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Description
We are expanding the project to activate, strengthen and involve young people in decision-making in tackling climate change and increase their acceptance of their participation in decision-making by the public administration and the general public. We focus on involving young and other actors in the design and implementation of practical adaptation and mitigation measures at the local level in cooperation with the local government and the community. We will involve 900 people, of which 40 people with decision-making power, 40 events involving citizens will take place, incl. local climate plans, the Citizenship Week course will be established, and the methodology will be updated and disseminated.
Summary of project results
The project sought to address the low priority given to climate change at the local level, which is often perceived as a matter for government policy or professional institutions. The aim was to increase awareness and involvement of the local community and young people in activities aimed at climate protection and sustainable development.
The project strengthened active citizenship among young people and their involvement in local decision-making processes. It enabled young people to meet local government representatives, which in most cases led to the development of cooperation and the realisation of the potential of young people to contribute to local change. Seven one-day workshops were organized, during which 76 educators were trained in the methodologies of place-based learning, climate education and youth participation. In addition, intensive mentoring and consultancy support was provided to another 75 educators. Young people in 28 communities implemented more than 40 climate protection and sustainability activities, including the development of climate maps, climate action plans and other measures. Five three-day residential programmes were held to develop competences for active citizenship and climate protection, attended by 72 young people. The project also organised 4 online sharing sessions and 1 face-to-face meeting in Prague, where young people presented their projects and shared their experiences. In these meetings, young people discussed their successes, challenges and lessons learned, which strengthened their skills and motivation to continue their work. In addition, 11 methodological materials were produced to support community projects and distributed during trainings, workshops and online. These materials help educators and young people to effectively implement sustainability and climate education projects.
Mapping of the school surroundings: Young people actively participated in mapping the school''s surroundings from a climate and sustainability perspective, which helped them to better understand the local environment and identify areas or identify areas for improvement. Creating vision, plans and designing projects: young people designed specific projects such as, campaign days to promote carbon footprint reduction, meeting places, herb beds, garden renovations, composting, audio guides on adaptation, planting, promoting mass, cycling and walking transport... and more. Meetings with the community and village representatives: the project included meetings with local officials, which allowed the youth to better understand the functioning of the village and engage in real discussions about improving community life. The biggest benefit of the project was to raise the youth''s awareness of the context of sustainable development and climate change and what is happening locally, realizing that climate change is something that directly affects them, it is happening in their community, and it is also something that can be addressed directly there.
The young have learned:
- Perception and respect for the local environment: Projects focused on mapping the environment and creating a vision for the future allowed students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the local environment and its needs.
- Practical skills and teamwork.
Youth groups and the local community benefited the most from the project: When asked if we had not participated in this project, we would not have known, answers included: How to reduce the destruction and pollution of nature, what are adaptation and mitigation measures, we learned about ways we can respond to climate change, about vulnerable places in the village, we learned, which places in our neighbourhood are particularly vulnerable and need protection, etc.