Community Street Cleanup & Green Initiatives

Community street cleanup & green initiatives—where teens pick up litter, plant flowers in sidewalk planters, and hang "reduce waste" posters—are making neighborhoods cleaner and greener. Unlike occasional cleanups, these include long-term projects. In Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Berlin (Germany), 45+ initiatives have transformed 30+ streets, with 85% of residents reporting "pride in our area." 16-year-old Sofia in Rio said: "We cleaned a dirty alley and planted sunflowers—now kids play there, and a local artist painted a mural on the wall. Tourists even take photos there! We also started a ‘zero-waste challenge’ for shops, asking them to use less plastic." Teens partner with local governments for supplies and host "green workshops" for kids. This initiative proves that small acts make big changes.

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