“Nature Ahead” – multilateral youth exchange mobility project Dates: from 10.09.2014 to 18.09.2014 Venue: mountain youth resort situated in the National park Pelister, 15 km from Bitola, Macedonia Participants (profile): 36 young people/youth activists/youth leaders/volunteers (18–25), from Macedonia, Albania, Italy, Estonia, Czech Republic and Serbia (6 participants per country). Objectives: - To raise young people’s awareness on environmental issues; - To share knowledge and experience about new methods of environmental education; - To inspire youth to practice new methods in the field of environmental education; - To promote healthy behavior among youth; - To promote cultural diversity. Background of the project: We live in a world of constant change. People often neglect their negative impact on nature. The positive change on the way we think and act towards nature is of a highest importance. A sustainable change can be achieved only through youth as they are the fuel of positive changes. By changing the way youth in Europe sees nature and by presenting them innovative tools for preserving the Earth’s beauty this project will be part of a diversified positive impact on nature. Activities and the methodology that will be used in this project comply with the above. In that manner the planned activities and methodology is the following: - Photography workshops; - Outdoor discussion sessions; - Photo-exhibition; - E - album; - Transfer of knowledge and best practices. With these activities participants will learn how to communicate with the nature using a photo camera as a tool and how to promote the attitudes and behaviors leading to the protection of environment and eco-friendly life style. Their creative "green" skills will be enhanced through the photography workshops and outdoor discussion sessions. This method will help the participant’s to better understand the global environmental issues, provide them with different perspectives in this area and provide alternative solutions as well as secure their commitment to a sustainable growth. The usage of photo-exhibition will contribute to the promotion of respectful attitudes towards the environment. It will contain photographs of the nature taken by the participants and presented to a wider audience. These photographs with stories and more will be part of an E - album that will be created for special purpose of exchanging photos and disseminating them even further. The project in general after completion will contribute to the creation of young nature promoters that will disseminate the knowledge and awareness to their peers and wider. This will be further ensured by organizing photo-exhibitions in each participating country as a follow up of the project.