On 19 June 2025, a diverse group of over ten young VET learners and trainers from Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine came together online for the Green Hive Knowledge Café, part of the Erasmus+ co-funded Green Hive Project. This interactive session was designed to strengthen sustainability competences and encourage collaborative innovation across borders.

The café began with an introduction to the Green Hive Project, which offers a structured approach to developing green skills through vocational education and training. A key highlight of the session was the presentation of the European Contest – “Sustainability: New Perspectives for a Wicked Problem.” This competition invites educators, learners, and stakeholders to co-create meaningful, practical solutions to today’s pressing environmental challenges. Participants discussed how they could take part and adapt the contest to their local contexts—turning abstract challenges into actionable opportunities.

The contest is structured around real-world sustainability issues such as waste management, energy efficiency, water use, and social inclusion in the green transition. Participants are encouraged to work in collaborative teams—known as Green Combs—to design innovative responses to one of six identified challenges. Each team must also involve at least three external stakeholders from sectors like business, policy, or civil society, ensuring that solutions are grounded in real-world relevance. Submissions are presented in short videos, evaluated by both expert juries and public voting, with winners gaining recognition at national and European levels, and their ideas featured in a special e-publication. More than just a competition, this initiative empowers learners to take ownership of sustainability goals and be part of an inclusive and creative learning journey.

Participants were also introduced to the Green Hive Platform, a central digital hub designed to support collaboration, resource access, and contest participation. This platform allows users to explore sustainability tools, connect with other Green Combs across Europe, and submit their contest entries in an organised and user-friendly environment. By using the resources and tools developed within the Green Hive project, participants are better equipped to co-create impactful solutions and contribute actively to the project’s wider educational mission.

The café wrapped up with an engaging dialogue, where participants shared project ideas and reflected on potential partnerships. The open and inclusive format encouraged peer-to-peer learning and empowered participants to become proactive changemakers in their own communities.

The Green Hive Knowledge Café not only raised awareness of key sustainability issues but also provided participants with the confidence and resources to take meaningful action. By connecting young people across borders and providing high-quality learning experiences, the session reflected the Green Hive Project’s mission: to empower individuals and organisations through innovative and inclusive training solutions.

Location: Online
Date: 19.06.2025