However, before the youth went for the exchange, a preparatory meeting had to be held, during which the leaders discussed the division of responsibilities and had the opportunity to visit the places where the participants of the project were later active.

HEureka Generator involved C.K. Norwid Secondary School from Krasnystaw in the project activities. School is our local partner. The leader of the group was Mr. Leszek Kluch, an English teacher, and it was him who took part in the preparatory visit a month before the exchange together with the youth representative, Filip Huba.

After his return, he met a group selected at school and discussed with them the tasks that awaited the participants in the near future. Here you can see the motivation of Polish participants to participate in the project:

FILIP HUBA
I would like to join the project because I am interested in environment protection and I would like to know what I can do to protect it. I believe that this topic is currently being neglected, but I hope to change it.

ŁUKASZ CZERNIAK
I like the topic of the project because environmental protection is very important, especially in my country, for example in the southern part of Poland there are many large cities such as Kraków or Katowice, mines and factories, so the air is not very clean. I would like to learn something new about how to protect the environment. I think that a visit to a geopark in Cyprus will help me choose my studies, possibly related to the subject of the project, and in the future it will contribute to solving the problem of smog and dirty air in Poland.

WERONIKA NOŻYŃSKA
Nowadays, most of us do not pay attention to the environment around us. We do not realize that we can do much good for the Earth if we only wanted to. Therefore, by taking part in this project, I would like to learn more about how to take care of nature. Make ecology an important aspect for me.

WIKTORIA SUSZEK
I was interested in this project because I am interested in geography and the environment. I believe that the participation will allow me to develop my knowledge, improve my English skills and learn how to care for environment. I love exploring new places and new species of plants and animals. After coming back home, I would like to share my experiences with teachers, family and friends.

MARTYNA NOWOSAD
Nowadays, our environment is very polluted, therefore it requires protection and care for its condition. People are not aware of the importance of ecology and environmental protection. Thanks to the project 'Live it, care it, share it' I want to increase my knowledge and gain experience. In the future, it will help me to take action that will help our planet.

And this is Polish group right before the journey to Cyprus:

The participants of the exchange were accommodated in the village of Agros, located in the Troodos Mountains in the very center of the island. Specific thing for this village was that it was full of roses of various shapes and colors. In every corner of the area you could find rose-related products: rose honey, rose ice cream or rose liqueur.

And this is how conference room looked like and first 'hello':

As usually at the beginning of the youth project, the participants started with ice breaking and team building activities. With such a culturally diversed group, it was an educational experience and good practical thing having in mind that participants will cooperate together soon.

The main workshops on environmental protection were mixed with photography and survival workshops. Sessions were held at the local center and outside too, in national and international teams. The organizers often involved the local community in the activities.

After interesting discussions, the participants came to the conclusion that the environmental problems faced by their local communities are interrelated, no matter where we live.

Having accommodation in such a picturesque part of Cyprus, it was obligatory to have some hiking in the mountains. The group climbed the mountain called Madari. It was not an easy task due to the gravel ground, but when the participants reached the top they were speechless. The view was amazing, they were above the clouds.

The group also admired the diversity of flora and fauna while hiking along the Caledonia Falls. After reaching the waterfall, you could jump into the water and cool down after the hike.

The evening presentations of culinary traditions were a moment of rest from the activities during the day.

After eight days of exchange, the participants returned to their countries with new experiences and many ideas on how to protect the environment in their local communities. Let's say no to plastic, let's reduce waste, promote ecology and think ecologically!

However, we should remember that returning from a youth exchange is not the end of project activities. The next task of each of the national groups was to share the acquired knowledge and experience with peers in their local community. Polish participants presented the results of the exchange in their classes at the C.K. Norwid Secondary School in Krasnystaw. Thanks to this, other young people learned about what the youth exchange is, what the cooperation of the HEureka Generator association with schools looks like and what are the possibilities of the Erasmus+ program.