ScaleUPcycling - Youth competence development on reuse and upcycling

Every year, over 2.12 billion tonnes of waste are generated, yet only 40% of household waste is reused, recycled, or upcycled. Remarkably, 99% of products we buy are discarded within six months. Currently, the global economy is just 9% circular. Directive 2008/98/EC mandates member states to develop waste management plans, highlighting the need to promote reusing and extending product lifecycles. Aligned with the EU Youth Strategy's goal of a Sustainable Green Europe, the ScaleUPcycling project seeked to inspire youth to become environmentally conscious and active, driving change in their daily lives. While reuse remains an untapped potential, there has been recent growth in upcycling initiatives. The project aimed to create a digital platform for collaboration among youth, youth workers, and others in the reuse and upcycling ecosystem, helping them develop skills to become local change-makers and ambassadors for upcycling.

The project aimed to empower youth and youth workers by providing innovative digital tools, e-learning materials, and training modules to help them develop new skills and knowledge. These resources enabled them to become ambassadors for change, promoting resource conservation and waste reduction through reuse and upcycling. The initiative aimed for the development of reuse community networks, to enhance communication, and motivate youth to design and manage their own community projects. The project created a unique, one-stop learning and collaboration hub, highlighting the ecosystem of reuse and the key role of youth. It offered knowledge-sharing opportunities, with users contributing new content and sharing ideas and best practices.

The ScaleUPcycling project involved comprehensive project management by ANEL, along with promotion and dissemination activities led by CTRIA throughout its duration. Activities in each result: In the development of PR1, "ScaleUPcycling digital platform" , the thematic content for reuse and upcycling was defined through 250 surveys with young people and 60 stakeholders. The platform's technical design and programming were completed, along with features like the "inspiration corner," "ideation tool," Digital flipbook on ecosystem roadmap , community building training modules and "ScaleUPcycling initiatives" . A pilot test of the platform among 180 registered young users was conducted, with feedback collected by all partners . In PR2, the "e-Learning digital roadmap" was developed, featuring podcasts, motion infographics and a digitalized roadmap. In PR3, "Community building through upcycling training modules" was created with training modules designed and implemented by all partners, followed by feedback and adaptations. A short-term joint staff training was organized, involving 18 F2F participants and 10 online participants. Five multiplier events were held in participating countries. All partners developed National Trainings as well Multiplier events and participated in community events/festivals.

The ScaleUPcycling project achieved several key results: The ScaleUPcycling digital platform (PR1) was developed as an interactive framework for cooperation and skills development, focusing on the reuse and upcycling ecosystem and the role of EU youth within it. The platform served as a valuable space for youth idea owners, youth workers, and all interested parties, enabling the sharing of ideas, peer learning, and the co-creation of community initiatives. It equipped youth and youth workers with the skills to initiate and manage their own upcycling activities, empowering them as local change-makers. The platform featured tools like an inspiration corner, reuse ideation tool, ecosystem roadmap, interactive training modules, and a scenario generator for events. The e-Learning digital roadmap to the reuse and upcycling ecosystem (PR2) provided youth workers and young people with resources to enhance their knowledge, including podcasts, video content, and a Digital Flipbook. This roadmap helped youth communities understand the ecosystem and become more active participants. Community building through upcycling training modules (PR3) offered seven educational modules on topics such as circular economy, community practices, and event organization, and included training events in partner countries. These modules were later uploaded to the platform for ongoing use.