Youth and Sustainable Tourism: A Collaborative Journey in Fuerteventura
From January 12 to 19, 2025, a dynamic group of 24 young individuals from Madeira (Portugal), Romania, Bulgaria, and Fuerteventura will converge on the picturesque landscape of Fuerteventura. Their mission? To engage in meaningful discussions about the imperative for environmentally responsible tourism among European youth, particularly within the Canary Islands and the broader Macaronesian region. This initiative falls within the framework of the 11 Youth Goals of the European Union, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in shaping sustainable futures.
Venue and Support
The young participants will be hosted at the Escuela Residencia de Hostelería y Turismo de Esquinzo. Their endeavor receives substantial backing from the local government, specifically the Cabildo de Fuerteventura, under the leadership of Adargoma Hernández from the Department of Youth. Marlene Figueroa, coordinator of the Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve, also plays a crucial role in this project. Dubbed ‘TurisClima,’ this Erasmus+ initiative is promoted by the AIGB Association, further enhanced by the collaboration of the Pájara City Council.
Insights from Project Coordination
Juan Francisco Rodríguez Báez, the project coordinator, emphasized the unique opportunity Fuerteventura presents for youth to engage with European initiatives. He states, “The island of Fuerteventura serves as an excellent backdrop where the younger generation can immerse themselves in the European youth goals, while observing effective practices regarding responsible and sustainable tourism.” This connection between local experiences and broader EU strategies aims to inspire lasting change.
Engaging Activities
The itinerary for this week-long project is rich with diverse learning experiences rooted in informal educational methodologies. Participants will partake in interactive workshops, engaging role-play scenarios, collaborative teamwork, and study visits. One highlight will be a public event on Friday, January 17, at 4 PM at the Centro Insular de Juventud in Puerto del Rosario, where attendees will have the opportunity to meet local leaders, including Adargoma Hernández and Tony Gallardo C., Manager of the Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve. This gathering will serve as an insightful platform for discussions on environmental and tourism-related issues in the region.
Understanding the EU Youth Goals
The sixth cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue, which spanned from 2017 to 2018, aimed to collect young voices and contribute to creating the EU Youth Strategy for 2019-2027. This process culminated in identifying eleven critical youth goals, reflecting the diverse perspectives of young participants involved in the dialogue.
In the context of the “TurisClima” initiative, the main goals have focused on:
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Connecting the EU with Youth: Ensuring that the outcomes of the project are visible online, enabling continuous tracking from any part of Europe.
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Gender Equality: Striving for a balanced gender representation across all project activities.
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Inclusive Societies: Making special efforts to include youth facing geographical and social challenges.
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Constructive Dialogue and Information: Creating spaces for fruitful discussions among experts and decision-makers impacting youth.
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Empowering Rural Youth: Encouraging participation from young individuals in rural and interior areas of Fuerteventura and European counterparts.
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Quality Learning: Emphasizing protocols for improving learning methodologies in both formal and informal settings.
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Spaces and Participation for All: Bringing participatory processes into public arenas, fostering engagement through simulations and debates.
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A Green and Sustainable Europe: Promoting environmental considerations that connect local actions to global impacts.
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Empowered Youth Organizations: Strengthening youth organizations’ knowledge of available EU resources.
A Transformative Experience
The EU Youth Strategy, exemplified through this project, aims to translate the ideals of young people into actionable strategies. With the engagement of stakeholders at various levels, this initiative hopes to mobilize resources and implement actions that resonate with the youth’s vision for a sustainable future.
The ‘TurisClima’ project offers a unique immersive experience for the youth of Fuerteventura, paving the way for future participation in similar Erasmus+ endeavors beyond the island. Through this initiative, young minds will not only discuss pressing environmental issues but also champion the cause of sustainable tourism, setting a precedent for generations to come.
