The “Plastic Matters!” project, funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ program, aims to raise awareness among young people about plastic pollution and encourage active participation in reducing plastic waste using the 5R method (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot). It brings together participants from various European countries, including Turkey, France, Greece, Italy, Serbia, and Latvia, with a focus on youth from diverse migrant backgrounds.

Objectives:

• Raise awareness about the relationship between daily consumption habits and waste production.
• Understand the environmental, health, and economic impacts of plastic waste.
• Learn about waste management practices across different countries.
• Encourage active participation in reducing plastic waste.
• Enhance digital storytelling, photography, and intercultural dialogue skills for using digital media to combat plastic pollution.
• Inform participants about the Erasmus+ program and encourage further involvement.

Activities:

• Focus on waste management, plastic pollution, recycling, and the creation of digital stories.
• Each partner organization recruits six young participants (three male, three female) from diverse cultural backgrounds, with half of them having no prior Erasmus experience.

Impact:

• At the local level, activities will include cultural nights, workshops, and garbage collection, aiming to improve knowledge and skills in sustainable waste management and reduce plastic waste in Thessaloniki.
• At the European level, the project will increase awareness of the Erasmus+ program and enhance digital storytelling skills to fight plastic pollution.

The project will create lasting impacts through the sharing of knowledge, development of new skills, and increased community engagement in environmental sustainability.