January 14, 2025

Kick-Off Meeting of the Idea Competition Winners 2024: Turning Climate Ideas into Action!

The Climate Youth Action Plan (CYAP) Idea Competition Kick-Off Meeting brought together young changemakers in Berlin to lay the groundwork for implementing innovative projects that promote sustainability across the EYP network

What is the CYAP Idea Competition?

The CYAP Idea Competition is an initiative of the European Youth Parliament, in collaboration with E.ON Foundation and Thinkubator, aimed at empowering members of the network to create tangible solutions for EYP to promote a more sustainable future. The competition highlights the role of innovation and youth-driven ideas in addressing climate challenges within the EYP network.

The Winning Projects and Participants

Four winning ideas and the teams behind them were selected for their creativity and impact potential by a panel of judges and a popular vote of the network. They gathered together in Berlin for the Kick-Off meeting, an event that provided the project teams with essential tools, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities to refine their ideas and prepare for their implementation at future EYP events.

The Kick-Off Meeting in Berlin

From December 6th to 8th, 2024, participants gathered in Berlin for the kick-off meeting. Over three days, they engaged in workshops, group discussions, and strategic planning sessions to take their ideas from concept to reality. 

Day 1: Arrival, Team-Building, and Presentations 
On Friday, participants arrived and participated in a collaborative team-building session to foster connections and create a supportive working environment. Teams then presented their projects, receiving initial feedback and insights from peers and facilitators. The day concluded with a festive visit to the Christmas Market in Berlin, providing an opportunity for informal bonding.

Day 2: Deep Dive into Sustainability and Strategic Planning 
Saturday began with a workshop titled “Climate, Sustainability, and You!”, which set the stage for understanding sustainability challenges and the role of EYP in addressing them. Participants explored the sustainability challenges of EYP to better connect their projects with the broader network goals. In the afternoon, group work focused on identifying the stakeholders they want to approach, equipping teams with tools to map out their project strategies.
The evening allowed for further team discussions, reflections, and informal networking over dinner.

Day 3: Defining Next Steps 
Sunday’s session focused on timeline and process, enabling teams to define concrete next steps for implementing their projects. During group work, participants planned the next steps for their projects, ensuring clarity and direction moving forward. The event concluded with a closing session, including reflections and feedback, leaving participants inspired and ready to take action!

What Comes Next?

Following the kick-off meeting, the teams will work closely with selected National Committees to pilot their projects at EYP events in 2025. These projects will integrate sustainability measures into sessions, inspire participants, and contribute to lowering the environmental footprint of EYP activities. The Idea Competition will conclude in spring 2025 in Brussels, where teams will present their projects and their impact to stakeholders and sustainability leaders.

Stay tuned for updates on the progress of these innovative projects as they come to life!