resources, and discussions on making the tools as practical and accessible as possible. Partners also explored future collaboration and ways to build on the project's outcomes after its official conclusion.

The project partnership includes Open Education Centre, Südwind, Gryd, Fundación Madre Coraje, Progettomondo, and Stowarzyszenie CZ-ART. Together, these organizations have created practical resources and activities designed to inspire young people to consider careers that contribute positively to society and the environment. With the platform now fully refined, youth workers across Europe will soon have access to interactive tools, guides, and activities, and the partners are committed to promoting the project's resources widely to ensure they reach communities where they can make the greatest impact.

– "Career Gardeners has been an inspiring journey so far," said one project coordinator. "This January meeting allowed us to showcase our progress, learn from our partners, and plan the next steps to ensure youth workers develop their knowledge and competences, and young people continue to receive support in making conscious career choices."

The Open Education Centre from Sofia, Bulgaria, has recently shared inspiring results from the "Career Gardens" sessions held during the summer at the "Otec Paisij" and "Atanas Burov" high schools in Haskovo. Led by youth workers Maria Kuncheva, Krasimira Damjanova, Kristina Yordanova, and Rumen Valchev, the sessions engaged students aged 15–18 in redefining their professional futures through an environmental lens.

Using the project's specialised Toolkit, participants took part in interactive exercises such as "Building Our Home," which focused on identifying personal strengths and fostering peer support. The workshops introduced the concept of "Green Guidance," encouraging students to align their career aspirations with "biosphere consciousness" and sustainable practices. To deepen this connection, students explored how their individual talents could contribute to a greener economy and more resilient local communities. These discussions helped bridge the gap between abstract environmental goals and concrete professional pathways.

Furthermore, the training emphasised the importance of teamwork and social responsibility, demonstrating to students that a successful career can also be a force for good in the world. By integrating these values, the programme provided a holistic roadmap for personal and professional growth in an era of climate change.

From 8–12 December 2025, Częstochowa is hosting a transnational meeting gathering all partners of the Career Gardens project.

The agenda includes presentations summarising the project's results so far, along with training sessions dedicated to conflict resolution and career guidance. Partners are also taking part in workshops focused on assessing the project's impact, collecting new ideas for future initiatives and planning strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of Career Gardens tools and activities.

The programme also includes a visit to IV High School named after H. Sienkiewicz, where participants will meet students who took part in workshop sessions and local event in Częstochowa. Partners will present their organisations and raise young people's awareness of green jobs as well as the green and social projects they implement by briefly introducing their activities.

The meeting serves as a platform to deepen international collaboration, exchange good practices and strengthen the skills of youth workers involved in the project. It also enables partners to coordinate dissemination efforts and plan follow-up actions that will support the continued growth and impact of the Career Gardens initiative. 🌿

As part of the CAREER GARDENERS project, a local activity engaged young people in direct dialogue with companies on sustainability-related challenges within their enterprises. With the support of stakeholder Interface Wien, meetings were organised with ÖBB and IKEA, giving participants the opportunity to question corporate practices related to environmental responsibility, supply chains, labour conditions, energy use, and waste reduction. Young people prepared these encounters together with facilitators through online coordination meetings and a dedicated WhatsApp group, where they developed questions and identified key issues in advance.

The experience culminated on 28 November 2025 with the production of a radio programme at Radio Afrika TV, featuring a female environmental scientist originally from Nigeria. During the broadcast, participants reflected on green jobs, the gap between sustainability commitments and implementation, and the importance of aligning careers with personal values. 

A guided visit to the Austrian National Broadcaster (ORF) further enriched the activity, highlighting the role of media in shaping public narratives on sustainability. The activity proved highly effective, successfully combining learning, critical reflection, and real-life action, and will conclude with the public broadcast of the programme, amplifying young people's voices and perspectives.

Career Gardeners recently worked with 24 second-year students from the Intermediate Vocational Training programme in Pharmacy Technician, aged 17 to 29. The project consisted of four two-hour sessions spread over two days, on 14 and 21 November, providing a dynamic and interactive learning experience.

Although students were required to attend through a class arrangement, they approached the workshops with curiosity and engagement. As activities moved from discussion to practice, participants were impressed by the methodology and energy of the sessions, with some even requesting to continue the process weekly.

Focusing on environmental awareness and improving the sustainability of the pharmaceutical sector, the sessions encouraged students to explore concrete ideas for local action and engage with relevant stakeholders. The workshops sparked reflection on the intersection of professional choices and environmental responsibility, helping participants understand how to balance their green values with job opportunities.

The impact was significant: 91.7% of participants reported that Career Gardeners supported them in aligning their environmental values with future career paths, demonstrating the programme's effectiveness in fostering awareness, motivation, and active citizenship among vocational students.

