When Young People Lead the Conversation on Sustainability
Now in its fourth edition, Ecolario is a three-to-four-day sustainability festival held every May in Como and its surroundings, organised entirely by a network of local associations and youth groups. The event grew out of a shared desire to raise awareness among citizens about their relationship with the land and the environment — and to do so through the lens of culture, creativity, and collective participation rather than top-down instruction.
The festival is the product of collaboration between nine organisations, including WeRoof, Circolo Olmo, La Beula magazine, Studio Limbo, Legambiente Como, the Provincial Council of Students of Como, WeForThePlanet, Teatro Sociale di Como, and Hanami — a creative network that explores the intersection of sustainable fashion, upcycling, and craftsmanship. Together, they have built a cultural event that speaks directly to young people, using a language and register that feels contemporary, authentic, and non-institutional.
Three Days of Culture, Nature, and Action
During the festival days, a wide range of activities unfolds: exhibitions, guided walks, workshops, street parades, concerts and performances, and a dedicated farmers’ market. Young people are central not only as participants but as organisers and volunteers who help run the events themselves. In its most recent edition, high school students participated in the festival through the PCTO system — the Italian framework for transversal skills and vocational orientation — working specifically in support of the farmers’ market. Their participation was made possible by a dedicated project funded by the Lombardy Region, which allowed schools to formally recognise the experience.
Peer-to-Peer Learning in Action
What makes Ecolario particularly relevant for sustainable learning is the generational dynamic at its core. Young people encounter sustainability issues through an initiative organised by people barely older than themselves — peers who speak the same language, share the same cultural references, and make environmental themes feel relevant and engaging rather than abstract or moralistic. No formal educator is involved in the organisation of the festival; the school of origin simply certifies students’ participation in their PCTO hours.
Challenges and Opportunities
One area for improvement is the reliability of participation: not all high school students who signed up for the PCTO experience actually followed through and showed up. This is a common challenge in voluntary and semi-formal educational settings, and Ecolario is actively working on strategies to address it. The success factor of PCTO recognition has been pivotal in attracting school involvement in the first place, and its continuation depends on maintaining those institutional connections.
Relevance for Sustainable Learning
Ecolario is a vivid illustration of how youth-led, community-rooted non-formal learning can bring sustainability alive for young people in a way that more traditional formats struggle to achieve. It links strongly to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and demonstrates the power of peer education in shaping environmental awareness.
Website: ecolariocomo.it
Contact: Lorenzo Uccello – ecolario.como@gmail.com
