Entries by YEE

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Call for Trainers​

Call for Trainers

for a training of trainers workshop



Apply now

21.03.2024 - 27.03.2024

500 EUR

Budapest, Hungary

Cost covered

Deadline: 31 December 2023

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We are looking for 2 trainers between the ages of 18 to 30 for an international Training of Trainers workshop on climate activism, and youth work with a focus on young people from rural areas, minorities, marginalized youth and vulnerable groups.

The trainers will have cost of travel, accommodation and food covered, including a service salary of 500 Euros.

The trainers should:



  • be between the age of 18 - 30


  • have experience in facilitation and training


  • be familiar with non-formal education methods of training


  • have knowledge in the field of climate, youth work and activism, and marginalized groups / intersectionality


  • believe in diversity and inclusion and you would like to do something to make your local community more inclusive and environmentally aware

Application deadline:

31st December 2023

Requirements

What will it entail:



  • Work with the Project manager to set up the structure of the training.


  • Support with training preparation ahead of participants arrival


  • Carry 5 days of interactive training sessions using non-formal education methods.


  • Support participants understanding and development.


  • Assist in training activities and facilitation.

20.12.2023 by

European Youth Reaction to the Outcomes of COP28

European Youth Reaction to the Outcomes of COP28

European youth civil society represented by the Network of European Youth NGOs for Climate Action (NEYCA) sends this joint reaction to European leaders in the aftermath of the outcomes of COP28.

The outcomes of COP28 do not respond to our demands or deliver what the world needs: a full, fast, fair, feminist and funded fossil fuel phase-out.

A full, fast, fair, feminist and funded phase-out of all fossil fuels was and still is our demand. Failing to deliver this phase-out is our red line. 

This COP undermines the rights of the youngest and future generations. Holding global warming to within 1.5 °C is critical for the lives of the young people and children of today and tomorrow, as well as others in vulnerable regions and communities, especially the Small Island States. The 1.5° limit is being increasingly threatened and risks being jeopardised. Science should be at the forefront of international climate policy, but instead, the agreed text on the Global Stocktake (GST) creates loopholes in getting to the phase-out we need. The GST text opens the door to the promotion of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and nuclear, although these are mostly dangerous distractions and false solutions.

Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems and the tripling of renewable energies are small but important steps in the right direction, which must be followed above all by equitable financial contributions and ambitious and binding national actions (in the nationally determined contributions – NDCs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While we welcome EU leadership in demanding a fossil fuel phase-out, we cannot ignore the hypocrisy represented by the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists in the EU delegation and the EU incoherence in increasing military spending, including on the military management of the climate crisis, which is largely contributing in destroying our planet. In addition, the EU’s woeful lack of support towards finance and loss and damage is problematic. It is unacceptable that the EU’s political promises were not backed by any financial commitment to ensure that the needed transition, including adaptation, will be just, and that Loss and Damage (L&D) will be secured in the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). This, in addition to the accreditation of fossil fuel lobbyists amongst its delegation, tainted the legitimacy of the EU’s positions.

Furthermore, the negotiation of these outcomes behind closed doors, particularly the exclusion of civil society from the discussion, displays a lack of transparency. This is likewise reflected in the removal of references to human rights from the adopted texts.

The fact that these necessary matters and non-negotiable principles are not part of the COP outcomes is not only due to blocking by oil-exporting countries such as Saudi Arabia, but also to the inadequate commitments made by historically responsible parties such as the USA and the EU. As European youth, we demanded the EU to foster its leadership position in climate action worldwide, recognising the responsibility for the colonial history and historic emissions of many of its member states. The many lacunas in EU action at COP made it clear that the effort put into defending the phasing out of fossil fuels was too weak – and there is no time for weak commitments. 

Moreover, the EU’s lack of commitment in promoting public participation of its citizens during COP is concerning. The result was that, among others, many of our colleagues from the LGBTQ+ community and political activists were too intimidated to attend. We deem it crucial to ensure that EU values are respected in international fora, which requires the EU not to turn a blind eye on the challenges presented by the host country, but instead to take a solid stand when the decision on where to host the next COP is being made.

