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Young people as promoters of climate and sustainable development

Nuoret ja päättäjät kaupunkikävelyllä, Kuva: Miriam Sewón, Valonia

The aim of the experiment was to increase young people's experience of participation experience in climate and sustainable development decision-making through encounters between young people and decision-makers. In the developed operating model, young people invite decision-makers from their home city to take part in discussion during three different events. 

Results

  • The project developed an operating model that brings the means for exerting influence in society closer to young people. The operating model and its materials are available online at Valonia's web page (in Finnish)
  • Decision-makers felt that the discussions were a source of inspiration for promoting sustainability themes.
  • Instead of panels, workshops and city walks were considered good places for discourse where young people were also able to express their thoughts in a relaxed setting.
  • The experiment also reached young people who were not already active (e.g. in the youth council). 

Effects

  • The material package can be utilised in democracy education throughout Finland. 

  • One way for reducing anxiety among young people.

In collabotation with

  • Regional Council of Southwest Finland / Valonia

  • City of Salo

  • Ministry of the Environment

Photo: Miriam Sewón,  Valonia

See also

Accelerating Sustainable Development - Agenda 2030 Handbook for Municipalities

A handbook was compiled on sustainability management in municipalities. The handbook supports the interpretation and utilisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in cross-sectoral sustainable development at the local level. 

Work on challenge bundles

The aim of the project is to identify and solve joint sustainability challenges of cities, towns and municipalities. The challenge bundles were ‘inclusion and sense of community’, ‘green areas nearby and health’, ‘station districts’, and ‘circular economy and joint use’.
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