The Erasmus+ project, “Raising YOUth awareness of BIO-diversity conservation via webTOON” (BioYouToon), has successfully concluded after two years of engaging young people and youth workers across Europe in biodiversity conservation through innovative educational methods and creative digital storytelling. A product of collaboration with Impact Grid (Germany), XsentrikArts (Austria), NGO NEST Berlin (Germany), Nicea Kültür ve Eğitim Derneği (Turkey), MV International (Italy), and Polygonal North Oy (Finland), and co-funded by the European Union Erasmus+ programme, this initiative aimed at and successfully cultivated a dynamic and multifaceted cross-border exchange of ideas, blending art, digital skills, environmental education, and youth empowerment.
The project aimed to enhance youth awareness about biodiversity conservation through an engaging and accessible medium: digital comics, known as webtoons: it addressed several key priorities, including biodiversity conservation, active citizenship, and digital transformation. By combining creative storytelling with innovative digital tools, the objective was to transform complex ecological concepts into more accessible and compelling sources for youth, nudging towards awareness and motivation regarding sustainability and biodiversity conservation. As a result, BioYouToon saw the creation of inspiring digital comics, such as “Ela, Kayra and the Magic Drawer,” a touching story about two siblings navigating a magical world of biodiversity to save their beloved pets. This webtoon, along with others created by talented illustrators and bio-diversity experts.
The project produced several key outputs designed to support ongoing biodiversity education efforts. The Toolkit offers an engaging resource that explores biodiversity, its benefits, and conservation efforts through interactive activities, aimed at individuals and educators alike. The Webtoon Comics were co-created with young participants and partners to raise awareness and empower youth as biodiversity ambassadors. The Final Research Report identifies barriers to youth participation in biodiversity conservation and proposes practical solutions, alongside a training method for youth workers and educators. Furthermore, the E-Manual serves as a practical guide to empower and engage young people in biodiversity conservation activities. In addition to these resources, the BioYouToon Community Hub was launched—a dynamic online space available on the projects’ website: https://bioyoutoon-project.eu/, constructed for young people and educators to connect, discuss biodiversity issues, and share their ideas and experiences. These resources i.e., the E-Manual, the multi-national Research Report, the Toolkit for educators and the Webtoon comics , offer practical guidance, easily accessible and replicable materials in multiple languages for educators and youth workers across Europe, enabling the replication and adaptation of BioYouToons’ methodologies in different contexts.
Key events marked the project’s progress, beginning with a comprehensive international training session held in Iznik, Türkiye, from April 23rd to April 27th. This Joint Staff Training Event brought together youth educators to pilot an innovative training format focused on biodiversity conservation. Participants learned about biodiversity in an immersive setting and exchanged ideas on novel approaches to youth education.
Subsequently, local activities were launched across partner countries, directly involving youth in hands-on webtoon creation. In Berlin, organised by NGO Nest Berlin, workshops such as the one at Plötzensee Lido allowed participants to engage with biodiversity firsthand in the Metamorphosium microcosm, experiencing nature up close while crafting storyboards that brought biodiversity to life. In another workshop in Meidling, a diverse group of participants from fields such as art, biology, national park services, and social work collaborated to create webtoons aimed at explaining biodiversity to young audiences. A major milestone was the BioYouToon International Final Conference, held on March 20, 2025, at the museum of Porto Conte Natural Park in Alghero, Italy. This event brought together over 100 participants, students and educators alike, for a day dedicated to learning, creativity, and environmental stewardship. Attendees delved into project outputs through interactive workshops, where high school students collaborated to craft webtoon stories, exemplifying the project’s successful integration of artistic expression and environmental education.
Another highlight was the Multiplier Event hosted by NGO NEST Berlin on March 28, 2025, at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences, which served as a platform to showcase the project’s most significant outputs, including the comprehensive BioYouToon E-Manual and Toolkit, developed specifically for youth workers and educators. Participants engaged in discussions and explored how similar initiatives can inspire young people to actively participate in biodiversity conservation efforts, as well as providing their ideas for similar mediums and objectives.
In conclusion, the project BioYouToon successfully reached its goals of raising awareness but also fostering active citizenship and strengthened youth engagement in environmental issues across Europe. It provided inspiration and tools for young Europeans to take meaningful actions towards biodiversity conservation. The concept of fusion of creativity, digital tools, ecological education, and community-building, provides, as we believe, a robust and enduring reference point for advocacy for future similar projects and undertakings.