Looking towards COP29, as young Europeans, we demand that democratic representation and the active involvement of civil society prior to, during and after decisions are taken. We look forward to continued partnership with the EU delegation, and to taking a more active role in shaping EU positions within negotiation processes at upcoming COPs and throughout the year. Continuous engagement with civil society, including youth, is imperative to uphold participatory rights. 

Ensuring that the transition away from fossil fuels is fully funded and that the means of implementation are fair and equitable remain our priorities for COP29, and we are looking forward to collaborating further towards ensuring that the EU remains at the forefront of a just green transition.

As we leave the UAE, we stand in solidarity with Palestinian, Israeli and all families who have lost loved ones in this latest conflict. We demand our leaders and representatives do the same. There is no climate justice without human rights.

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Signatories

This position paper was developed within the Network of European Youth for Climate Action (NEYCA).

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20.12.2023 by
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COP28 recap ​| Webinar

COP28 recap

Join our live webinar on COP28 recap with youth delegates, from Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) Generation Climate Europe (GCE) and European Youth Energy Network (EYEN), who were present at #COP28 in Dubai!

COP28 recap​

Join our live webinar on COP28 recap with youth delegates, from Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) Generation Climate Europe (GCE) and European Youth Energy Network (EYEN), who were present at #COP28 in Dubai!​

Practical information

  • When

    Friday 21st December 2023 at 15h CET

  • Where

    Online

  • How

    Register your interest

This event is part of the AmPower project

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Join our live webinar on COP28 recap with youth delegates, from Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) Generation Climate Europe (GCE) and European Youth Energy Network – EYEN, who were present at #COP28 in Dubai!

Did you miss the event?

Watch the recording or read the written summary!

Have questions? Get in touch!



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18.12.2023 by
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Health first: The IED cannot deprive pollution victims of their rights

Health first: The IED cannot deprive pollution victims of their rights

In 2023, toxic pollution has become the norm in Europe, with industrial complexes illegally polluting and causing harm to people's health. The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which governs emissions from various industries, is being updated by EU decision-makers. However, the draft law appears to be inadequate in protecting people from pollution.

Written by

Bellinda Bartolucci, ClientEarth

Alexandros Kassapis, Youth and Environment Europe

Contents

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It’s 2023 and exposure to toxic pollution is the norm in Europe.

Across the bloc, people are living in the shadow of industrial complexes that are still polluting illegally, eroding their health, and claiming lives.

This is a rights issue. An estimated 10% or more of Europe’s cancer burden is suspected to relate to pollution exposure, while EU premature deaths related to excessive levels of air pollution chart in the hundreds of thousands each year –
including minors, whose small bodies register big and lasting pollution impacts.

It’s hardly the futuristic picture we’d hoped for.

EU decision-makers are on the cusp of finalising the update of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). It governs the emissions of over 50,000 installations, including steelworks, chemicals and plastics facilities, coal plants and factory farms all over Europe – and it needs to be the most powerful tool to protect people that it can possibly be.

But on the contrary – the draft law looks set to blow over in the wind. From strong beginnings, we’re left with a nearly empty shell as far as people’s rights are concerned.

So what do our lawmakers need to do?

On your doorstep – what does industrial pollution
look like in Europe?

Pollution exposure is not just about isolated incidents – the reality is more insidious. From ‘forever chemicals’ to heavy metals, there are dramatic cases of chronic industrial pollution across Europe. Their impacts are startling reminders that industrial operations can cause severe illness and kill, in 21st century Europe.

There are ample examples of European workers and local residents – particularly children – being impacted by industrial pollution. A 5-year-old has died in Taranto, Italy, from a brain tumour – metal and dust particles from the local steel plant (Italy’s largest) were found in his brain. The local waters can’t be used to raise mussels because of iron dust levels.

Those living near antiquated coal plants in Bulgaria and Poland complain of stinging eyes and report respiratory ill-health. Towns near coal complexes in Bulgaria have been blanketed with air pollution for years – coal regions in the country chart the EU’s highest levels of sulphur dioxide pollution. But the government gave one of the local plants ongoing permission to pollute far above EU limits. 

The above cases were from facilities operating within the law. So it goes without saying that, at least in cases of illegal pollution, anyone suffering from its impacts should be able to go to court and stand a chance of receiving compensation for the damage – no? 

