Asociatia Alternativa Eco

The Eco Alternative Association was born at the initiative of a group of young people who realized that

`the change` begins with each of us, and can only happen through practical actions and direct

involvement. We are aware that environmental protection and ecology should be a major focus of

interest, at a time when the planet is increasingly suffocated, and finding a strategy to protect it is

mandatory. That is why we decided to lay the foundations of an association that, with small but solid

steps, will awaken the spirit of initiative among the young generation and change the general mentality

regarding the care for the environment.

The Alternative Eco Association is an apolitical, non-governmental, non-discriminatory, civic and

independent organization from other state bodies, established by free choice and the initiative of the

founding members in June 2020. The aim of the association is raising interest in ecology among the

young generation, in active citizenship and sustainable living solutions.

Even though the Eco Alternative Association is still in the growing process, we are relying on our

team's vast experience in the field, in implementing and facilitating projects aimed for the community,

working with young people, and implementing activities based on non-formal education methods.

In December 2020, We were selected for a 2 year membership in the National Council for Youth,

advisory body for the Youth and Sports Ministry. Through this membership we are planning to increase

the representation of the local young people into the decision making structures and bodies. As

members, we contributed to the writing of the Nation Youth Strategy 2021-2027.

Since August 2020, we have started an `Information Campaign about Environment Protection`, both

locally, in Turda city, Cluj county (with the help of the local volunteers) and online on our Facebook and

Instagram pages. Also We created a group of local youth with whom we organize constant meetings

and already established a strategy for promoting environmental protection in Turda city. To be more

effective, with this local youth group, we travel in other areas like Caras-Severin county, or Timis

County, to promote our purpose.

Our activity has gradually expanded from a local level to a regional dimension, from the North-West to

the West of the country, with activity centers in the cities of Turda and Timișoara, as well as in the

surrounding peri-urban areas. In February 2023, we opened a new branch in Moșnița Nouă, Timiș

County, further strengthening our national presence and commitment to the community.

In 2026, we relocated our headquarters to Timișoara, which marked an important step in our

organizational development and consolidated our long-term presence in Western Romania.

In February 2024 we were selected to be part of the National Working Group of Romania subordinated

to the Ministry of Family, Youth, and Equal Opportunities. The National Working Group, supports policy

development, implementation, and advocacy to promote family welfare, youth development, and

gender equality.

https://mfamilie.gov.ro/1/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/COMPONENTA-GNL.pdf

In July 2025, we were honored to be selected as a new member NGO of the Youth Express Network in

Strasbourg, France, joining their inspiring community. Youth Express Network unites 32 member

organisations from 18 European countries, with over 32 years of experience in empowering young

people and promoting inclusion. Through this membership, we embrace the opportunity to collaborate,

exchange, and contribute to a stronger European youth voice.

https://youthexpressnetwork.org/our-members/

AAE is part of a network of partner organizations in Romania and in different EU and extra-EU countries, cooperating for projects and activities in the field of Youth NGO Management and Environmental Friendly Youth Work, Youth participation for recycling, Youth self-entrepreneurship, Rural development and Sustainable Growth, Environment protection, Nature and Healthy Lifestyle, Human Rights, Human Rights Education, Youth Activism against Hate Speech, and so on.

Eco Alternative Association staff has a wide experience in implementing non formal education activities, all of the team members being part, or have been part of other similar NGO's for several years. Eco Alternative is an initiative that wants to change the mentality of the young generation in Romania (and Europe through Erasmus+) regarding the environmental issues, recycling, and sustainability. Having a vast experience in youth work, the team of AAE will try to make this initiative a great opportunity for youngsters to grow, develop, improve themselves, and volunteer in the benefit of the community, the planet and, none of the less, of themselves.

We also rely on a group of university teachers, trainers and facilitators, members of AAE NGO, that we will work closely with so that all the implemented projects will be based on high quality standards.

Throughout the implementation of 8 Erasmus+ youth mobility projects, we seized the opportunity to impart valuable learning experiences to a total of 310 individuals aged between 14 and 30. These projects served as platforms for educating young participants on a diverse range of subjects, spanning from social inclusion to fostering sustainable thought processes and cultivating environmentally friendly enterprises. A part of these initiatives also focused on instilling knowledge about active citizenship matters. We have partnered in 5 successful KA152 and 5 KA153 Erasmus+ projects, covering topics such as environmental protection, mental health, refugee support, and active citizenship through arts.