Contemporary society keeps evolving: marked by frenetic rhythms and by an uncontrolled exploitation of our natural resources, our economies keep having an invasive impact on the environment, by polluting, damaging and also threatening the ecosystems that live in that environment. For these reasons, as pointed out in the Europe 2020 strategy, there is a growing need for an economy that is sustainable and able to preserve our valuable natural heritage. Tourism in particular represents nowadays an important economic resource. Nonetheless, the wild economic exploitation of the territory may determine, in the long term, an irreversible damage on our naturalistic common heritage, with a consequent impoverishment of the populations living in that territory. This youth exchange on ecotourism is then first of all an occasion to reflect on a tourism which is responsible, a tourism that, in spite of destroying and exploiting, is able to preserve the natural and cultural heritage for the future generations. It is though also much more. Indeed, this youth exchange aims at exploring ecotourism as a lifestyle that can be repeated in a person’s everyday life, respectful for the environment and the culture that occupies that environment. In this youth exchange, ecotourism becomes a synthesis of these two needs, as it is examined in its double aspect: the respect for the ecosystem we step in and for the culture that already occupies this ecosystem. Two main objectives can then be found: sustainable lifestyle and an increased awareness of our impact on the environment and the promotion of the European values of tolerance, non-discrimination and respect for ‘the other’. The youth exchange will foresee the participation of thirty-eight youngsters of six different nationalities (Italy, Spain, Albania, Kosovo, Latvia and Belgium) and will take place in the town of Berat, recognized as UNESCO’s cultural heritage, symbol of a tourism which is sustainable and helps preserving the cultural, historical and traditional heritage. The group will be heterogeneous, as it will gather people of different ethnical and religious groups, sexual and political orientation, social background and education. This will allow the participants to exercise their capability of mediating and develop a more tolerant end open attitude. The activities will be spread on six days and will be led according to the methods of non-formal education, such as reflection groups, live performances, workshops, video-making activities, individual time, learning moments, recreational activities, games, simulations, evaluation time, etc. They will include: ice-breaking and team-building activities, sessions aiming at rising awareness on environmentally and socially relevant issues, manual and creative activities and moments aiming at self-assessing goals and learning outcomes. This youth exchange is expected to produce long-lasting effects both on the participants and on the partner organizations. Indeed, by developing a more aware and conscious attitude towards the environment and cultural diversities, it is believed that the participants will develop a sense of active citizenship and act as multipliers when they're back in their realities. Concerning the expected impact on the partner organizations, it is believed that they will use the competences acquired in their ordinary activities and network with other associations active in their same field in order to develop future projects together. Finally, the exchange is meant to have a long-term impact on the town of Berat: indeed, by involving the municipality and the local NGOs and newspapers, the project aims at bequeathing to the locals the outputs, outcomes, ideas and reflection tips emerged during this week of activities.