Implementation
Implementation
Green Wardrobe Implementation day-by-day
Day 1 - 19 March, 2024
The first day of the project! Unlike the rainy day before, the entire day was quite sunny, so we did the activities outside in the nice grass!
The day began with some ice breaking games, and in the first one, we were separated into 3 groups, and using repetition and throwing a tennis ball to each other, we learned a bunch of names!
Of course, this wouldn't have been enough, so we continued with a nice round of speed dating. In a big-big circle, we had just about 2 minutes to discuss a question that was said by a facilitator. These questions included simple ones, such as what we want to study in the future, or what our hometown is like, but just as interestingly, what we would do if we were millionaires. These questions of course started leading to the topic, such as fashion influencers, and how often we shop for clothes.
Afterwards, for the last activity before our coffee break, we played a game called "this or that" where we would split depending on our preferences. Questions included simple stuff like preferring mountains or the sea, to more interesting questions such as whether we like pineapple on pizza or not (the answer should always be no by the way).
After the coffee break, we played the hangman game to refresh our names and learn new ones, as well as talk about our fears, contributions, and expectations out of this project. We set up the rules of the project as well, as well as setting roles for each time, such as having a day where a certain national group focuses on photo-taking or helping the facilitators with the activity room.
We were also introduced to energisers at this time and had an activity where we drew comical versions of each other's faces!
As for the afternoon, we had a lovely trip to Pissouri square, where, in mixed groups, we had a treasure hunt to learn more about the city. These included finding the fruit of the village (it's grapes!), the oldest inn, or finding out what the monuments mean. It was a wonderful experience and a lot of fun.
Upon reflection and having dinner, we got our well-deserved rest.
Day 2: 20 March, 2024
Today it was the second day of the project! The day started with energizers from Cypriot group. It was a fun way to test our speed and reaction time.
In order to refresh the names of the other participants, we also played the blanket game, where we were separated into 2 teams, and the person who guesses the other persons name upon the fall of the blanket wins. It was hectic and swift, and it really helped us learn the names, considering we have so many participants!
On the first session, Elena presented the project's goals and where it came from, its reasons and why this project exists. After a quick coffee break, we had a World Café activity, where we went through seven stations and got a chance to discuss the different topics about the project. We could check our knowledge and understanding of circular economy, fast and slow fashion, sustainability, the 4R's and Greenwashing. The leaders of the national groups helped with this activity as they led each station.
After lunch break, we learned about digital tools that exist in on the topic, and the main one was the SDGIndex. This tool allowed everyone to check statistics of each of the countries in the project in a clear and simple manner. We focused on Goal number 12, which is for Responsible Consumption and Production, which our youth exchange largely focused on. It was very interesting to find out new things about our countries. Last session was dedicated to the presentation "Dostouchance" by Andreas, which was about fashion revolution and serves as a great introduction to the topic of fast fashion.
After dinner, we had our first Intercultural Night. The countries presenting their cultures today were Greece, Bulgaria and Lithuania. There was a lot of tasty food and snacks, fun Kahoot games and national dances. It was a long yet interesting day.
Day 3: 21 March 2024
The day began outside with some energizer's from North Macedonian team. This was musical chairs which was very nostalgic!
After that we had session in the activity room about where our clothes come from. Then we put sticky notes on the world map where we thought our clothes came from, and it was revealed that in fact, most of these clothes actually come from south Asian countries as opposed to Europe. In turn, we found out which countries produced the most clothes and we talked about the reasons why. Later we were separated into 4 groups and we had to research how many natural resources it takes to make peace of clothing.
Afterwards, Bobbie introduced yet another digital tool, and this was www.carbonfootprint.com which showcased the number of earths each participants need to continue living the way they do. Afterwards we created a line, and we were asked true or false questions and if it's true we'd make one step. These questions revealed our own personal footprint on the environment. Every step forward for us was a step backwards for our environment.
After that we watched the trailer of the movie, "The true cost" and we talked about what is behind our clothes and what we don't see. Our second part of the day started with one more lovely energizer, called the hot potato. After a long-lasting fight for the first place between Nikolas, the great and Yanitsa, whom played with one hand due to broken finger, Nikolas the Great won the first place in this energizer.
We started with one more session in the afternoon in which we were split in different groups once again and we needed to discuss misleading advertisement of famous mass production companies greenwashing us, the consumers.
As last session before our second cultural night, we were split in groups, again, with the task to come up with a green idea. Green ideas were products for environmentally friendly. Then we presented in front of the 5 Judges. This was a simulation, where the best product would win. This taught us how to sell an idea, especially in the field of green entrepreneurship.
The session was a great practice to set our mind on green thinking, keeping our planet safer and healthier and of course how to promote our ideas better.
This day also hosted the cultural night for the teams from North Macedonia, Poland and Hungary.
Day 4: March 22, 2024
We woke up in the morning and got ready for the day. Most of us skipped breakfast because we weren't hungry. Then was our national team meeting where we talked about yesterday and discussed the day ahead of us. The energizer was a tag game, which we really enjoyed. Then everyone went into the activity room to make the presentations about good practices in each country about sustainable fashion. This was based on our homework before we came to the Youth Exchange, to see what practices in the field of slow fashion and the "green wardrobe" already exist in our countries.
The second session was about the Youthpass and Erasmus+ opportunities. We learned about the different opportunities that exist in the field and we decided we want to apply for DiscoveryEU next year.
