Young people, democracy and climate action: YEAs working for climate justice

Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from Georgia, Italy and France experienced a transformative experience at the Symposium on ‘Young People, Democracy, and Climate Action’, which took place from 24-26 September in Strasbourg. Not only did the YEAs participate in workshops and learn innovative approaches to environmental protection practices, but they also had their own stand at the Climate Action Fair in Strasbourg.

One of those taking part was Avtandil Svianadze, a YEA from Georgia, who participated in a workshop on ‘Young people’s mental health in the context of the climate crisis’. “I was so glad to participate in the symposium on democracy and climate action because it has significance for me,” he said. “Nowadays, as in some parts of central and eastern Europe, droughts, flooding, and landslides are also issues in Georgia due to climate change. Being a part of a diverse group of individuals representing various parts of Europe, from Portugal to Georgia, made us feel inspired and motivated to do our work even better.”

“Since my educational and volunteering experience is about the green transition, sustainable development, and the European Green Deal, I was so grateful to be able to exchange with experts and learn the tools we can use to achieve climate justice… Learning new psychological concepts, such as eco-anxiety and solastalgia, motivated me to go deeper into the topic of climate justice and therefore advocate for our environmental protection more effectively from now on.”

Avtandil also showcased Ozzy and the actions of the EU NEIGHBOURS EAST programme at the Climate Fair in Strasbourg: “I was so excited to introduce Ozzy, the key character in ‘Lightbulb’, a comic book from the EU4Energy programme, which highlights sustainable energy practices. During the Climate Fair, I was proud to be able to showcase the excellent things we do at the EUNEIGHBOURS EAST.”

YEAs at the Info Fair. Credit: Youth Partnership/Outdoor360

Sara Bartoli, a YEA from Italy, also took part in the workshop on mental health and climate change. Part of the session took place on yoga mats, allowing participants to lie down and unwind, fostering a cozy and calming atmosphere conducive to open dialogue.

“I gained valuable insights into the ‘wheel of emotions’, especially in relation to the climate crisis,” she said. “This exercise helped me understand that emotions surrounding this issue are often complex and layered – rather than feeling a singular emotion, we experience a mixture of them simultaneously.”

Another highlight was the ‘emotional map of the body’ activity: “We were asked to draw on a figure of the body where we felt physical pain or discomfort related to eco-anxiety and climate change, and to track how those sensations shifted. It was a deeply introspective exercise that brought clarity to how we carry these emotions physically.”

Sara said she appreciated the regular moments of reflection throughout the workshop, where participants were encouraged to think about what resonated most with them and what they would take away. “For me, the most significant takeaway was a sense of hope, coupled with the urgent need to advocate for change among my peers. I left with a renewed understanding that only through collective action can we address the pressing issues of the climate crisis.”

French YEA Claudia Klos said the symposium had highlighted how young people have grown tired of greenwashed discourses. Speakers and participants at the event all connected the climate crisis to our social organisation, and Claudia quoted Caillum Hedderman, one of the speakers, who stressed that “Climate Change [is] a symptom of a system of overproduction and consumption”. She also highlighted concerns that the issue was being instrumentalised with a risk for democratic backsliding and a shrinking space for protest.

“The question of ‘Youth-washing’ also arises: young people demand to be listened to and not solely platformed. And however challenging the future may appear, the Symposium on Young People, Democracy and Climate Action provided us a platform of exchange and expression,” she said.

A rapporteur was present at every workshop to note down the elements of discussion, visuals and reports from the symposium, which will shape the future directives of the Council of Europe and of DG EAC at the European Commission. They are to be found at this address by the end of the year.

Claudia participated in a workshop on “multiple insecurities and their relation to climate crisis”. “There, I had the pleasure of listening to EU NEIGHBOURS EAST alumni and holder of a PhD in ecology, Nataliia Yaroshenko. Not only has Nataliia raised awareness on environmental disasters in Eastern Partnership countries due to climate change, but she also shed light on the crucial role of governance. A case in point was the hiding of data from wildfires in Georgia for fear of sanctions, which complicated the work of prevention, or the neglect of the Cuciurgan power station in Transnistria responsible for air pollution in the region.”

YEA Claudia Klos and Alumni Nataliia Yaroshenko. Credit: Youth Partnership/Outdoor360

She also highlighted the issue of war-induced soil pollution in Ukraine, where over 5 million hectares of soil are contaminated due to mines, explosive or technological devices and ongoing military operations. This must be borne in mind as, in the words of Nataliia Yaroshenko, “Ecosystems cannot be divided by conventional borders. […] If the natural balance is destroyed in one geolocation, it will certainly be felt in another.”

Overall, The YEAs learnt how to contextualise the consequences of the climate crisis on young people and the youth sector in Europe. This experience will help them to work effectively on the youth and sustainability policy by innovating climate justice practices.