We asked our participants from the youth exchange “The Edge Effect” organized by ICSE & Co. between the 20th and 26th of July in Florence, Italy, how their feedback regarding this experience was. Here is what they had to say:
Maria Inés:
I will always cherish my experience in the “The Edge Effect” exchange program! The topic was one I didn’t feel comfortable with at first, but that’s exactly why I embarked on this experience, full of curiosity and of a desire to learn. I’m very grateful for the work of everyone involved because I think it was a super interesting and dynamic program, something I believe is essential to the learning process!
Joana:
The one week exchange program was wonderful, we had the chance to deeply explore the concepts of permaculture and how to build a permaculture project while being immersed in a multicultural environment, which enriched the program immensely. Villa Morghen was also beautiful and I loved its different spaces, from a game tavern and a library to a beautiful garden.
I especially liked how varied the activities were. We were able to express our ideas not only through words but through drawing, sculpting and even acting, which I felt reflects the out of the box creative nature of permaculture projects. The visit to the community center Lumen was very helpful in demonstrating how one of these projects can come to life and enrich its community.
Overall it was a wonderful week and I hope the “The Edge Effect” program can continue for other future attendees to enjoy.
My experience on this youth exchange program exceeded my expectations.
It was an intense week, I got to spend time with a group of people from four different countries, share my culture and learn about theirs.
I also decided to make the whole journey by train to use more sustainable transportation, which in itself was a unique experience. The trip took four days and I used 13 different modes of transportation, which allowed me to understand the overland route and the gradual changes in the landscapes and architecture.
This experience taught me that we can do a lot with very little and that we all have so much in common, even though we come from different cultures and places, an important lesson in a world where the rhetoric is increasingly focusing on division and differences.
I really enjoyed learning about the principles of permaculture and seeing them put into practice at a cultural/community space in Florence.
I also had the chance to talk about sustainability projects in Portugal that I’ve been involved in and to learn about various projects undertaken by the participants.
I feel privileged to have been able to participate in this youth exchange and to have met such unique people with whom I hope to stay in touch.
During a memorable week, I had the privilege of participating in a transformative project in Italy called “The Edge Effect,” which focused on the intersection of permaculture and sustainability. This project was more than just a training session; we delved deeply into the topic through a dynamic approach that combined games and moments of reflection.
We attended presentations from various countries that allowed us to cross borders without leaving our seats, learning about examples of how sustainability is being implemented in other European countries. We were also challenged to conceptualize and structure our own projects, moving from theory to action and designing sustainable solutions for the future.
We were introduced to Lumen, a cultural space that perfectly exemplifies successful urban regeneration, demonstrating how it is possible to transform a site and return it to the community, creating a true haven of culture and harmony with the surrounding environment.
In addition to the rich thematic content, we also had the opportunity to visit the city of Florence. The city’s art, history, and architecture served as a backdrop for the true essence of this project: human relationships. These cultural exchanges allowed us to forge friendships without borders that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Mariana N:
It’s amazing how just one week can bring together so much learning, sharing, and friendship. The Edge Effect was an experience that made me not only look at cities, sustainability, and communities in a different way but also at the importance of learning from others.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the way the activities were facilitated. I never felt that there were right or wrong answers, or that our creativity had any limits. On the contrary, we were always encouraged to share ideas, ask questions, experiment, and build solutions together. That atmosphere was also reflected in the group. Although we came from different countries and not everyone had the same level of English, I never felt any pressure to speak perfectly. The important thing was to communicate, listen, and participate. A space was created where everyone felt comfortable contributing, regardless of their experience or confidence in the language, and that made all the difference.
Throughout the week, it was also very inspiring to learn about the P’orto project. Hearing the story behind that space and seeing the impact the facilitators were able to create in the community made me realize that permaculture goes far beyond theory. It’s a way of looking at places, at people, and at the potential that exists even in the most overlooked spaces.
On top of all this, I also had the opportunity to explore Florence, making this experience even more special. I’m returning home with new perspectives, friendships I’ll carry with me, and the certainty that small ideas, when nurtured together, can lead to truly meaningful change.
Mariana R:
For a week, I had the opportunity to experience a unique project in Italy about permaculture and sustainability. We immersed ourselves in the subject through games, reflections, national presentations that allowed us to learn practical examples from other countries, and we even had the chance to devise our own sustainable projects. Our exploration of the topic culminated in a visit to Lumen, a cultural space that, through an urban regeneration project, provides the community with a place to meet and socialize.
Visiting the city of Florence was another highlight of the project, as well as the human connections that were created and the friends I made across borders who I will never forget.
The "The Edge Effect" project was special from the very first moment and will remain forever etched in my heart.
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