EcoBytes plans a seven-country youth exchange on blockchain and the climate crisis
EcoBytes: Unveiling the Crypto-Climate Conundrum is a planned Global Society Institute youth exchange in Hamburg examining blockchain, cryptocurrencies and the climate crisis. Its Erasmus+ application, submitted by the Organization for Science, Education and Global Society (OSEGS), outlines workshops and intercultural learning involving groups from seven countries.
The exchange is scheduled for 31 January–6 February 2027, according to updated information supplied for this article. The application envisages 42 people from Germany, Türkiye, Estonia, Czechia, Bulgaria, Poland and the Netherlands: five young participants and one group leader from each country. It covers a project period from September 2026 to August 2027 and names JUGEND für Europa as the applicant’s national agency, which has approved Erasmus+ funding for the project.
The exchange targets young people aged 18–30 who use digital technologies and are interested in sustainability, digitalisation and technology’s social impact. The application excludes group leaders from this age criterion. The target group includes users of digital platforms and online financial tools, and people interested in cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications.
Understanding technology and assessing its consequences
According to the application, the programme would explore blockchain principles and their relationship with energy consumption, carbon emissions and sustainability. Practical examples and participatory activities are intended to help participants examine the environmental implications of digital infrastructure and technological development.
The proposed programme includes sessions on Bitcoin’s sustainability and carbon footprint, alongside reflection on the climate crisis and everyday habits. Its stated aim is to develop knowledge and critical thinking so that participants can assess the benefits, risks and longer-term consequences of emerging technologies.
Workshops, debates, games, simulations and international teamwork form part of the planned learning approach. This is consistent with the Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges framework, which supports non-formal learning and intercultural dialogue through activities developed by groups of young people.
Creating and sharing knowledge
The application also proposes practical training in Canva and CapCut. Participants would work in international teams to create short videos, visual materials and awareness messages about the environmental impact of digital technologies. These activities are intended to develop digital communication and collaboration skills.
Intercultural activities and group reflection are also planned. After the exchange, participants would be encouraged to share their learning through presentations, social media content and activities involving their communities, peers and youth organisations.
The application names OSEGS as the German applicant and six partner organisations: Nicea Kültür ve Eğitim Derneği in Türkiye; MTÜ MEDA group in Estonia; Dům dětí a mládeže hl. m. Prahy in Czechia; Sdruzhenie Alternativi International in Bulgaria; CreActive in Poland; and Stichting yEUth in the Netherlands.
EcoBytes aims to connect digital literacy with environmental awareness through youth work. Its intended outcomes include greater understanding of digital technologies, critical thinking and the sharing of learning with local communities.
Written by a human author, edited with AI assistance.
Further information:
Project details draw on the EcoBytes Erasmus+ application KA152-YOU-161D5E66, Call 2026, Round 1, and updated exchange dates supplied for this article.
European Commission: The Erasmus+ programme guide explains the objectives and non-formal learning framework for Youth Exchanges.
JUGEND für Europa: The German programme page describes Youth Exchanges, participation and supported activities.
OSEGS: The organisation’s website describes its educational work and activities linking science, sustainability and global society.
