Yamochori (Youth Active MInds)

YamoChori is an ecoproject which started in 2021 in Makria Logka Etoloakarnanias. It is designed by people who love sustainability, permaculture and natural building techniques. It is the nest for youth exchanges, volunteering programs, local actions and trainings. The place acquires a magical energy from people who love soil, water, self-sufficiency, autonomy and freedom. YamoChori's Vision - creating a core of people who live and work with nature for nature, mobilizing and giving life to the local community. - villages in the mountains to regain life, providing sustainability solutions to the locals and to people who imagine their life here, creating social life and mobility in a non-intrusive and touristic way. The range of actions of YamoChori is indicatively aimed at a) empowerment of the local community and especially the young people who live in remote areas through their participation and involvement in projects taking initiatives b) creating a small community of people who respect nature and they wish to deal with permaculture, natural building, regenerative agriculture and zero intervention in the natural environment c) cultural development of the area we operate for preservation of intangible cultural heritage d) development and maintenance of the area's hiking trails Yamochori works at local and international level implementing local initiatives and European projects. A) At local level the organization has implemented the following projects: Bike is the Answer: a bicycle trip with young people to promote green and sustainable traveling Youth art Corner: the transformation of a neglected park in Agioi Anargyroi, Athens into a corner of artistic expression of young people. Science without borders: STEM and non formal methods to teach 15 refugees several scientific topics. Blind Ride: cycling skills development (balance, improvement of visual-motor perception, practice in the perception of space, etc.) and traffic education address people with visual impairment. Dry Wall Workshop: training about the use of traditional stone building techniques to create a stonepath. School Gardening: participatory design of vegetable and herb gardens to selected schools closeby the region that we work on Mazi: a short movie about domestic violence and how you could recognize it. Behind masks: was a theater festival with several acts about racism, masculinity and diffences in general. B)At European level, "Yamochori " organizes projects in the education, mobility, environmental and social issues. We have 6 years experience implementing European programs such as Erasmus+, European solidarity corps and Erasmus+ for Young Entrepreneur. Yamochori 1) has already a very broad network of partners with similar values. 2) has implemented 10 Youth Exchanges, 5 trainings, 4 Youth participation activities with collaboration of Thermo Municipality, concerning environmental issues and rural youth empowerment. 3)has participated as a partner in many Youth Exchange and Mobility of youth workers, throughout Europe, concerning a variety of topics; giving opportunities to young people with difficulties(social, geographical, economical) to travel abroad, meet other cultures, cooperate with youngsters from other countries and widen their European citizenship. Yamochori gives attention to every detail and carries out the full spectrum of activities. We try to give our best in every stage of a project (preparation, implementation, dissemination). Such approach and competences are relevant for any project. Since August 2022 Yamohori has been awarded with Quality Laber as Lead Organisation for ESC volunteers , obtaining. Already 20 short and long volunteers stayed in Yamochori for 2-12 months and we expect to prolong the numbers within the years.