They pollute, you pay – why we need a real route to justice

If a facility is polluting beyond the limits allowed by the law, people suffering from health issues due to this illegal pollution must be able to access the courts for compensation. But the legal set-up right now makes it very difficult for anyone to hold Member States or industries to account. 

The European Commission has acknowledged this injustice and the new IED was supposed to fix this. The law included a new compensation right for victims of illegal pollution. But throughout the process, the real substance of this right has been systematically dismantled over the course of the negotiations – by now, it risks becoming an in-name-only gesture, which contains no actual avenue for people to access their rights.

With the current wording, negotiators have given the chop to the possibility of NGOs standing for sick people in class actions – vital given that in extreme cases, claimants have passed away before they could complete their actions. The law also relieves authorities of all legal responsibility for failing to enforce laws and therefore enabling health damages. 

People across Europe have been pushing for their rights to be reflected in the law. But pressure has been too strong and conflicting information has emerged throughout the process to derail positive lawmaking. This has got in the way of what this law is for: keeping people safe.

Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) have written to EU representatives to urge them to “prioritise health over illegal pollution” and adopt a real, functional compensation right. Along with a host of legal and consumer organisations, we highlighted that an inadequate law would fail people’s fundamental rights – the European Court of Human Rights has confirmed that harmful industrial pollution can give rise to individual compensation.

A turning point for victims of illegal industrial pollution – will lawmakers deliver?

An effective compensation right already exists in competition, data protection, anti-discrimination and consumer laws. It works for all parties involved and it ups compliance from the outset. Why should health be protected less? Contrary to industry claims, none of these types of rules have ever led to excessive litigation. In the case of the IED, only illegal polluters are exposed to the risk of litigation. Companies adhering to the rules have no reason to worry – and will actually benefit from a level playing field across the EU.

There is no justification for failing to apply it in the IED for victims of illegal pollution. This is a no-brainer.

An IED based on justice goes far beyond environmental action –  it is about helping victims on the ground. This is a major opportunity to bring back justice and finally offer protection for citizens across Europe. Missing it would be a statement by EU lawmakers that lawbreakers have officially taken precedence over people’s rights. 

Brussels should take a deep breath and consider this before they give the IED their final seal of approval.

More To Explore

28.11.2023 by
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The EneRail | Podcast​

The EneRail | Podcast

How is our generation responding to the challenges posed by the energy crisis and the imperative for a green transition?

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Project

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The Enerail podcast takes us on a captivating virtual journey across the European Union, examining the energy and climate crisis from different perspectives. In a world where the term “we” can be complex and multifaceted, this immersive podcast introduces us to a diverse range of individuals living through this crisis.

Activists, researchers, and institutional youth representatives are just a few of the voices we encounter along the way. As we delve into the heart of this pressing issue, one burning question guides our exploration: How is our generation responding to the challenges posed by the energy crisis and the imperative for a green transition? This thought-provoking podcast provides a comprehensive and nuanced outlook on the realities, insights, and actions that are shaping our present and future.

Discover all episodes:

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23.11.2023 by
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Green Hydrogen=Green Flag

Green Hydrogen=Green Flag

Overcoming the limits of batteries with hydrogen energy storage

In this article, we will delve into the exciting world of hydrogen as a potential solution for energy storage, aiming to overcome the current limitations of Lithium Ion Batteries (LIB).

Written by

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of YEE.

Contents

Visual summary

drawbacks of renewables
problems with lithium batteries
hydrogen as an alternative to batteries
5
different uses for hydrogen and lithium batteries
benefits of using hydrogen for energy storage

Learn more about the project

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The importance of effective storage systems in the transition to renewable energy

A future powered by renewables needs effective storage systems. Unlike fossil fuels, wind and sunlight, two low-carbon energy sources at the centre of the energy transition, have some great limitations: they are intermittent and cannot be stored to be converted into energy later on. A turbine spins only where and when the wind blows, and a solar panel works only under daylight. Learning to work around those limitations can help us abandon fossil fuels faster, which is crucial, given the short time we have left to meet the Paris carbon emission reduction targets. Storage systems can help us overcome these limitations, by offering alternative ways to even out energy supply to the grid and by allowing the electrification of sectors that are not connected to the grid altogether.

