Plovdiv, Bulgaria | June 21–29, 2025
Project Number: 2024-3-BG01-KA152-YOU-000287513
Project Dates: Start – 29/05/2025 | End – 28/01/2026
Coordinating Organisation: Get Involved

From June 22 to 28, 2025, young people from Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Portugal (Azores), and Romania came together in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, for a powerful Erasmus+ youth exchange focused on fast fashion, greenwashing, sustainable choices, and conscious consumerism.

The project “Trash the Trends, Save the Planet” was much more than just an educational experience—it was a journey of discovery, creativity, and connection. Through a rich programme of non-formal learning activities, the participants explored the hidden costs of fast fashion and greenwashing, while developing tools to take informed action in their communities.

Throughout the week, we:
►Traced the life cycle of clothing: from raw materials to production, use, and end-of-life, we looked closely at where our clothes come from and where they go.
►Became greenwashing detectives: we learned how to identify misleading claims and deceptive marketing tactics often used by major brands.
►Created digital storybooks: each international group designed an interactive digital resource to raise awareness about fast fashion, sustainability, and conscious consumerism.
►Reflected on personal values and habits: participants questioned their own roles as consumers and shared ideas for more sustainable choices.
►Performed role plays and real-life scenarios: from breaking news parodies to mock crisis meetings, we explored the human and environmental consequences of greenwashing.
​►Created digital storybooks to raise awareness and inspire others.
►Planned local events and campaigns: each national group developed an idea to spread the message in their own communities after the project.


But above all, this youth exchange was a space for connection, empathy, and shared purpose. From intercultural nights and city walks to late-night laughter and deep conversations, what truly made the project unforgettable were the friendships built along the way. Strangers became teammates, teammates became friends—and together, we discovered that the power to change the world starts with awareness, action, and unity.

Because fast fashion fades, but the impact stays.
And we choose to be part of the change.

INTRODUCING - OUR SERIES OF DIGITAL STORYBOOKS, capturing what stood out to them on the topics of fast fashion, overconsumption, greenwashing, and sustainable alternatives.

► These creative educational resources reflect the PARTICIPNATS' personal research, perspectives, and interpretations.
► We encourage all readers to explore these topics further, fact-check using trusted sources, and keep learning beyond the content shared here.

*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.