Youth Lab for Environment
Start date: Aug 5, 2015,
End date: Apr 4, 2016
PROJECT
FINISHED
2015 is a milestone year in citizen involvment in climate protection: UN’s campaign “Action for Climate” mobilised hundreds of thousands of people worldwide to campaign for their rights to a clean environment and to engage their governments in climate-friendly measures. UN Climate Summit in 2014 succeeded in putting the burning issue of the climate change on the table not only for policy makers but also for citizens who gained awareness on the ways climate change is affecting their everyday lives. In addition, programmes such as UN’s Decade for “Water for Life 2005-2015” and the newly launched UN Decade for Sustainable Energy for All invite local actors to play a vital role in mobilising all their resources for active measures.
European Union has long ago caught up with the tide and has launched a series of environmental protection strategies towards its 2020 goals. Europe2020’s target on climate change and energy sustainability, the 2020 EU biodiversity policy and strategy, the European Energy Efficiency Plan 2020 and all other relevant initiatives and decisions of the European Union are important steps towards policy making but fall short on citizens’ level of awareness.
It is noted that especially among the youth, awareness on specific environmental challenges and also opportunities is not as wide as it should be. Especially so for youth with fewer opportunities, the environment is low on the agenda of vital actions.
The project aims to bring together youth from different and quite diverse parts of Europe in order to discuss environmental challenges and how they can have an impact on them. Central Europe, Baltic and Mediterranean participants will discuss how they understand environmental challenges in their own regions, what actions can be undertaken and what is their role as active citizens. Furthermore, they will familiarize with European and global policy making and international environmental protection organisations and their work. Last but definitely not least, the participants will acquire knowledge on green economy, green careers and green education.
Through this project it is expected to increase the level of youth involvement in environmental actions in the respective regions where the activities will be held, and to raise awareness on sustainable choices for lifestyle and career options.
The project's main objective is to raise youth awareness on environmental issues such as:
• Climate change
• Protection of Biodiversity
• Sustainability of resources
As well as:
• Policy making on a European and international level for climate change
• Local actions and strategies for green cities
• Environment-friendly living
• Green jobs/ green career choices
• Green education
Get Access to the 1st Network for European Cooperation
Log In