In this article, I want to look at one of those systems: hydrogen. More specifically, I want to explore how we can store energy using this material, and see in what ways it can help us overcome some of the limitations of the more commonly used Lithium Ion Batteries (LIB). To do so, I will provide you with an accessible explanation of how hydrogen energy storage works. I will also show that LIBs have three main downsides that hydrogen storage can help mitigate: high impact of raw materials, low gravimetric energy density and limited long-term and high-capacity storage capabilities.

My goal here is not to advocate for the complete abandoning of LIBs, rather, I want to show how in some cases having an alternative can help us achieve the decarbonization of our economy faster.

How can electricity be stored in hydrogen?

Let’s start with the basics. How do you generate electricity with hydrogen? It’s pretty simple. Hydrogen atoms flow through a “fuel cell”, which splits their electrons from their protons and nucleus. The electrons then leave the fuel cell and run through a circuit, powering whatever device they are connected to. The end of the circuit is connected back to the fuel cell, where the electron re-joins the proton and nucleus from which it was split. The hydrogen cell is thus re-formed and, reacting with oxygen in the air, it transforms into water vapour. Of course, this is an oversimplification, for a more accurate, but still very accessible, explanation of the process, I redirect you to this video from Alex Dainis, PhD. Just to be clear, this is not a nuclear reaction, as we are not splitting the nucleus itself.

The next question is where do we get hydrogen from? Due to its highly reactive nature, hydrogen is often bonded to other materials. Thus, we need to extract it from other molecules before we can convert it into energy. There are different ways you can do this. The key things to keep in mind are two. Firstly, these processes take a lot of energy. Secondly, the energy source you use determines the name we give to the final product, together with its carbon footprint. Some examples of carbon-intensive production methods are steam methane reforming and gasification. The output of these processes will be called grey or blue hydrogen (in the second case, a carbon capture mechanism is used to limit emissions).

Another method to produce hydrogen is electrolysis. With the same fuel cell we mentioned before, you can split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, through a process that is exactly symmetrical to what we have described two paragraphs above. To do this, you need electricity. If that is produced from renewable sources you have green hydrogen, which is low carbon.

Now, the round-trip efficiency of green hydrogen is less than one, meaning that the energy you get from it is less than the one you used to produce it. This means that, whenever possible, it is more efficient to use a renewable energy source directly, without hydrogen as an intermediary. Whenever that is not possible, however, one can produce hydrogen as a way to store and transport energy. First, clean electricity is used to perform electrolysis. Then the resulting hydrogen is reconverted back into water when and where electricity is needed. Through this process, hydrogen can be used as a stock of electricity that can be displaced in space and time to better match our energy demands.

Obstacles to decarbonizing the economy using batteries

As you know, batteries can also be used to store and transport energy. Some of their limitations, however, pose important obstacles to our ability to fully decarbonize our economy. Hydrogen can help us overcome those obstacles.

High impact of raw materials

Firstly, the raw materials required to manufacture LIBs pose environmental, social and geopolitical challenges that become more and more pressing as the scale of production of this technology increases. Lithium and cobalt are two materials used in LIBs. Lithium mining, on the one hand, has a water footprint of more than 2000 liters per kilogram extracted. The practice has also been linked with “declining vegetation, hotter daytime temperatures and increasing drought conditions in national reserve areas”. Cobalt mines, on the other hand, are notoriously infamous for the terrible working conditions of their workers. At the same time, both materials are to be found in only a couple of regions throughout the world. This creates perverse incentives to adopt hoarding strategies, which artificially push up the price of these resources. Such a high level of concentration also decreases the resilience of the supply chain to unforeseeable external shocks, decreasing the long-term reliability of the industry as a whole.

Hydrogen, like lithium, can be used to store energy, however, unlike lithium, it is not a rare material and can be extracted with carbon-neutral technologies. Consequently, replacing some of the current and future demand for batteries with hydrogen-based solutions can reduce our consumption of these materials, and with that the challenges that they come with. This can also diversify the energy storage supply chain, increasing its ability to withstand exogenous shocks. Hydrogen systems also do not use cobalt.

