Study session on Uniting for a Safer Europe: Empowering Environmental Defenders and Climate Activists
Gain insight on your legal status as an environmental defender under the rule of law, explore available human-rights-based protection tools, and exchange good practices, challenges, and needs related to your activism.
Practical information
This study session is organised in cooperation with the Council of Europe.
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Have questions?
Contact the project lead Anna at anna@yeenet.eu
Results
What is this study session about
In Europe, young environmental defenders face significant threats and repression, despite strong democratic institutions. These include legal, political, physical, and social challenges that have intensified with the rise of environmental protests. Key forms of repression involve strategic lawsuits, criminalisation of protests, police violence, and targeted harassment, undermining democratic freedoms and the fight against climate change.
Young people’s participation in environmental matters often extends beyond traditional avenues, with their activism efforts serving as a vital tool for engaging in the democratic process within the Council of Europe.
Objectives of the Study Session
- To connect young environmental defenders across Europe and facilitate their interaction with institutions and policy-makers.
- To equip young environmental defenders with knowledge of European human rights-based protection tools to help them address the threats they face.
- To understand the importance of a strong rule of law for the protection of environmental defenders.
- To empower youth to engage as environmental defenders through informed, democratic participation and awareness of their civic role.
Selection Criteria for Participants
Essential criteria:
- Be between 18–30 years old.
- Be based in one of the Council of Europe member states.
- Be actively involved in grassroots environmental or climate justice activism.
- Demonstrate an interest in the rights of environmental defenders, democracy, and protest movements.
- Be comfortable in communicating in English.
- Be available for the whole duration of the Study Session, including travel days.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience facing or supporting others facing repression, including legal, political, or social threats, due to climate/environmental activism.
- Involvement in intersectional activism, linking climate justice with labour, gender, racial, or other rights.
- Affiliation with an environmental youth NGO or informal group working at the local, national, or international level.
- Show a commitment to disseminate resources and outcomes of the Study Session within their organisations and networks.
We accept applications from all candidates who fulfill the profile for the activity, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.
Selection Process and Preparation
All interested candidates are required to fill out the Application Form by 29 June 2025. Please note that applications submitted via other channels will not be considered.
Pre-selected candidates will be invited to join a short online meeting where they will be provided with more information about the programme of the Study Session and get to know the preparatory team.
The YEE team will host a 1-hour online preparatory meeting that will be held two weeks before the Study Session to prepare and provide support to selected participants.
Administrative and logistical details
Participants’ costs for their travels to and from Strasbourg, local transportation, visa, and meals will be fully covered. Accommodation will be provided at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg (EYCS).
This activity requires the payment of a 50,00 EUR enrolment fee. Should you find yourself unable to afford this fee, please send an email explaining your situation to the Course Director at the following email: anna@yeenet.eu
YEE will consider enrolment fee waiver requests from applicants who meet all the following criteria:
- – Do not have sufficient financial resources to cover the cost of participation;
- – Are currently unemployed and/or enrolled as a student;
- – Come from a marginalised or underrepresented community;
- – Are not affiliated with a larger organisation or institution and work on a voluntary or pro bono basis.
YEE aims to unite environmental youth non-profit organisations in Europe in order to enhance international cooperation, increase knowledge about the climate crisis, raise awareness of environmental problems and to strengthen participation of youth in environmental decision-making.
