The project “Green Generation: Young changemakers for the future of Europe” helped strengthening the role of young people in the European political arena by acting on two pillars of the current European Youth Strategy (2019-2027): Engage and Empower.

The project contributed to the implementation of the “EU Youth Strategy” and to the current cycle of the Structured Dialogue by delivering a series of recommendation on sustainable development, climate change and green Europe developed by the young participants. The choice of these topics is connected to the current heightened awareness about environment and climate change among young people. Recent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) statistics show that 84% of youth need more information to prevent climate change, while 89% of youth say that they can make a difference in climate change. Numerous actions started spontaneously by young people in Europe, like climate marches, awareness-raising campaigns to protect the environment and so on, show that a discussion in this area can bring together a critical mass of young people and make them feel like active European citizens working towards common social goals. Additionally, pollution and climate change potentially represent a major threat to the health and socio-economic stability of youth, and, for this reason, it is necessary to reinforce their engagement by empowering them and making their voice heard in this policy area.

The project “Green Generation: Young changemakers for the future of Europe” helped to raise the voice of young people in the policy arena, giving them an opportunity to express their opinions and deliver policy proposals in the field of sustainable development, climate change and green Europe.

In particular, the consultation and discussion implemented during the event focused on three of the European Youth Goals enshrined in the 6th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue:

– Connecting EU with youth

– Information and constructive dialogue

– Sustainable green Europe

In two seminars we involved 200 high school and university students from different parts of Italy. The young participants have been selected taking into account the following key competencies, personal and social qualities:

1. Gender balance and equal opportunity, without any discrimination based on race, religion, and sex;
2. Academic interest in the project topics;
3. Representation of diverse social and economic backgrounds;
4. Motivation to be actively involved in all the phases of the project, including dissemination and evaluation;
5. Good knowledge of English.

1. B) Decision-makers at a national and EU level

We invited to participate in the seminars active national level representatives in the field of youth and environment.

Training Session Preparatory Event

Doaa ABDEL-MOTAAL, Advisory Council, Guarini Institute of Public Affairs

Giuseppe ONUFRIO, Direttore esecutivo di Greenpeace Italia

1. C) Experts from NGOs working in related sectors

Some organisations in the field of youth engagement, climate change and the environment were invited to the two seminars. Representatives of these organisations participated in the panels and contributed to the discussion during the seminar by illustrating case studies on youth empowerment as well as successful citizens’ experiences in the fields of environment and climate change.

Total duration: 2 full days. 16 September – 1 October

Title: Connecting the European Union with young people in the field of sustainable development and the fight against climate change.

Venue: SIOI, Rome

Number of participants: 120 young people (aged 18-25), out of which 84 are covered by the project grant. This group includes the 30 young facilitators in charge of animating the discussion and assisting in the logistics and communication. Other participants: 6 comprised of decision-makers and experts from NGOs.

16 September 9-16

Connecting the European Union with young people in the field of sustainable development and the fight against climate change

Alessandro Politi, expert on geopolitics

1 October 9-17

Connecting the European Union with young people in the field of sustainable development and the fight against climate change

The Geopolitical Situation in the Arctic: EU and National Strategies

Marie-Anne CONINSX, EU Ambassador at Large for the Arctic

Sustainable Development: the Key of the Development

Torjus Kleiven KANDAL, Special Adviser EU Affairs, North Norway European Office

Erik SIVERSTEN, Chair, Delegation of Arctic Cooperation, Norwegian Parliament

Antonello PROVENZALE, Italian National Council of Research

SIOI – UNA Italy and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Italy, in collaboration with the High North Center for Business and Governance – Nord University (Bodø), launched the Seminar “Connecting the European Union with young people in the field of sustainable development and the fight against climate change”, realized in the framework of the main event Arctic Connections

This seminar provided the young participants with first-hand training and reflection on the project topics. It allowed definition of the roles and approaches with decision-makers for the following

seminar and equip participants with a set of skills necessary to be able to discuss and present their

opinions effectively.

Methodology: young people were stimulated by the facilitators to use soft skills and creativity during small working groups and laboratories focused on peer-to-peer learning. Was followed a “learning by doing method” where learning is driven by experience, role playing and reflection on how to better connect young people and the EU in environmental and climate change policies.

Seminar 2 (A2) 

Total duration: 3 full days.

Title: The role and ideas of young people for a green and sustainable Europe – ZeroHackathon on Oceans and Poles

Venue: SIOI, Rome

Number of participants: 200 young people (aged 18-25), out of which 84 are covered by the project grant. This group includes the 30 young facilitators, in charge of animating the discussion, managing the discussion between young people and assisting in the logistics and communication.

SIOI – UNA Italy (Italian Society for International Organization – UN Association of Italy), in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, the United States Embassy in Italy, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Rome,  and together with the Students’ Movement for International Organization (MSOI/UNYA-Italy), launched the youth event #ZEROHackathon 2019, the International Youth Marathon of Ideas on Oceans and Poles, that took place in Rome from 2nd to 4th October 2019.

This seminar focused on the dialogue between young people and decision-makers through innovative approaches. It was used the Hackathon methodology, which is related to the concept of Design Thinking. This concept focuses on a person’s ability, as a promoter of conceptual development, to define the problem and implement solutions by focusing on users’ needs. The seminar took the form of a civic Hackathon where participants worked together through creative thinking and involvement in developing innovative solutions focused on real environmental needs. The objective was to have participants express their opinions by promoting sustainable use of marine areas and Arctic and Antarctic resources, and, furthermore, respond by creating solutions to the multiple changes as a result of global warming and environmental pollution.

200 students – gathered in Rome at SIOI’s Headquarters- have been requested to work in team in order to develop innovation and concrete solutions to face four real challenges launched during the training session on the first day:

Oceans and Marine Protected Areas: environment and biodiversity

Marine Management of pollution: wastes and plastic

Climate Change: Protection of Arctic and Antarctic

The exploitation of Arctic and Antarctic resources: Geo-Strategic implications, security and sustainable development.

Winning teams

High School Division

team 14: Save the savable / Challenge 4

Topic:4 – The Exploitation of Arctic and Antarctic Resources: Geo-Strategic Implications, Security Sustainable Development.

Team Members: Francesco Pio Angelozzi, Francesco Pastore, Lorenzo De Sensi, Carmine Lamberti, Valerio Calamarino, Laura Grassi, Gaia Pattai, Martina Palmieri, Chiara Amerio, Benedetta Nocerino.

Proposal in brief: Brief theatrical sketch that shows a debate between grandfather and his granddaughter. The story is set after expiry of the Antarctic treaty and has as its objective awareness among spectators.

Academic Division

Team 4: 4 A.I.P.A / Challenge 1

 Topic:1 – Oceans and marine protected areas: Environment and Biodiversity

Team Members: Mara Bragalone, Lorenzo Babudri, Daniel Volpi, Maria Barrasso, Francesca Esposito, Federica Galluzzo, Yasmine Ellaban, Antonio Paduano.

Proposal in brief: Our specific goal is to create an app named “SYO” thought for students between 16 and 19 years old in order to raise their awareness of the impact of climate changes on the oceanic environment. “SYO” will have 4 sections: data base; quiz; daily good practices; “did you know?”. We want to encourage the creation of a conscious generation on the importance of the oceans and bio diversity, focused toward their protection.