The Youth Exchange "In love with energy efficiency" took place in Tirana and Himara (Albania) from 7th to 15th of October 2014. Young people from Czech Republic, Albania, Poland, Spain and Moldova gathered to share their knowledge on renewable resources and energy efficiency, to exchange best energy-related practices and initiatives from their countries and to adopt a proactive attitude towards energy saving.

Participants had discussions with an expert on the topic, learned how to build a solar oven, how to organize an awareness campaign, how to eco-map their home and office and developed tips on how to save energy daily.

Participants of the youth exchange stayed in "Agave Village", a collection of houses and facilities built with sustainability principles. Main source of energy for the village are solar panels. Rainwater collectors are also installed there. Thanks to Agave Village location on the sunny coast of the Ionian Sea, the sun provides Agave Village with enough energy to keep inputs from the main Albanian power grid to the minimum, and also its visitors with spectacular sunsets around Porto Palermo, a historic fortress which is considered to have been built by Venetians since the 16th century.

Albania is known for its hospitable people, but also for its unreliable power network and slow adoption of eco-friendly habits. That is the reason we intended to spread the awareness about energy efficiency in Himara. We tried to understand what is the best we can do for the people in Himara regarding energy and ecology. Divided in three groups, we prepared several public actions. Each group chose a topic which they found interesting. The topics were "Saving energy", "Eco-tourism" and "Renewable energies". Each group set objectives, target group and decided on the type of action. We prepared materials, slogans, posters, some of us even surveys and we went to the streets of Himara. Although many local people "didn't have time", those who were willing to stop and talk with us were very friendly and interested on the topic. Overall the public actions were a success. Local people and tourists were willing to share, listen and learn new information about energy efficiency.

The youth exchange was organised by YEE and EDEN Center, that also hosted the activity. Find out more about the project here.