How city leaders and youth are making climate neutrality a reality in their territories

This event will focus on the cooperation between local leaders and youth for the climate and energy transition.

The Covenant of Mayors – Europe (www.eumayors.eu) is an initiative bringing together more than 10,000 municipalities taking climate and energy action to secure a better future for their citizens. They act and advocate for a transition to a fairer, climate-neutral Europe that will leave no one and no place behind.

Many cities and youth groups are experimenting different models of participation for their local actions, but also co-creation of policies to speed up the transition.

This session will be a true networking event with participants (cities and other stakeholders) having the opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss common challenges. It will start with a panel moderated by Kasia Smetek, Young Climate Pact Ambassador. The Deputy Mayor of Bologna Emily Clancy, Benedetta Bressan, activist with Extinction Rebellion in Bologna, and the SDGs Project Manager of Espoo Ville Taajamaa, awill share their unique perspectives and examples from the ground. After a discussion, we will continue in a more dynamic setting with breakout discussions in circles or tables. Participants will be gathering around thematic circles, listen to a short pitch from the table hosts (city officers, youth activists, politicians) and reflect on whether the example can be replicated in their contexts. Circle hosts will guide the participants' reflections to assess the replicability of the example in their territories around challenges, solutions, stakeholders to involve, and first steps to take.

Circles hosts will be: 

• Aisha Abudu (chair) and  Mette Hameenaho (former chair) of the Turku Youth Council, Finland. Social media campaign and sub-granting youth organisations
• Mrs. Vargha Fruzsina, Deputy Mayor of Sfantu Georghe, Romania. Participatory budget, Youth Bureau in 2021, Youth Parliament to be launched in 2022
• Andrei Gheorghiu, Deputy Mayor of Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania. Participatory budget for young people after 18yo and projects in schools for separate waste collection
• Umberto Costantini, Mayor of Spilamberto, Italy, citizen participation and a young administration
• Giulia Bosi, Deputy Mayor or Formigine, Italy, youth for climate initiatives

The session will end with a presentation of takeaways from each circle/table. We will capitalise on the feedback received to disseminate good practices and plan future training.