The final event of the European project GREENOVATE – Engaging Youth in a Digital Green Future 2.0 was successfully held on Friday, 2 October 2026, at the Municipality of Drama Events Hall, under the title “The Journey Continues – Shaping Europe’s Green Future”.
The event marked the culmination of a shared European journey of learning, cooperation and active participation, while also creating space to reflect on the experiences, results and long-term legacy of GREENOVATE.
The event opened with video welcome messages from Mr Panagopoulos, National Agency Coordinator for the Erasmus+ Youth sector at INEDIVIM – the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation, and Ms Panagiota Chatzimichailidou, representing the Office for Coordination and Administrative Support of the Green Fund, under the Ministry of Environment and Energy. A live welcome address was also delivered by Ms Parthena Ypatia Konstantinidou, representative of the Regional Unit of Drama in the field of Tourism, Culture and Sports.
A central part of the programme was formed by three round-table discussions, each approaching the impact and legacy of GREENOVATE from a different perspective. The first round table, “Beyond Theory – Hope in Practice”, brought together experts and academics to discuss environmental education, sustainability, current environmental challenges and the connection between European policies and local realities.
The second round table, “GREENOVATE Youth Ambassadors – Dialogue and Vision for the Future”, focused on youth voices, personal experiences, participation, international cooperation and the lasting value of non-formal learning. Alongside the young participants, an educator and Erasmus+ coordinator contributed an educational perspective, sharing insights into how international mobility and European programmes can support young people’s personal development, confidence, skills and broader outlook, as well as how schools can sustain their impact beyond the lifetime of an individual project. The discussion highlighted the complementary roles of young people and educators in turning international experiences into lasting learning and positive change within their communities.
The third round table brought together representatives of the project consortium to reflect on what their organisations had gained through GREENOVATE, the most valuable experiences and lessons learned, and the ideas, activities and collaborations that can continue beyond the formal end of the project.
Each round-table session was followed by an open discussion and questions from the audience, allowing for a direct exchange of views and further exploration of the issues raised.
The programme also included the presentation of the GREENOVATE Booklet, which brings together the project’s methodologies, experiences, key results and recommendations. At the same time, GREENOVATE itself was presented not simply as a project, but as a journey shaped by people, partnerships, shared experiences and ideas that can continue to generate impact after the project’s completion.
The event also presented the GREENOVATE Youth Ambassadors initiative, highlighting the role of young people as active multipliers and agents of change, as well as the prospects for the continuation and development of the Ambassadors network in the coming years.
The final conference was therefore not only a closing event, but also a point of transition: from completed activities to future cooperation, from project results to lasting impact, and from shared experience to new opportunities for young people and organisations to contribute to a greener and more sustainable Europe.
The GREENOVATE journey continues through the people, partnerships and ideas it has created.
Source: KDETYD