Positive Pathways into the Future - Youth Exchange at Dupa Gard, Summer 2025

What was PoPaFu?

PoPaFu was an Erasmus+ co-funded youth exchange bringing together young people from Spain, Romania, and beyond to the stunning Permaculture project Dupa Gard in Transylvania, Romania. For eight days (Sept. 8th-16th), participants immersed themselves in nature-based learning and cultural exchange to better understand global ecological issues while gaining tangible skills in sustainable living. All the info: PDF Infopack

A Journey from Climate Anxiety to Rural Resilience

What happens when 16 young souls from across Romania and Spain gather in the remote, mist-covered mountains of Posaga de Jos? You get Positive Pathways into the Future (PoPaFu), a 11-day immersion into a world where "climate anxiety" isn't just a buzzword, but a challenge we tackle with our own two hands.

Living the Change at Dupa Gard

Hosted at the Dupa Gard permaculture site, we didn't just talk about sustainability; we lived it. From managing a nearly zero-waste system and using compost toilets to learning the intricacies of an off-grid solar power setup, every moment was a lesson in resilience. One of the most tangible highlights was our cob construction workshop, where we physically restored a traditional barn using nothing but earth, sand, and straw.

Roots and Hikes

We connected with the land and the local community in ways we never expected. At Ferma Lupu, we got our hands dirty milking goats and baking bread, rediscovering the deep roots of traditional homesteading. We also took our stewardship to the trails, embarking on a hike to Dumesti where we turned a mountain trek into a civic cleanup action, collecting waste to preserve the "untouched" wilderness of the Apuseni Mountains.

Making History (Literally)

Our journey even took us to Alba-Iulia, where we participated in "The Table that Unites," helping set a Guinness World Record while catching the attention of national media like ProTV. Back in the village, our "Community Evening" at the Posaga Cultural Center brought together participants and locals for a night of art and tradition that even made the headlines of the UNIREA newspaper.

Deep Methods and Deep Connections

Behind the fun was a powerful methodology. We used Open Space Technology to self-organize and Dragon Dreaming to turn our collective visions into reality. Every evening ended with a "Talking Stick" reflection circle - a space for active listening that turned a group of strangers into a family.

The Impact

By the final campfire, the feeling of powerlessness against climate change had been replaced by a "toolbox" of practical skills. Whether it was learning about Zero Food Waste with Slow Food Turda or mastering the YouthPass competences, every participant left as an ambassador for a greener, more connected future.

As we look back, PoPaFu proved that remote rural areas aren't just the past - they are the blueprint for a sustainable pathway into the future.

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