Young European Multipliers for Climate Action

Youth for Climate Action

While the need to address the climate crisis is widely accepted, young people demand ambitious climate and environmental protection and are frustrated with the lack of political action. Although the EU has set the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050, many young Europeans demand stricter targets, since their lives will be directly affected. However, they lack representation in the discourse on a European level. The YEMCA aim to address this underrepresentation by presenting an array of young perspectives to decision-makers and bodies at national and international levels, especially with a view to reaching (incoming) Members of the European Parliament in 2023 and 2024.

What is the Young European Multipliers for Climate Action programme?

The kick-off event took place at the beginning of June, including training events and participation in the European Youth Event (EYE) in Strasbourg. The YEMCA delivered a workshop and gathered the views of the young participants, followed by a “Young Citizens’ Dialogue” with the Member of European Parliament Thomas Waitz (Greens, AT), bringing together European decision-making and the young Europeans.

In autumn 2023, the YEMCA completed a comprehensive media and communication training that culminated in the development of a targeted #HaveYourSay campaign on social media. This initiative aims to engage the broad network of the European Youth Parliament and elevate their voices – and those of their peers – on climate protection ahead of the 2024 European elections. In addition, they hosted a virtual #HaveYourSAy Young Citizens’ Dialogue with Heidi Hautala, Member of the European Parliament (Greens, FI) on February 20, 2024.

From 14 to 17 March 2024 they reunited in Berlin for EYP’s Media Academy to further work on their social media campaign. Most recently, the YEMCA hosted a panel discussion at at the Local European Youth Event in Berlin on 19 April, 2024 with Anna Peters (DE), Green Party candidate for European Parliament. The ambassadors will hold one final virtual Young Citizens’ Dialogue with MEPs Pierre  Karleskind (Renew Europe, France), Tilly Metz (Greens, Luxembourg) and Peter Liese (EPP, Germany) on the 27th May 2024.

What is the EYE?

The EYE (European Youth Event) brings together thousands of young people at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and online, to share and shape their ideas on Europe’s future. It is a unique opportunity for young Europeans to interact, inspire each other and exchange their views with experts, activists, influencers and decision-makers, right in the heart of European democracy.

The EYE2023 took place on 9 and 10 June and featured both in-person and hybrid activities in Strasbourg. The Local EYE Berlin 2024 took place from 19 and 20 April in Berlin.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The Young European Multipliers for Climate Action programme is part of the Climate Youth Action Plan aimed at encouraging young people across Europe to explore, discuss, and ultimately bring about climate action. It is kindly sponsored by the E.ON Foundation.