Erasmus+ mobility “JANE – Eco-Explorers: Youth in Action for Nature and the
Environment” (Project no. 2024-1-FR02-KA152-YOU-000220897)

Dates: 21 – 27 September 2025
Location: Arcachon, France
Coordinator: Association IS33 (France)

The Autumn Equinox marks the moment when day and night are in perfect balance, symbolising harmony, transition, and gratitude for the harvest. Traditionally people celebrated by honouring nature’s abundance, gathering with others, lighting fires or candles, and reflecting on balance in their own lives.
The Autumn Equinox on Monday, 22nd September 2025 coincided with the start of our Nature and environment-focused Erasmus+ mobility, hosted by Association IS33 and co-funded by Erasmus+. International School 33’s English Language and Literature Teacher Angéla Bureau, IB World School Teacher acted as Group Leader & Erasmus Project Coordinator for this mobility, shouldered by her colleague, Science Teacher Carol Sankey. Thanks to the ingenious mentorship of our Principal, Noémie d’Esclaibes, we were able to secure funded places for four international groups coming from Romania, Turkey, Poland and France.
Representing France, our youth delegation included students of international origins from International School 33, united here for the Erasmus project under the French flag.
Here are some project highlights:
Goal: Learn, act & connect for a greener future
Activities included:

  • Tree-top adventures and kayaking
  • Sea Shepherd France workshop + beach clean-up with Initiatives Océanes
  • La Fresque Océane workshop
  • Discovering the Arcachon Bay & the Dune of Pilat
  • Intercultural exchanges & eco-projects explored in an international context

During this international youth exchange, delegations from France, Romania, Turkey and Poland joined forces to:

  • Explore the biodiversity of the Arcachon Bay and the Dune of Pilat;
  • Engage in outdoor activities in order to foster understanding and love for Nature;
  • Take part in a Sea Shepherd France workshop on defending the ocean;
  • Manage a coastal clean-up (focus on micro plastics) and reporting to Initiatives Océanes;
  • Become actors in a La Fresque Océane workshop to understand better and develop a connection with marine life in the Arcachon Bay and beyond;
  • Actively engage in team building activities to exchange best practices on sustainability;
  • Work in multicultural teams to design eco-projects, reflect on global environmental challenges, and come up with solutions and changes we can all implement in our daily life.

Now that I am back home, after our wonderful Erasmus+ week together in Arcachon, I look through all the photos and thank you messages I’ve received from participating students and teachers, and feel enormous gratitude towards all the participants and contributors who have brought this beautiful project to life. In the hope that this would inspire many others to join in the future, I would like to share some feedback from the Romanian Group Leader below. May her words impress upon our heart so we may connect and act together for a greener Planet that will sustained future generations, and which will be sustainably treated and preserved by self-confident, kind-hearted and open-minded Erasmus students and beyond!

“I would like to express once again my deepest gratitude to Angéla and Carol for the exceptional hospitality, generosity, and professionalism with which you guided and supported us throughout the mobility. Every detail was so carefully prepared, and every moment offered to our students a chance to learn, to grow, and to connect.

Please also convey my warmest greetings and heartfelt thanks to Noémie, our General Project Manager and the Principal of International School 33. Meeting her personally during the Arbousiers Beach clean-up organised with Initiatives Océanes was a special moment of connection. My thanks also go to all our French partners – Association Le Moulleau Saint Vincent de Paul, Parc naturel de L’Eyre, Sea Shepherd France, Réserve ornithologique du Teich, Dune du Pilat, Parc Mauresque, Ville d’Hiver, and Cap Ferret – as well as to our colleagues from Turkey and Poland, whose presence and collaboration made this project truly European in spirit.

I carry home many wonderful memories of this mobility, and look forward to continuing our collaboration. Together, we have shown that education, intercultural dialogue, and care for the environment can inspire young people to become true Eco Explorers and responsible European citizens.”  /Virginia Braescu/

This mobility forms an integral part of the Erasmus+ “JANE – Eco-Explorers: Youth in Action for Nature and the Environment” project, which fosters environmental awareness, intercultural dialogue, youth engagement, and leadership skills, while creating sustainable international links among young people.

This initiative confirms once again the strong European and civic commitment to empower youth and inspire positive change. Together, we build a greener and more united Europe!

Written by: Angela Bureau