On Monday 29 March, the Greens in the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) organised a webinar for young people from European youth councils, youth parliaments and youth organisations, 'Your voice for a greener Europe! European youth councils network on environmental action'. The participants from 12 different Member States discussed climate action as well as participation and networking opportunities for European youth councils and parliaments, starting also a discussion on possible future cooperation in Europe.

Thomas Matthew, board member of the European Youth Forum, presented the European Youth Capital project, a title awarded by the European Youth Forum designed to empower young people, boost youth participation and strengthen European identity.

Aleksanteri Kekonen, former acting president of the Youth Council of Oulu, Finland, shared his experience of setting up the Finnish Agenda 2030 Youth Group. The group is a platform for young people to advocate for their ideas regarding the Agenda 2030 and to participate in the national planning as well as implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Joanna Kesicka, president of the Saxon State School Student Board, Germany, provided a student perspective, by telling about her experience organising a climate conference of Saxon students. The conference in 2020 was attended by 600 students, to discuss climate policy in Saxony with the Minister President and several State Ministers.

All participants had the opportunity to share their experiences and exchange ideas on the impact of European youth councils and youth parliaments on environmental action. It became clear that they would all appreciate more cross-border cooperation at European level. Another key objective identified, was to achieve legal basis for the youth councils in Member States where this does not exist yet. The legal basis would allow for a framework and financial basis for joint policy recommendations, campaigns and activities.

It is our aspiration that the webinar marks the start of future cooperation between youth councils and youth parliaments in Europe.

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Photo credits: Xenia Rak

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