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Valongo: GreenBeat – Youth Volunteering for Nature and Forests in the Municipality of Valongo

Avatar: Official proposal Official proposal

GreenBeat mobilized young volunteers for concrete environmental regeneration actions in Valongo, transforming public spaces and raising community awareness through a participatory and innovative approach.

GreenBeat includes two consecutive editions of the Youth Volunteering for Nature and Forests program (VJNF/IPDJ). It is led by the Youth and Environment Division of the Municipality of Valongo in strategic partnership with “JÁ” – Jovens em Ação. The initiative engaged 120 young people (aged 15–25), including 30 from disadvantaged or rural contexts, in activities such as clean-ups, water monitoring, circular economy initiatives, and awareness campaigns in the Santa Justa/Pias mountains, streams, and urban parks. It improved 15 public spaces and reached more than 2,000 people through events such as Expoval.

Objectives and Methodology

The program promoted skills development (design, social media, planning, communication, creativity) through non-formal education, using action-reflection cycles and mentoring. The evaluation combined multiple methods: attendance tracking (hours completed), pre- and post-self-assessments, digital metrics (Mentimeter), portfolios, weekly journals, and feedback. Challenges such as irregular participation and weather conditions were addressed through indoor sessions and youth-led communication strategies.

Completion and Continuity

Participants received VJNF certificates, and the program concluded with a celebratory event and public presentation (exhibition/video), generating a report to IPDJ with lessons learned for 2026. Continuity is ensured through integration into the annual VJNF program, coordination between Youth and Environment departments, and the role of JÁ in co-planning future editions, alongside a roadshow that creates a scalable and replicable “eco-transformative movement.”

Collaboration and Stakeholders

The initiative relies on a collaborative ecosystem: JÁ co-planned and mobilized participants; the Environment Division provided logistical and technical support; Social Services and CPCJ supported vulnerable groups; and local associations (Fora de Cena, Só Jovem das Saibreiras, Academia Hípica de Sobrado) contributed to outreach and events. Coordination took place through weekly meetings and Mentimeter tools, with shared responsibilities (JÁ/Youth: content; Environment: resources and logistics). The initiative is connected to the Municipal Youth Council and the Municipal Youth Plan 2024–2034, integrating climate sustainability and inclusion.

Impacts and Results

The program impacted communities by improving public spaces and raising awareness among over 2,000 people, while optimizing coordination between municipal departments. It influenced public policies, contributing to the Municipal Climate Action Plan (as a case for the European Green Leaf) and the Municipal Youth Plan 2024–2034. It institutionalized participatory democracy through co-planning with JÁ, consolidating youth participation as a pillar of local governance. Young participants developed key competencies, challenging stereotypes about youth disengagement.

More information:
https://www.cm-valongo.pt/diretorio-servicos/areas-de-intervencao/juventude/projetos/galeria


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Valongo: GreenBeat – Youth Volunteering for Nature and Forests in the Municipality of Valongo

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