Of course, this is only a part of the solution, the issues I have highlighted above need to be addressed independently of the fact that we introduce hydrogen in the equation. Nonetheless, this technology can help us reduce the scale of the problem. With this, it should also be noted that, while hydrogen is not a rare material, iridium and platinum (two materials often used in fuel cells) are. These materials come with their own environmental problems, which further proves that technical diversification is only part of the solution. The social and environmental patterns of exploitation behind mining need to be addressed, regardless. That, however, is a broader conversation that pertains to our economy as a whole.

Low gravimetric energy density 

Secondly, the low energy density of LIB makes them unsuitable as an alternative to fossil fuels in some applications. The aviation industry is an example of this issue. The table below shows the energy density of different materials, i.e., the amount of Megajoules stored in one kilogram of material ( = gravimetric density) and the amount of Megajoules in one litre of material ( = volumetric density).

Material Gravimetric energy density* Volumetric energy density Energy efficiency
Jet A1 (kerosene)
43.3 MJ/Kg
34.7 MJ/L
25% (conventional aircraft engines, kerosene)
Hydrogen
142 MJ/Kg
8 MJ/L (when in liquid state)
18%-46% (round trip)
LIBs
0.5 MJ/Kg
80-90% (round trip)

* Source: transportgeography.org

As you can see, compared to Jet A-1 (a common aviation fuel), a LIB providing the same amount of energy as an airplane’s fuel tank would be 86 times as heavy. Emily Pickrell, Energy Scholar at the University of Houston estimates that “if a jumbo jet were to use today’s batteries, 1.2 million pounds of batteries would be required just to generate the power of the jet engine it would be replacing. This weight would effectively need an additional eight jet planes just to carry that weight!”.

Consequently, replacing jet fuel with an equivalently powerful battery would make the plane too heavy to fly. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is more energy-dense than both LIBs and Jet A-1. Thus, it can provide the same amount of energy at a much lower weight.

Hydrogen’s energy density makes it a much better match for the electrification of the aviation industry than batteries. There are, however, some limitations to the potential of this gas. If we look at its volumetric energy density, a hydrogen tank would take 4 times as much space as a Jet A-1 providing equivalent energy. And this is assuming we are able to keep the gas in its liquid form at -252.8°C. Together with this, to this day the round-trip efficiency of hydrogen systems is still much lower than that of batteries. Finally, hydrogen aircraft are still in the early stages of development, meaning that we still need to wait for the large-scale commercial adoption of these vehicles.

Limited long-term and high-capacity storage capabilities

Finally, LIBs are less efficient at storing higher quantities of energy for longer periods of time than hydrogen systems. In some applications, we need this longer-term storage capacity. One case is that of intermittent energy storage.

As I said before, renewables’ energy supply cannot be adjusted to the specific demands of consumers and producers at any given moment. To address this, storage devices allow us to stock up energy in moments of excess supply, in order to release it back into the grid in periods of excess demand. Intermittency, however, is a multidimensional phenomenon that has a short-run and long-run component: fluctuations in supply can be intraday or seasonal. Looking at solar energy makes it easier to understand both. As the sun shines only during the daytime, at night panels will not produce any electricity. That is intra-day intermittency. At the same time, during summer days are longer, and, in many climates, less cloudy. Thus, output will be higher during June, July and August than it will during winter (as shown by the table below). This is what we call seasonality.

LIBs are more effective at smoothing intraday fluctuations. Battery storage facilities are cheaper to install, but more expensive to scale up, making them more suited for smaller capacity applications. Their higher round trip efficiency (look at the table above) also means that less energy is wasted in the process. Due to their higher rate of self-discharge, however, they cannot store electricity for prolonged periods of time, making them useless when it comes to seasonal intermittency. At the same time, hydrogen is better suited to supply that higher capacity, long term storage facility needed to smooth out seasonal fluctuations. On the one hand, hydrogen deposits show increasing returns to scale. They can be more costly than batteries to set up, but doubling capacity less than doubles the cost. This makes the technology better suited for higher capacity stockage. On the other, hydrogen has a lower rate of self-discharge, meaning that it can store energy for longer. These two characteristics make this technology a useful tool to smooth out seasonality, even when we account for its lower round trip efficiency (being able to store something is better than being able to store nothing).

