Borders Separate – Nature Unites
English Version
Youth Encounters at the European Green Belt
Imagine standing in a place where borders and conflicts once divided Europe, but today serves as a symbol of unity and conservation: the European Green Belt. This unique landscape stretches along the former Iron Curtain, connecting people, cultures, and habitats. It is a space where nature can flourish again, and young people actively shape the future.
In our project, we bring together youth from different countries to protect biodiversity, explore the history of the Green Belt, and learn from one another.
Project Goals
Environmental Education: Would you like to learn more about nature and its importance for our future? In our camps and workshops, you’ll discover fascinating facts about the flora and fauna along the Green Belt. At the same time, you’ll explore the connections between climate change, conservation, and sustainability—and learn how you can make a difference.
Biodiversity Conservation: The Green Belt is not only a historical site but also a habitat for many rare animals and plants. Together, we care for and protect these unique areas—by creating habitats or removing invasive species. You’ll experience firsthand the vital role individuals and groups play in conservation.
Cross-Border Collaboration: Meet young people from Germany, Slovenia, and Hungary who are just as motivated as you to make the world a better place. Together, you’ll work on projects, learn from each other’s experiences, and explore different regions along the European Green Belt. Not only will you develop great ideas, but you’ll also forge connections that transcend borders.
What awaits You?
Trainings for Youth Leaders
Want to learn more about the European Green Belt or organize your own projects there? In our three digital training sessions, we’ll explore the history and significance of the Green Belt, with a focus on our project regions. You’ll learn how to plan and implement international youth camps or project days with kindergartens.
These lessons come to life during a multi-day hike along the Green Belt in Thuringia, where you’ll see firsthand how nature, history, and sustainability intersect. This training will show you the diversity of topics you can engage with at the Green Belt.
International Youth Camps
Two international youth camps will take place during the project:
- Summer 2025: A camp at the Green Belt in Hungary and Slovenia.
- Summer 2026: A camp at the Green Belt in Germany.
These camps focus on connection and collaboration. You’ll get to know the Green Belt, learn how to protect its unique habitats, and apply this knowledge in joint activities. Whether maintaining habitats, going on excursions, or exchanging ideas with local experts, these camps offer a dynamic mix of learning, experiencing nature, and teamwork.
Public Relations
The project is accompanied by social media posts highlighting the unique features of the Green Belt and our project regions. From videos capturing its diversity to posts inspiring conservation efforts or stories sharing your camp experiences, we’ll create content that raises awareness about the Green Belt and motivates others to join.
Would you like to help create these contributions? Your creativity is essential to bringing the importance of this region to a broader audience!
Why Participate?
- Meet new people and explore the unique natural landscapes of the European Green Belt.
- Actively contribute to conservation and learn new skills to make an impact.
- Become part of an international community shaping the future of the Green Belt.
The Project Team
Our Partners
We are implementing this project together with our partners from Hungary and Slovenia. Our project partner in Hungary is the Örség National Park, and in Slovenia, it is the Municipality of Salovci.
The Project Regions
Green Belt Thuringia (Germany)
The Green Belt in Thuringia offers unique landscapes and a glimpse into the past when the region was part of the inner-German border.
- Thuringia/Bavaria:
The trilateral nature park Thuringian Schist Mountains – Thuringian Forest – Franconian Forest features large forests, mountain meadows, heathland, and moors. While traditional land use of these herb-rich habitats became less profitable, the GDR border strip remained open, forming a valuable strip of heathland as well as wet and mountain meadows. BUND preserves these habitats through voluntary work, such as work camps, and cooperations with farmers. - Thuringia/Hesse:
The bilateral nature park Eichsfeld/Hainich/Werratal and Frau-Holle-Land is part of a species-rich low mountain range. Calcareous soils support a great diversity of orchid-rich meadows and beech forests. We already implemented one youth leader training in this area.
Hungary/Slovenia/Austria Border Region
The trilateral national and nature park Raab – Örség – Goricko lies in a hilly landscape between the floodplains of the rivers Raab, Mura, and Lafnitz.
This region consists of forests, moors, and dry and wet meadows and has a long multicultural history. During the Cold War, borders were not only fortified between Slovenia, Hungary, and Austria but also between Hungary and Slovenia. Today, this area is part of the European Green Belt, where conservation and cross-cultural understanding come together.
Funding Notice
This project is realised with financial support from the European Union through the BESTbelt project.
BESTbelt – More power for the European Green Belt
The EU-funded BESTbelt project, part of the European Green Belt Initiative, aims to enhance biodiversity conservation across 24 countries. Launched in 2021, it empowers civil society organizations with small grants to protect biodiversity, restore nature, raise environmental awareness, strengthen communities, and create green jobs until the project’s end in 2026. With 49 projects in 21 countries involving around 80 organizations, BESTbelt promotes cross-border collaboration to turn the vision of safeguarding Europe’s longest green network into reality.
