We Dream Green - #RuralYouth4Climate

Context

Climate change is a pressing global issue with particularly profound impacts on rural communities across Europe. Young people in these areas are at the forefront of experiencing these changes, yet often lack the resources and knowledge to fully understand and address them. According to the European Environment Agency, rural regions, which cover 44% of the EU’s land area and are home to 30% of its population, are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Rural areas face climate-related challenges due to their reliance on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and forestry. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that climate change is already affecting crop yields and livestock productivity in many European regions. For instance, Southern Europe has seen a 20% decrease in water availability over the past century, severely impacting rural livelihoods. Young people in rural areas often have limited access to information and educational resources about climate change. A 2020 Eurobarometer survey found that while 94% of young Europeans consider climate change a serious problem, those in rural areas reported feeling less informed and empowered to take action compared to their urban counterparts. Moreover, rural youth face the challenge of “brain drain” with Eurostat data showing that 29.2% of young people in rural areas are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, compared to 24.5% in cities. This context makes it crucial to empower rural youth with knowledge and skills related to climate change, not only for environmental reasons but also for rural development and youth retention.
In this context, bringing together young people from diverse rural backgrounds across Europe provides an opportunity for shared learning, cultural exchange, and the development of innovative, youth-led approaches to climate challenges. By focusing on rural youth, this project aims to tap into their perspectives and potential, fostering a new generation of informed and empowered rural climate changemakers.

Objectives
1. To increase understanding among rural youth about climate change impacts on their specific communities.
2. To develop skills in communicating about climate change effectively within rural contexts.
3. To empower youth with practical tools and methods for addressing climate challenges in their communities.
4. To explore eco-friendly practices and sustainable living options suitable for rural areas.
5. To foster intercultural exchange on rural climate experiences and solutions among European youth.

Results
• Increased awareness and knowledge about climate change among rural youth participants.
• Enhanced skills in communicating climate issues within rural communities.
• Established connections between rural youth from different European countries.
• A collection of practical, youth-generated ideas for local climate action.
• Personal action plans for participants to implement in their communities.

Impact
• Empowered youth acting as knowledge multipliers in their communities, initiating local climate projects and awareness campaigns.
• Enhanced intergenerational dialogue on climate issues in rural communities, as youth share their new knowledge and perspectives with older generations.
• Increased interest in environmental careers and studies among rural youth, contributing to long-term capacity building in these areas.
• Contribution to the EU Youth Strategy and European Green Deal objectives, particularly in bridging the urban-rural divide in climate action.
• Development of innovative, rural-specific approaches to climate adaptation and mitigation, potentially informing broader policy and practice.
• Strengthened European cooperation in climate action, with ongoing collaborations and knowledge exchange between rural youth across countries.

Participants info
A total of 42 participants from 6 countries – 6 participants (aged 18-29) + 1 group leader (21-29) from each country.

Participants should have a decent command of English to participate meaningfully in activities. We encourage participants from diverse backgrounds, including students, young professionals, NEETs (those not in education, employment, or training), farmers, and activists. Each participant must reside in a rural or remote area, as verified by their address on official documents. Participants should have a decent command of English to participate meaningfully in activities.

Dates
April 26th – May 4th, 2025 (arrival and departure day), activities between April 27th and May 3rd, 2025

Venue
Rural areas in northeastern Croatia (Podravina region).

Expressing your interest
We encourage potential partners to email us their PIFs by August 23rd, 2024, at udrugasuma@gmail.com.

To streamline the process, we will consider applications only from NGOs with prior experience in ecology, climate change, sustainable development, or environmental projects.