To conclude, we can see that hydrogen can help overcome three important limitations of LIBs: high impact of raw materials, low gravimetric energy density and limited long-term and high-capacity storage capabilities. Nonetheless, the analysis also shows that hydrogen technology is still in its earlier stages of development. Consequently, important challenges need to be overcome before this technology can be deployed at scale. If used together, batteries and hydrogen will have a central role in facilitating the energy transition.

I would like to thank Tuur Knevels, who provided some crucial support in the drafting of this article. He is a passionate young engineer who has been active in the hydrogen and automotive industry for the past 3 years and is currently completing his degree in Aerospace Engineering whilst working as a freelance fuel cell systems engineer. We met back in July during the in-person training we organised as part of the AmPower Project. Of course, any potential incoherence in this analysis is solely attributable to me.

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16.11.2023 by

European Youth Demands towards COP28

European Youth Demands towards COP28

European youth civil society represented by the Network of European Youth NGOs for Climate Action (NEYCA) sends this collection of demands developed by young people from across civil society.

Young people are at the forefront of the climate movement. As organiSations representing young people across the European family, we have been advocating for ambitious climate policy for years. After years of informal collaboration at COPs, various European youth NGOs working on UNFCCC issues formed the Network European Youth NGOs for Climate Action (NEYCA). The goal of this Network is to develop joint political positions and to advocate together for our collective political demands in the UNFCCC processes. This document is therefore a collection of demands developed by young people from across civil society.

The signatory organizations call on you to act in the interest of the millions of young people we represent, many of which are still unable to vote, but see their future increasingly threatened by the climate crisis. We call upon the EU and its member  states, as well as all countries on the continent of Europe, to address the issues presented below and act in accordance with the demands of European Youth.

1. As established in IPCC AR6, current emissions trajectories are depleting carbon budgets at a rate that will severely aggravate climate impacts experienced by present and future generations. The lack of ambition of current NDCs, combined with implementation and financing gaps, will jeopardize the 1.5°C goal.

We:

  • ● Stress the need for an ambitious and comprehensive GST decision at COP28. All relevant topics including finance, mitigation across all sectors, and climate justice, as well as all GST-connected work streams, must be incorporated into the outcomes.
  • ● Recognise the importance of the 1.5° goal in the GST assessment(s) of the Paris Agreement’s implementation on all levels.
  • ● Urge a complete and timely phase-out of all fossil fuels to be referenced in the cover decision of COP28 or a decision on the GST.
  • ● Encourage the EU, as well as all countries in Europe, to take leadership in raising the ambition of NDCs; Strengthen NDC implementation through the enhancement of finance flows, including driving forward work on the establishment and fulfilment of an ambitious NCQG on climate finance, as well as an ambitious and strengthened Sharm el-Sheikh mitigation ambition and implementation work programme, the outcomes of which should be referenced in a GST decision.
  • ● Urge an accelerated global effort of ambitious NAP development and implementation, to protect the most vulnerable peoples and sectors in line with the Global Goal on Adaptation.
  • ● Stress that national stocktakes should be included in the GST decision, as a way for countries to regularly assess their own progress.

2. Despite the fact that increasing mitigation remains the centerpiece of our efforts against the climate crisis, it has already progressed so far that damages already take place. Since the burden of these impacts falls largely on vulnerable groups, which additionally often contributed almost nothing to cause the problem, addressing these losses becomes a vital responsibility of all historical emitters.

We:

  • ● Urge the EU, and all European countries, to take a strong and constructive position on the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28.
    ● Recognise that as a leading historical emitter, the EU and all European countries have the obligation to sufficiently contribute to the Fund. Funds have to be additional, not merely relabeled existing ODA funds.
    ● Encourage the EU, and all European countries, to work towards a contribution structure based on historical emissions related to per capita GDP. Public contributions should cover the required sums for LD Finance and private contributions should only be considered as an addition to this sum.
    ● Urge the EU, and all European countries to ensure that resources from the LD Fund reach MAPA, through a fund that is transparent and structured from the bottom up,
    considering MAPA realities and addressing their needs. In order to guarantee that funds reach MAPA, it is crucial that a section of the LD finance facility disperses grants directly to civil society organizations focused on the needs of MAPA.
    ● Encourage that funds provided through the LD Fund are grants. Incurring additional debt could lead countries in the Global South into debt traps and significantly hinder their sustainable development prospects.
    ● Invite the EU, and all European countries to pursue alternative revenue sources in the event that public contributions are insufficient, such as redirecting fossil subsidies, which must be phased out as soon as possible, or additional taxes on fossil fuel companies, international fossil-fuelled transportation or high net-worth individuals.

