"Like pebbles in a stream"

Youngsters are a key component in the transition to a sustainable world, that’s clear. But how can we support their commitment? CATAPA and Youth Service Globelink show us how they collaborate with youngsters, building the earth’s future, while simultaneously creating more opportunities for them to get acquainted with the world. 


We consider taking action together essential to our projects. It’s not only about acquiring knowledge or establishing values.
Truike from CATAPA & Daphne from Globelink

International change 

When we walk into CATAPA’s home base we feel it immediately: this workspace breathes internationalisation! We run into Alberto, a Spanish staff member who used to be a European volunteer. On the highest floor, we meet Magdalena, a new European Solidarity Corps volunteer from Austria. She’s vigorously working on a new campaign.  

Support and action 

We sit down in the colorful kitchen with Truike Geerts, campaign officer at CATAPA and Daphne Cromze, staff member of Globelink and get straight to the point. How do their organizations contribute to a more sustainable and greener world?  

Truike: “CATAPA is a social movement with a clear goal: ending mining operations worldwide by 2050. The mining industry is highly polluting and the root of countless world problems. CATAPA actively works on making mining redundant: by supporting international partner organisations in South America in their fight against destructive mining operations, and by promoting an alternative, circular economic approach based on degrowth in Belgium.”  

Through large-scale and informative campaigns, CATAPA creates awareness about the link between mining and the products we use and produce in Belgium. Their target audience are young adults, 18 -35 years. “With our movement we aim to increase a wider acceptance to use as lever with policy makers,” said CATAPA. Until recently the organisation ran primarily on its own resources and project grants. Now CATAPA is recognized as a socio-cultural organisation and receives funding accordingly.   

We consider taking action together essential to our projects. It’s not only about acquiring knowledge or establishing values.
Daphne Crombez, Globelink

Youth Service Globelink also prioritizes the transition to a more just and sustainable world in their mission. To achieve this, they focus on youth participation. Daphne: “The voice of every young person counts for us. Everyone should feel safe enough to express themselves and inform politicians, civil society and other stakeholders of their views and opinions. Globelink works with youngsters who want to take action.” 

Their operations take many forms: debates with politicians, designing a mobility plan, painting a cross-walk in rainbow colors or mock debates to practice. Daphne emphasises: “We consider taking action together essential to our projects. It’s not only about acquiring knowledge or establishing values.”  

New blood 

Where does internationalisation fit into the story of their organisations? Because of CATPA’s focus on international solidarity, it’s only natural they include international volunteers and staff members. Truike wholeheartedly agrees, “We have been working with volunteers from abroad for years now. Every year the European volunteers bring new blood into our organization, resulting in new ideas and a dynamic atmosphere. Sometimes the effect is immediate, one of our volunteers had an active Twitter account and they gave the CATAPA media channels a solid boost. Each volunteer brings heaps of knowledge with them, and we try to embody this. Collaborating with European Solidarity Corps volunteers adds considerable value to our organization.   

It’s a very valuable experience for the volunteers too: “It’s not easy to launch yourself in this field. European volunteer work is a unique opportunity and a steppingstone to a job.”  

The magic of exchange 

Globelink's international approach is different. Daphne clarifies: "As a recognised national youth work organization, we work primarily locally and supra-locally and the youngsters we work with are aged 16 to 24. Internationalisation is a pretty recent instrument we’ve used to achieve our goals, we’ve only started focusing on it in the last couple of years. We acquired our accreditation for Erasmus+ in 2021, for example." 

How strong should the coffee be?

The common thread throughout the conversation? The impact of young volunteers and their work on the daily operation of the organizations. Truike: "Each year we have two full-time European volunteers in CATAPA. One focuses more on events and motion, the other on communication." They also play a significant role in supporting the local volunteer team, which consists of approximately 50 catapistas. Truike started with CATAPA as a volunteer and contributed for many years before she joined the organisation professionally. "Local volunteers are part of different project groups and take on a variety of responsibilities. The European volunteers are in the project groups too, creating a bridge between the CATAPA team and the volunteers.”  

