Szatyor Goes Abroad: a green bridge between youth, community and Nature
In the vibrant heart of Hungary, between the lively streets of Budapest and the quiet rhythm of the countryside, a movement is growing—one that weaves together community, sustainability, and personal growth. This is Szatyor goes Abroad, an initiative connecting young people from across Europe and guiding them toward a greener, more conscious future.
The Roots of Szatyor
The word “Szatyor” means “shopping bag” in Hungarian—a symbol of simplicity and a return to the essentials. The Szatyor Association was founded with the goal of creating a bridge between conscious consumers and local producers, promoting a sustainable lifestyle and a supportive community.
Through community events, educational programs, and workshops, the association has been sowing the seeds of ecology and social responsibility in the urban fabric of Budapest.
Beyond Borders: Szatyor goes Abroad
With the desire to expand its impact, the Szatyor goes Abroad project was born. The initiative connects young Europeans who share similar values, offering opportunities for volunteering and learning in rural Hungarian settings.
Through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program, participants immerse themselves in hands-on experiences—from permaculture to natural building, from environmental education to community event planning.
Volunteering Experiences
Imagine waking up to birdsong in a small Hungarian village. Your day begins in the garden, learning the principles of permaculture and working the fertile soil. In the afternoon, you team up with the local community to organize a festival celebrating tradition and sustainable arts. Every task becomes part of a larger mosaic of personal and collective growth.
Szatyor offers a wide range of opportunities. Those seeking a deeper immersion can join long-term volunteering placements, lasting 6 to 12 months in rural environments. Here, volunteers engage in sustainable agriculture, environmental education, and community development.
For those with less time, there are also short-term programs of around three weeks, focused on specific projects like natural building or cultural events.
Additionally, Szatyor organizes training sessions and themed workshops, covering topics such as permaculture, group facilitation, and intercultural communication, enriching the experience of those who dive in.
Youth Exchanges: Learning by Traveling
Beyond volunteering, Szatyor also hosts youth exchanges that allow participants to explore themes of sustainability in an international setting. For example, the FOODPRINT project brought together young people from Romania, Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary to explore healthy and sustainable food alternatives.
In a countryside home in Etyek, participants engaged in workshops, hands-on cooking activities, and deep discussions—building connections that went far beyond borders.
A Tangible Impact
The stories of Szatyor volunteers speak to the transformative power of these experiences.
In Budapest, Tamar, a Georgian teacher, joined Szatyor to gain new perspectives on environmental education. Through his involvement, he developed programs for children and teens, teaching them to appreciate and care for Nature.
Elsewhere in Hungary, volunteers joined forces with the local community to co-create the EcoDecor Gathering at Manas Garden—an event that blended art and sustainability, offering workshops on eco-friendly decorations and inspiring a lifestyle in harmony with the Earth.
Self-Sufficiency as a Cultural Practice
In everything it does, Szatyor goes Abroad promotes a vision of self-sufficiency that goes far beyond growing your own food. It’s a form of daily autonomy, rooted in caring for shared spaces, exchanging skills, and creating concrete alternatives to the dominant consumer model.
Building with natural materials, cooking with local ingredients, and organizing events using simple, accessible resources—these actions reduce reliance on external systems and help grow more resilient communities.
But self-sufficiency here is also cultural. It means learning to live with less without feeling deprived. It means rediscovering the beauty of the handmade, the slow, the shared. Every experience in this setting is a step toward greater independence—not only materially, but emotionally and relationally too.
In a Nutshell
In a world that moves fast, Szatyor goes Abroad offers the chance to slow down, reconnect with Nature, and build resilient communities.
Through volunteering and cultural exchange, participants not only gain practical skills, but become part of a wider movement toward environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Every experience here is a seed—planted with intention—destined to bloom into a future that’s greener, wiser, and shared.