SOLACE: Building Eco-Resilience in the Face of Climate Challenges

From September 2-11, 2024, the eco-community of Grain&Sens in Lavenant, France, hosted an inspiring Erasmus+ Youth Exchange event called “SOLACE: Strengthening Our Lives Amidst Climate-Related Ecological Challenges.” This transformative program brought together young participants from diverse backgrounds to explore eco-resilience and address eco-anxiety through connection, reflection, and action.

The week-long event was guided by the principles of Joanna Macy’s Spiral of Work, fostering a deep and structured journey. Participants moved from gratitude to honoring pain for the world, nurturing seeds of action, and harvesting insights for meaningful change. Morning circles, group reflections, and creative activities fostered a powerful sense of community, while unstructured moments of laughter, games, and bonfires deepened the bonds between participants.

One of the most impactful experiences was the “Council of All Beings,” where participants embodied elements of nature—mushrooms, trees, and more—to express perspectives on the state of the world. This powerful activity encouraged participants to channel grief, anger, and fear into gratitude, resilience, and hope, offering new perspectives on collective ecological action.

SOLACE wasn’t just about addressing climate concerns, it was about building a supportive community and inspiring young people to envision a hopeful, sustainable future. As one participant, Amalia Boselova, shared: “I left the exchange more hopeful that we can build a better future on this planet together, knowing such inspiring humans are living here.”