Career Gardeners recently hosted a series of workshops in Italy, bringing together motivated young participants to explore sustainability, climate action, and personal development.

One group included six university students, aged 21 to 26, who participated in a one-day, five-hour session. Socond group, the high school initiative CopaGreen, involved nine students aged 14 to 19 across two four-hour sessions. Both groups engaged in six carefully structured sessions, designed to balance activities, discussions, and self-reflection.

The workshops offered participants the opportunity to gain knowledge on climate issues, reflect on their future career choices, and consider how they can positively impact society. Activities fostered curiosity, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, encouraging participants to think like active citizens and explore sustainable practices in their schools and communities.

By combining interactive activities with reflective conversations, the Career Gardeners workshops empowered young Italians to enrich their knowledge, strengthen competencies, and envision sustainable futures.

Career Gardeners is happy to announce that our popular Shareables are now available in six languages, making our resources more accessible than ever across Europe.

The Shareables are designed as practical, engaging tools to inspire professional growth, spark reflection, and provide actionable tips for career planning. With this update, they can now reach a wider audience, breaking down language barriers and supporting learners, educators, and professionals on their career journeys.

Users can now access the Shareables in English, Bulgarian, German, Spanish, Italian, and Polish. From bite-sized advice to thought-provoking prompts and interactive tools, the Shareables are perfect for sharing on social media, incorporating into classroom activities, or using within organizations to foster personal and professional development.

By offering these resources in multiple languages, Career Gardeners continues its mission to create inclusive and accessible tools for youth work and career guidance, helping individuals across Europe grow, connect, and thrive in their professional lives.

To download new materials, visit the Shareables section.

The local sessions and workshops carried out in Austria as part of the CAREER GARDENERS project offered young people an engaging and participatory learning journey focused on sustainability, values, and green careers. 

Held between August and October 2025 at the Südwind Academy in Tyrol and Interface Wien, the programme involved 22 participants aged 15–34 and combined 33 hours of training with interactive methods from the Career Gardeners toolkit.

Through activities such as world distribution games, pub quizzes, value-mapping exercises, and discussions on green jobs, participants explored how personal values connect to sustainable career choices. Creative and experiential elements, including artistic workshops, excursions, and inputs from activists, further enriched the learning process.

Both young people and youth workers reported very positive feedback, highlighting the inclusive atmosphere, strong engagement, and practical relevance of the sessions. The workshops strengthened participants' confidence, communication skills, and awareness of sustainability as a guiding principle for their future paths.

On 3 October 2025, Villa Buri in Verona hosted a local participative event called Cultivating the future. The event was dedicated to stakeholders committed to guiding young people toward sustainable careers. Bringing together 22 participants from schools, associations, and the local community, the meeting combined moments of Silent Play with a lively participative discussion.

The dialogue was structured around three thematic tables: Seeds, focused on the values and mindsets needed to embed sustainability across all careers; Weeds, which explored obstacles such as lack of awareness or systemic barriers; and Nourishment, highlighting the vital role of schools, families, and community organizations in supporting young people's choices.

The event proved highly engaging, as participants including stakeholders learned about experiences, tools, and perspectives, collectively reflecting on how to contribute to the change promoted by the CG project.

A clear message emerged from the discussion: cultivating the future also means questioning the present, embracing change, and having the courage to make conscious life and career choices. The organiser, Progettomondo, together with young people and stakeholders will continue nurturing this fertile ground of ideas, experiences, and possibilities 🌿

The Career Gardeners YouTube channel offers a carefully prepared collection of videos focused on careers, learning, and personal development in the context of sustainability and social responsibility.

The channel features selected interviews, short educational materials, and conversations with practitioners who share their experiences and reflections on work, skills, and career choices. Rather than providing a large volume of content, the channel focuses on clarity, relevance, and practical value for viewers.

It is designed for young people exploring their career paths, as well as for educators, trainers, and career advisors looking for thoughtful resources to support their work.

Whether you are at the beginning of your career, supporting others as an educator or career advisor, or simply looking for inspiration, the Career Gardeners YouTube channel provides valuable tools and perspectives to help you grow.

Subscribe to stay up to date with new videos and join a community that believes careers can be purposeful, sustainable, and fulfilling.

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@CareerGardeners

On 18 June 2025 Association Cz-Art and IV Secondary School (IV LO) in Częstochowa concluded the international Career Gardeners project with a discussion panel titled "Często-chowa potencjał. Let's Gather It Together."

The event brought together students, teachers, city representatives – including the vice mayor and council members – as well as universities and social organisations. At the panel, young people shared their ideas for improving the city, sparking lively discussions full of energy, creativity, and collaboration.

