Sustainable development has become an important social issue in the wake of global climate change. The Youth Development Administration, Ministry of Education, promotes the Educational Youth Hubs Scheme, with 25 teams establishing Learning Youth Hubs in 2024. Together with teams representing Youth Hubs that have long been concerned with sustainable development in Taiwan, the scheme aims to guide young people to bring together their skills and creativity through courses and practical work, enabling them to protect precious environmental resources while revitalizing local industries.
Penghu Youth Creative Association has brought young people to Dongyuping, the second marine national park in Taiwan, to learn about Penghu Garden （caizhai）, terraces, and “Penghu Houses” （Penghucuo） that are made up of coral reefs and basalt rocks. Through sharing knowledge about the island, visiting settlements, group discussions, and hands-on marine activities, the participants gained a deeper understanding of Dongyuping’s cultural, historical, and scenic features, and explored with community residents about sustainable tourism solutions to protect and conserve the island’s resources.
The Le Ballon Rouge in Pingtung has arranged activities such as cultural and historical presentations and marine ecology tours to guide young people in exploring the marine resources and future development of the Hengchun Peninsula, where they gained insights into the issues of marine education, sustainable environment, and social enterprise, and worked together to plan a tourism model that is both marine-friendly and cost-effective.
ReWood Forest Cycle , Hukou Station in Hsinchu specializes in the reuse of wood, turning surplus waste wood into exquisite furniture or biochar which is nicknamed ‘black gold’, thus maximizing the use of renewable resources. They have established their teaching sites in mountain forests and woodworking facilities, and through activities such as tree-climbing and making biochar plant terrariums, they offer young people opportunities to learn about the sustainable development of the forest industry and resource conservation.
From exploring marine resources, promoting sustainable tourism to recycling surplus wood, these training courses have deepened young people’s understanding and appreciation of their hometowns and the environment, fostering their capacity for action on environmental protection and sustainable development. Young people interested in the on-site training courses of the Educational Youth Hubs are welcome to enroll at the Youth Community Participation and Action 2.0 – Changemaker Project website at https://changemaker.yda.gov.tw/Lesson, integrating their professional skills and local resources to stimulate their imagination on environmental protection and community development.
Penghu Youth Creative Association has taken the trainees on a coral reef observation tour in Dongyuping.
Le Ballon Rouge has organized a visit to Taiwan Dive Center.
ReWood Forest Cycle has provided hands-on training in making wooden decorations and furniture.