About Us

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

The "Eco-Inclusion Patras" project is driven by a diverse group of young volunteers, aged 18 to 30, from the Patras area. This inclusive team brings together members of the ErgoSEN organization and graduates of EN.E.E.GY.L. Patras, uniting young people with special educational needs or disabilities with those who share a strong passion for environmental and social causes. Together, they act as active creators and "sustainability ambassadors," working to change the perception of disability from one of passive care-taking to one of active community contribution.

Throughout the 12-month project, volunteers will engage in hands-on activities centered on the circular economy and upcycling. Their work includes:

Launching the "Save the Wood" campaign and conducting "Green Patrols" to collect bulky wooden waste, such as old furniture and pallets, from the streets of Patras.
Participating in woodworking workshops to transform this waste into functional community assets, including street libraries, planters for urban gardening, and safe shelters for stray animals.
Utilizing digital tools for technical design (CAD) and storytelling to document their journey and promote the project’s message across social media.
Organizing public events like the "Green Art Market" and "Eco-Inclusion Festival" to deliver their creations to the community and showcase their work.

In return for their dedication, the project offers a transformative experience focused on professional and personal empowerment. Volunteers will gain valuable "green" and digital skills, receive training in safe tool usage with specialized ergonomic equipment, and have access to professional coaching to help translate their experiences into a Youthpass certification or Europass CV.

Beyond skill-building, the project provides a sense of belonging and the profound satisfaction of directly improving the aesthetic and environmental health of their city, proving that with the right support, every young person can be a vital pillar for a greener and more inclusive future.

Our Story

Our journey began in the heart of Patras with a simple but powerful belief: that every young person has the potential to be a catalyst for change. The Eco-Inclusion Patras team is a vibrant, inclusive collective of volunteers aged 18 to 30, bringing together members of the ErgoSEN organization and graduates of EN.E.E.GY.L. Patras. By uniting young people with special educational needs and disabilities alongside their peers, we have built a team defined by diversity and a shared passion for the environment. Our mission is centered on the circular economy; through our "Save the Wood" initiative and "Green Patrols," we rescue bulky wooden waste from the city streets and transform it in our workshops into functional community treasures—such as street libraries, urban planters, and animal shelters.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to flipping the script on social inclusion. We stand out from the crowd by moving beyond traditional "care-taking" and empowering our members to be "care-givers" and Sustainability Ambassadors. Our core values—inclusivity, environmental stewardship, and digital innovation—guide everything we do, from technical CAD design to public festivals. We offer our community more than just upcycled wood; we offer a model for a future where disability is seen as a source of unique talent rather than a limitation. For our volunteers, we provide a transformative space to gain professional "green" skills, access expert coaching, and earn Youthpass certification, all while proving that when we work together, we can build a city that is as aesthetically beautiful as it is socially just.