About the Project

The main aim of the Go Green project is to promote environmental sustainability through two initiatives: the recycling of expired cards - Recollect - and creation of secondhand markets to give a new home to non-used clothes and books - Rewear. We expect to promote sustainable habits and a circular economy reducing, therefore, material consumption.

Rewear is a partnership initiative between ESN Portugal and Let’s Swap for the implementation of secondhand markets.

It is of extreme importance for ESN Portugal to promote engagement with this project among its ESN sections and ensure it is being locally implemented. Considering this project is part of our federation’s broader mission to promote environmental sustainability, it is clear that it needs increased visibility and support from the national level to enable its implementation by local volunteers.

Promote Environmental Sustainability

This initiative aims to reduce textile waste by giving a second life to clothes and books and recycling expired cards to create urban furniture, while raising awareness about the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion.

Foster a Circular Economy

By encouraging sustainable consumption habits among international students and the local community through the implementation of secondhand markets to trade clothes and books with a non-consumerist mindset.

Promote Accessibility and Affordability

The project offers swap markets free of charge for the ESN community and the local community, giving easier access to products and reducing consumption.

How Can I Support This Project?

Local Sections: Prepare a box to collect non-valid cards from international students, volunteers, and local community and establish a contact with your respective Let’s Swap nucleum through the Projects Coordinator of ESN Portugal.

International Students: Put your unwanted cards inside the box in your local ESN section. Participation in the secondhand markets is also valuable to promote sustainable habits!

✓ Gathering of 2000 cards

✓ Campaign at the end of the academic year

Campaign at the end of the Spring Semester 2025/2026 to collect cards of students finalizing their mobility period in the National Platform Minho.

✓ Campaign in one international event

International collection of cards during the Community Meetings Aveiro 2025, with volunteers from across the network contributing.

✓ Punctual campaign/event

Collecting unwanted cards during all ESN Portugal national events until the end of 2025/2026 mandate (5 events total).

✓ Constant card gathering in local sections

Card collection boxes in ESN offices; working towards Higher Education Institutions to reach more participants.

✓ Implementation of a secondhand market event in the second semester

Partnership with Let’s Swap to implement secondhand markets, with a point system to categorise objects given and received. This will run in the second semester in sections showing availability.

Project Guidelines 2025/2026

Communication Package 2025/2026

Project Report 2024 - 2025

Guidelines 2024

Spring Semester 2024/2025: ESNUpgrade Covilhã gathered 35 volunteers and international students to plant 250 trees out of 1000 donated to Serra da Estrela National Park.

In 2024, the “Go Green” project collected approximately 18 kg of expired or unwanted plastic cards, well above the original goal of 12 kg, with the majority being ESNcards. This data helps improve the project annually!

For further information or questions, contact board@esnportugal.org or secretary@esnportugal.org.

Help us make the difference!