Career Gardeners was not a typical careers guidance programme. It encouraged young people to explore their values and reflect on how their future careers could contribute to a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable world. Through workshops participants developed key soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking. They learned about the UN Sustainable Development Goals, met social and environmental activists, and created micro-projects for Częstochowa focused on culture, health, and education - areas in which these young people see their future.

You can find more about this event at Serwis Samorządowy PAP

Career Gardeners recently partnered with the 4th Henryk Sienkiewicz Secondary School in Częstochowa to deliver a series of workshops for 18-year-old students, blending career guidance with hands-on community action.

The project began by introducing students to sustainable development, green jobs, and key competencies, sparking reflection on their values and career interests. Participants then selected focus areas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, choosing education, health, and culture as the themes for their initiatives.

Guided through brainstorming and mind-mapping exercises, the students developed micro-projects designed to make a tangible impact in their hometown. The culmination will be a local event, where they will present their ideas to community stakeholders and engage in inspiring career conversations with local professionals, exploring real-world career paths and values.

Throughout the project, students strengthened communication, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, and civic engagement, while gaining confidence and a sense of agency. The initiative empowered them to take action, grow personally, and contribute positively to the Częstochowa community.

We are happy to share that CareerGardeners is now on Instagram! You can find us at @careergardeners.

What will you find on our profile?

Who We Are

Stories about our mission: empowering professionals to guide youth toward meaningful, inclusive careers.

Inspirational Quotes and Interesting facts

Thought-provoking messages that reflect our values - youth empowerment, inclusion, sustainability.

Explore Our E-learning Course and Toolkits

Posts highlighting each of our 6 training modules and toolkits with practical takeaways and learning goals.

From these early posts, it's clear we're committed to building an Instagram presence that's interactive, practical, and community‑centred Instagram presence - bringing our values of co‑design and empowerment straight into everyday practice.

From April 1st to 4th, 2025, the Career Gardeners project hosts an enriching training course in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz, Andalusia), designed to equip youth workers with the essential tools for creating and implementing Career Gardens.

These Career Gardens will take place across five countries between April and November 2025, offering young people participatory workshops and events in collaboration with local stakeholders. The aim is to guide the new generation in aligning their career paths with their personal values and sustainability aspirations.

The training in Jerez features a variety of engaging activities, including in-depth workshops focused on the Career Gardeners toolkits. Additionally, youth workers have the opportunity to learn from the inspiring work of Spanish organizations such as Madre Coraje and Futuralga.

This course presents an exceptional opportunity for participants from different European countries to collaborate, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights to better guide young people toward a sustainable future. 🌿

We are excited to announce the launch of the Career Gardeners Toolkits! These toolkits provide youth workers with a comprehensive collection of practical methods and exercises designed to enhance their work with young people.

The toolkits include hands-on activities, strategies, and best practices to help youth workers effectively engage and support young people in their life and career journeys. Covering topics such as sustainability and climate justice, conflict resolution and soft skills development, work-life balance and valuable careers, these resources offer concrete ways to inspire and empower the next generation.

Developed in collaboration with our project partners, the toolkits ensure relevance and adaptability across different contexts, making them a valuable addition to any youth worker's toolkit.

Don't miss out on these powerful resources - start using them now! 

Access the toolkits at: https://careergardeners.eu/en/toolkits

The Career Gardeners project introduces an innovative online course designed to provide youth workers with the knowledge and tools to inspire and support young people in their career paths.

Youth workers will gain practical tools and strategies to address challenges like sustainability, climate justice and climate anxiety, adapting to change, developing soft skills and work-life balance. The course equips participants with critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills, enhancing their ability to guide young people toward careers aligned with personal values and sustainability goals.

This self-paced program, currently available in English, will soon be offered in five additional languages, broadening its reach.

By participating, youth workers can inspire and support the next generation in navigating today's complex career landscapes while fostering meaningful change.

Join the Interactive eLearning Course: https://careergardeners.eu/en/mod-en

Are you passionate about empowering young people to build meaningful, sustainable careers that are in line with their values and the urgent need for sustainable transformation?? The Erasmus+ Career Gardeners project offers you a unique opportunity to make a real difference!

We're calling on youth workers, educators, careers advisers, and youth coaches to join a transformative journey. This fully funded program combines international training in Spain (April 2025) and Poland (autumn 2025) with practical tools and resources to work with young people and create lasting impact.

As a participant, you'll:

• Learn to lead workshops that inspire young people.
• Mentor youth toward sustainability-focused career paths.
• Connect with like-minded professionals from across Europe.

Don't miss this chance to inspire the next generation while gaining invaluable skills and experience.

Be part of the change - join Career Gardeners today!

For more info download the invitation.