Whether it’s challenging sometimes? Truike laughs, "The more southern a volunteer is, the stronger they want their coffee. So the main question in the office is: how strong should the coffee be?"  

A to Z 

Globelink is supported by a lof of ‘young blood’ in addition to its professional team too. “The young participants often take on other Globelink projects or they even become a part of our board. Youngsters can participate for a long time when they keep taking on different roles. That’s how we can repeatedly give them new opportunities.”  

Engaging youngsters from point A to Z: the DNA of Globelink is reflected in their Erasmus+ projects. Daphne: “We’re going to Rotterdam soon, and later we’ll be in Berlin. There we’ll discuss themes such as resilience and talent development. We’ve set up an entire trajectory for the young participants. When we started, we asked them: What do you want to do? What’s something that really speaks to you? Are there any topics that must be addressed? This way, we shape the exchange together.”  

Sustainability in practice 

Be the change you want to see in the world, is a mindset Globelink practices: "We always opt for sustainable transport," Daphne discloses. "That's definitely our policy. Train tickets are reimbursed, we don't even have an arrangement in place when you travel by car." Sustainable choices are made in the kitchen too. "We always offer vegan food. Young people don’t even question it anymore."  

We’re not martyrs, we shouldn’t neglect ourselves in the fight for a better world.
Truike from CATAPA

Truike agrees: "We also work as ecologically as possible in the office and operate with a sustainable purchasing policy. Alberto knows a lot about electronics, he keeps our laptops alive as long as possible. And by that, I mean more than 15 years." (laughs)  

Truike: "At the same time we see climate change as a systemic failure. Our message entails that that’s what needs to change. So, we wouldn’t point fingers if someone brings some processed meat to the office. And when you’re going to Latin America you have no choice but to fly. A boat would take weeks."  

Daphne: "We do the same. We work on global themes thematically, and we always indicate the structures that are failing."  

Small pebbles

Do they sometimes notice "climate fatigue" emerging among the young people they work with? Daphne: "Our young people testify about climate doomerism in their immediate environment. But young people are often hands on and they turn climate doomerism into something positive. They see this as a crucial focus of their actions, it’s their strength."  

However, improving the world takes a toll. Truike: “One of the biggest challenges when working on global issues: it isn’t always as satisfying as you’d want it to be. We aim for systemic change, but those changes are terribly slow. We need to focus on the pebbles that we’re moving in the stream. Fortunately the movement of degrowth is gaining more awareness, alternatives become more visible: that’s what we draw hope from.” 

Working with European Solidarity Corps volunteers undoubtedly adds great value to our organization.
Truike from CATAPA

Caring for the planet and yourself 

Truike: “We’ve been focusing on ‘sustainable activism’ recently. It’s a sustainable commitment where you don’t lose sight of caring for yourself, so the work doesn’t take as big of a toll. Teambuilding is a sizable part of this too. In this industry, burnout is very common, because you’re striving for something that’s nearly unachievable.   

We are not martyrs, we shouldn’t neglect ourselves in the fight for a better world. We try to create a safe, inclusive space where everyone feels welcome." Daphne nods approvingly, "That's exactly what we're also committed to: an inclusive approach where everyone feels safe to experiment. Where there’s room for relaxation!"

Working locally 

After an hour and a half of talking, our conversation finishes. At least, for now. "Our project groups now consist of people from all over Flanders and Brussels. But we're still looking for ways to work even more locally than we do now," Truike. "Through local groups that we encourage to take up local action. I'll call you about that sometime," she tells Daphne, referring to Globelink's local participation expertise. When I inform Truike about the existence of the Participation Projects, a new Erasmus+ grant format since 2021, Daphne interrupts, "We’re writing such a Participation Project right now!" The conversation between Globelink and CATAPA will undoubtedly continue.  

We work on global themes thematically, and we always indicate the structures that are failing.
Daphne from Globelink

Author: Rilke Mahieu  
Photos: Spark Design & Globelink  

This article appeared in the 8th edition of SCOOP magazine.