Youth in Action: Nature and Volunteering

What is Youth in Action?

Youth in Action is an active participation programme funded by the City Council of Murcia, designed to support young people in the municipality in strengthening their social and environmental commitment through practical and experiential activities. The project focuses on creating spaces where young people can engage with their community while developing new skills and values such as coexistence, solidarity, and shared responsibility.

Through thematic sessions held at the urban garden El Molino del Amor, a space provided by the City Council of Murcia, the project transforms this environment into an open-air learning space. Here, young participants not only learn about sustainability and environmental care, but also find a place for dialogue, social interaction, and personal growth in direct contact with nature.

The pillars of the project

This initiative is built on three strategic pillars aimed at the holistic development of young participants:

• Connection with nature and wellbeing. Using the traditional market garden landscape of Murcia as a space to improve emotional wellbeing, reduce feelings of disconnection, and encourage self-care through hands-on activities and moments of calm outdoors.
• Practical learning and sustainability. Promoting organic gardening, composting, and recycling as educational tools to better understand, value, and protect the natural environment through direct action.
• Community life and civic engagement. Encouraging teamwork, active participation, and involvement in local initiatives that strengthen a sense of belonging and reinforce the local youth community network.

Why do we do it?

At B-LIVE, we have identified several needs affecting young people in the municipality of Murcia:

• Lack of engagement and generational renewal: Many young people between the ages of 15 and 30 struggle to find appealing spaces to take part in community or associative projects. At the same time, the agricultural heritage of Murcia’s traditional market gardens is under threat due to a lack of recognition and generational renewal.
• Disconnection and emotional wellbeing: There is a growing need to address emotional wellbeing and feelings of isolation among young people in relation to their natural and social environment.
• Need for meaningful participation spaces: It is essential to create experiential opportunities that spark interest in volunteering, encourage active participation, and strengthen the local youth associative fabric.

This project is made possible thanks to the support of the City Council of Murcia, which funds the initiative and provides the urban garden space at El Molino del Amor, enabling the creation of youth participation spaces rooted in the territory and focused on environmental care.