PBA 2025 : Bridging Horizons!

Youth Engagement and Green Practices in Island and Rural Communities

Review Article wrote By Kelly Galea

Introduction

From March 25th to April 3rd 2025, I had the opportunity to represent the Genista

Research Foundation in a partnership building activity held in Saint Rose,

Guadeloupe. The program brought together participants from Sweden, Germany,

Spain, Netherlands, Norway, France, Estonia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Sicily,

Martinique and Malta to collaborate on themes of happiness and islander wellbeing, cultural heritage, entrepreneurship, and sustainability in island contexts.

Opening Session

On the first official day, we jumped straight into team-building activities aimed at

breaking the ice and helping us get to know one another. Through interactive name

games and sandcastle-building challenges, we quickly bonded as a group. These

initial sessions helped set a positive and collaborative tone for the week ahead.

Presentation of Organisations

As part of the opening sessions, I had the chance to present the mission and work of Genista Research Foundation. I explained that the organisation focuses on key

areas such as intercultural dialogue, migration and social work, environment and

climate change, rural affairs, project management, and media and communication.

Hearing from other organisations proved insightful, as it showcased the common and unique challenges faced in different countries, and the innovative ways each

organisation supports its community.

Project building

From March 28th onwards, we participated in workshops designed to foster

innovation and collaboration. In our first session, we discussed in groups the most

pressing issues in our communities related to the programme’s main themes. It was

a fruitful discussion that allowed everyone to share their perspectives on the matter

at hand. The following workshop involved a series of questions focused on organizational structure. In this session, each question was discussed with a different person which allowed me to gain insights from all organisations.

Learning Session

One of the workshops was dedicated to learning about the different types of funding available. Youth workers from large, experienced organisations led a session on various funding options available for projects, explaining the application process, eligibility requirements, and more. This session gave us a comprehensive overview of the different types of funding available for different types of projects.

Creation of Project

The primary objective of this week was to build projects in collaboration with new

partners. Therefore, this workshop focused on finding potential partners with similar

goals to develop a project on a topic that would align with both the countries’ context and the organisation’s goals. For the Genista Research Foundation, the most

relevant topic was sustainability in island communities. Partnering countries included France, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Sicily.

After several discussions and considering the different areas of focus of the

participating organisations, the team developed an innovative project on inclusive

storytelling for youth with disabilities on sustainability. This project would enable

youth with disabilities to create short films in their respective countries around the

topic of sustainability. Youth workers will first receive training on filmmaking

techniques which would then allow them to guide the youth through the process. The

project’s topic is quite broad providing the youth with the freedom to explore and

focus on sustainability issues that are most relevant to them. After the films are

created, they will be edited and shared with others, helping to raise awareness and

inspire change.

Excursion and Free Time

Outside of the workshops, we had the chance to explore Guadeloupe. The excursion

organised by Ride In took us to the region of Grande-Terre, in Le Gosier, where we

stayed at La Datcha Beach. Two participants and I took on the challenge to swim to

the nearby island called Ilet du Gosier. For lunch, we enjoyed a traditional meal by

the beach. In our free time, we also explored waterfalls and other beaches across

the island. This allowed us to connect in a more informal, relaxed setting.

Final Workshop – Skill sharing

The final session of the programme was a collaborative talent-sharing workshop,

where participants were invited to share a skill or piece of knowledge with the group.

I teamed up with another Maltese participant to introduce the group to our rich

Maltese history and to teach a few basic words in Maltese. This interactive session

showcased the diverse talents within the group as every participant had a unique

contribution. Through this workshop, I not only learnt a few words in French but also

gained insight on the best way to engage youth in project building activities.

Looking Ahead

As we said our goodbyes and prepared to return home on April 3rd, I felt both

grateful and inspired. Representing Genista Research Foundation in Guadeloupe

was both an honour and a meaningful learning experience. This journey was just the

beginning of many new friendships, partnerships, and ideas that will shape youth

work moving forward.