Programme Travel Different for Future

An educational peer-to-peer programme to promote sustainable tourism and a sustainable lifestyle

Who we are

This international programme is a joint educational initiative led by four non-governmental organisations from Germany, Slovenia, Portugal and Spain. Together we promote sustainable and responsible travel by reducing the negative impact of tourism on the environment, local communities and people working in the tourism industry through education, youth engagement and awareness-raising.

Among the four partner organisations, three are members of the Hostelling International network — Hostelling International Slovenia, REAJ and Movijovem — while JANUN Hannover e.V. is a long-standing German youth environmental NGO. By combining expertise in sustainable tourism, environmental education and intercultural learning, we empower young people across Europe to rethink how and why they travel for a fairer and more sustainable future.

Our mission and goals

Travel Different for Future is an educational programme that inspires a new generation of travellers to explore the world more consciously. It encourages young people to understand how travel choices affect the environment, local communities and cultural heritage, and shows that travelling responsibly can be just as exciting and enriching. The programme combines education, creativity and youth participation to promote sustainable tourism and everyday sustainable living.

As part of the programme, we have developed a series of interactive workshops on sustainable tourism for schools, youth organisations and youth hostels. They invite participants to reflect on the impact of travel, discuss mobility choices and learn how to make their journeys more climate-friendly. The workshops are led by young educators who help bring sustainability closer to their peers. You can discover the full list of workshops here.

Beyond the workshops, the programme also connects young people through our TDFF Blog, where they share their ideas, experiences and reflections about sustainable lifestyles and travel. Another important initiative is the Climate-Friendly School Trips Campaign, which helps schools plan educational trips with lower environmental impact.

Together, these activities create a space where young people learn, act and inspire others to travel differently for a better future. To learn more about the key components and structure of the programme, visit this page, where you can explore how each part contributes to promoting sustainable tourism and education across Europe.

Why this programme matters

Travelling is fun. It can inspire and educate. Holidays are often the best days of the year, and tourism has become an important part of our lives and the global economy.

Worldwide, one in ten employees has a job that is directly related to tourism. Tourism contributed 10.4% to the global economic output in 2018. In every third “developing country”, tourism is the main source of foreign income. But is this always socially and environmentally compatible? And what does travelling mean for our climate? Tourism is responsible for 8% of all climate gases caused by us humans. We, humans, travel more often and further each year. Predictions say that global tourism is expected to double between 2010 and 2030. It is obvious that travelling changes the world, both positively and negatively.

In today’s world, where climate change and over-tourism are shaping the future of our planet, we need to rethink how we travel. The aim of the programme is not to depict travelling in a bad light but to show that a sustainable world also needs sustainable tourism. We encourage young people to travel more consciously and to reflect on the impact of their choices. Through our educational activities, we exchange ideas, provide inspiration and share good examples that prove responsible travel can create positive change.

How to be part of the programme

As a young person aged between 18 and 28

If you’re from Slovenia, Germany, Portugal or Spain, you’re welcome to apply and become part of our international volunteer team that connects young people aged 18–28. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to facilitate sustainable tourism workshops in schools, youth organisations, youth hostels, and to take part in international activities that connect young people across Europe.

If you live outside these countries, you are still welcome to contact us. You can contribute in other ways — for example, by writing for our blog or by organising workshops independently using our freely available materials. All workshops are accessible online for everyone who would like to use them in their own community or school.

For more information and to access the application form, visit this page.

As a young person aged between 13 and 18

Young people in this age group can also join the Travel Different for Future programme. By encouraging your teachers or school to invite our volunteers to your classroom, you will contribute a lot, even though it may not seem that important at first glance. Together, you can explore how travel affects the environment and how to make your future school trips more sustainable.

You can also get involved through our Climate-Friendly School Trips Campaign, which helps schools rethink the way they organise excursions and implement climate-friendly travel habits. Talk to your teachers, share your ideas, and take the first steps toward positive change at your school.

If you’re looking for more inspiration on how to be actively sustainable in your daily life, read our article titled Get Involved – Beyond Individual Actions and discover simple, meaningful ways to make a difference.

As a teacher or youth worker

Teachers and youth workers from Slovenia, Germany, Portugal and Spain can invite our team to deliver workshops for their students or youth groups. A variety of topics is already available, and new modules are being developed.

Your support is essential for making these workshops possible. By providing a classroom or any suitable space, you help create an environment where young people can explore, reflect and express themselves freely. During our sessions, participants share their ideas, values and perspectives on sustainability while strengthening the skills and confidence that will help them build a better tomorrow.

If you are based in another country, you can freely download the materials from our website and use them to organise your own workshops. We are happy to share ideas and offer guidance to make the experience engaging and meaningful for your students.

To get in touch with us, visit our Contact page, where you can find the details of all four partner organisations or reach us directly through the online form.

For everyone else

Even if you are not a young volunteer or a teacher, you can still take part by spreading the word about the programme. Please share it with your friends, colleagues or schools that might be interested, and help us grow a community of responsible travellers.

Stay connected

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with new workshops, international opportunities and inspiring stories from young people who travel differently for a better future.

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to discover fresh ideas, behind-the-scenes moments and updates from our volunteers and partners across Europe.