In the lunch break, after we ate the delicious meal, we jumped in the pool and had so much fun with the other participants. We also put little surprises into the envelopes for Secret Friend.
In the afternoon there were 4 simultaneous workshops by the leaders, we attended 2 of them. One was led by the Lithuanian team leaders who were nice to us, helping with translation. The topic was public speaking. We had to talk in pairs for 2 minutes about a random topic while the other took a video of it. In another exercise one person was talking and everyone had to pay attention and squat when they heard expletives. The last exercise was played in a circle with one person in the middle. She/he had to make eye contact with the people standing around. The people in the circle lifted their hands up slowly, but when they made eye contact with the person in the middle, they had to lower their hands. These workshops were about public speaking.
The last workshop we attended was led by the Hungarian teamleaders. We had to do all the activities without speaking and figuring out everything together nonverbally. In the activities we crossed a river together and escaped from crocodiles, occupied planets from aliens, built structures using our body, played with emotions and found the gate of the soul. We enjoyed it very much and had fun with the others.
We finished with a positive circle with our national team and also discussed what we gave and received today. We ate dinner with good food. Then we went to the seaside, we walked on the shore, run, sat down, listened to the sound of the sea. On the way back, we went to the store to buy some snacks.
All in all, it was the best day so far. It was well organized, full of interesting activities and we had so much fun.
Day 5: 23 March 2024
This was the day where we went outside of the venue for activities and exploration. Firstly, we went to the ancient theater "Koureion" where we explored and learned the history of the place. Just as importantly, this served as an example of a sustainable place, as it is not only an "open style" museum, but the place is still used for concerts and plays.
With our arrival to the Old port of Limassol we had to be divided in groups and complete some tasks. These tasks focused on discovering how the city does second hand shops, and just as importantly eco-stores, where items are produced locally and sustainably. It turns out, that a lot of souvenir shops focus on eco production, such as sponges made from the sea, and this green and sustainable aspect is used as an effective selling point. We also had the opportunity to explore the city and visit local artists and artisan shops.
The tasks also focused on interviewing people and asking them about there fashion habits and if they recycle their clothes. Limassol was mesmerizing and not only for with the unique skyscrapers and the amazing beaches but also for its history that goes way back.
Day 6: 24 March 2024
What a fun and wonderful day it was today! A day for learning new skills and crafts, a day for exploring our creativity, and a day for making a real change!
We started with a fun energizer from the Lithuanian team, enjoying the warm morning sun, and we continued with two crafting workshops, one for making yarn bracelets, one for thread embroidery and one for crochet hearts. The lovely Asta, Ina and Mira were so dedicated to teaching us the details of these colorful crafts, and yes, it was hard at first, but after a while, we were all amazed to see the beautiful stitches, bracelets and hearts that we all made, although some were more successful than others. We practiced patience, focus and concentration, and we found peace and tranquility in hand work, just like our grandmothers used to.
After the break, we had a chance to learn another craft - making a "material" from used plastic bags with the help of a simple iron. This was taught by Andreas, the leader of the Cypriot team. Our participants were in awe of the possibilities and how trash and waste can be reused in a creative way. We all made various accessories from this new material and had lots of fun.
After lunch, we brought out our own old clothes and redesigned them, cut them into pieces and sewed them into new things. So, our old t-shirts became tote bags, our torn blouses became new crop tops and hair ties, and our old shirts became bikinis.
The participants tried to see things in a new perspective and really brought out the best in them. And bonus points for all the laughs we had doing it, all the help we asked and gave among each other, and all the new memories we created. We are so thankful for this day and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Day 7: 25 March 2024
On the 7th day of the project, the group from Bulgaria prepared energizers. They were done in a sporty style. Afterwards, we spent the first activity preparing our clothes for a simulation of a second-hand store bazaar. We created labels and other items to indicate the stories of our clothes, its size, and where it comes from. This simulation didn't there of course because we traded clothes among each other!
For the second session, we made pairs of models, stylists, and promoters to prepare for a ceremonial fashion show. This involved the clothes we worked on in the evening of the previous day. Some of the participants were also split into hosts for the event, as well as photographers and cameramen (paparazzi). It was a wonderful experience, because it really used all of the skills we had learned from the previous days.
After lunch, we focused and learned about the visibility aspect of the project, and how to share it further. To do so, we were divided into national groups, and we created videos, in our own national languages, with English subtitles to do the biggest possible impact in our home countries.
The day ended with the cultural night of our hosts, Cyprus! The quizzes got very competitive this day.
Day
8: 26 March 2024
Last day of the program! What a great experience!
The morning started with the Hungarian energizing activities, and it continued by not only watching the videos we worked on the previous day, but also reflecting upon each and every activity we did during the youth exchange. We understood better the things we learned during the last 8 days, the new skills we made and how we want to use these skills further.
The second session focused on "fishing" ideas for other future Erasmus + programs to be developed. This was because many participants were inspired and want to see what other kinds of topics there can be in this field.
After that we had a long break to enjoy each other's company for a last time and of course swimming in the pool or strolling around the area .In the afternoon, with the presence of Mr.Nikolaou we completed the final evaluation and then had a youthpass ceremony and of course a lot of photos and mixed emotions. We also finally learned who our secret friends were! And all ends with a group photo!