3. Climate justice must have a central role in mitigation and adaptation efforts in order to ensure an equitable sustainability transition. Youth participation, intergenerational equity, and human rights are all crucial elements in fulfilling climate justice.

We:

  • ● Urge the EU, and all European countries to ensure the effective inclusion of civil society and to provide a safe environment for civil society participation, at COP28.
    ● Stress the need for the robust protection of procedural environmental rights, democracy, and the rule of law, including by championing youth and civil society participation at high-level climate negotiations.

4. Enhancing youth participation in international conferences.

  • ● Recognise the recommendations made in the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan. Noting youth must be meaningfully included in national delegations and involved in the process of designing and implementing climate policy and action.
    ● Stress that the engagement of young civil society must be prioritised in UNFCCC fora. The EESC Youth Delegate to COP Programme should be recognised as a best practice to replicate in other EU and European national bodies and processes.
    ● Encourage the establishment of a formal Advisory Council on Youth to the UNFCCC, to take a notable presence during climate negotiations, which would provide a key intergenerational perspective for future COPs.

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Signatories

This position paper was developed within the Network of European Youth for Climate Action (NEYCA).

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7.11.2023 by
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Social Media Coordinator | Part-time Opportunity

Call for Social media Coordinator

to organise posts across all social media platforms.



Apply now

8 h/ week

12 EUR/hour

EU/Europe

Remote

Start ASAP

Contents

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Have questions? Get in touch!



YEE is seeking a Social Media Coordinator to



  • manage our social media channels


  • analyse and improve social media strategy

YEE is excited to announce the opening of a part-time Social Media Coordinator position, requiring 8 hours per week, with a compensation of 12 EUR/hour.

The coordinator will be responsible for managing social media posts, collaborating with the Communications team, analysing metrics and trends, and providing reports and recommendations.

Candidates must have a working proficiency in English, an EU work permit, and be under the age of 35. 

Application deadline:

3rd December 2023

Your responsibilities

  • formulating and organising posts across all our social media platforms
  • improving our social media strategy in collaboration with the Communications team
  • analysing social media metrics and trends, and regularly reporting insights and suggestions for improvement
  • assisting with any communications-related deliverables from the project designated to this profile

Requirements

The ideal profile



  • Has previous experience in social media management


  • Is familiar with an international working environment, but is also comfortable with being part of a small team


  • Undertakes responsibilities and carries out tasks independently


  • Has a creative approach and can come up with innovative solutions


  • Is motivated to interact in an international environment with different organisations, institutions, and individuals


  • Is able to work remotely and collaborate with the team under this regime

16.10.2023 by
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Introducing Vika | Showcasing the Unheard

Introducing Vika
Showcasing the Unheard







Contents

Learn more about the project

In the beginning, I was all alone

Vika Hovsepyan from Yeghvard, Armenia is passionate about creating positive change in her community. She began by initiating a recycling campaign at her school and now is involved in educational projects related to the environment. Her work is motivated by seeing the positive results and the support of others. Vika’s future goal is to collect and recycle clothes to help those in need.

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Tell us a bit about yourself. Who’s Vika?

I am Vika Hovsepyan from Yeghvard, which is a small town near the capital of Yerevan in Armenia. I’m 19. Since high school, I’ve tried to be active in my community and create something positive for others who have fewer opportunities or need help. I have been doing different kinds of activities in my community for more than five years now.

What is your work and how did it all start?

Around me, there were some problems which were visible and I couldn’t sit and just see what was happening near me. Everything started when I decided to create a little campaign at school involving some others who were interested. The aim was to collect paper and plastic waste and transfer it to a recycling center every three months. The reimbursement from our recycled items would be invested in the school to be used to buy some new plants, as well as for the school garden and sorting bins for waste or whatever else was needed. This became a tradition in a very short time. 

I just wanted to share my ideas with the students and teachers. I started to collect all the papers because the school was full of paper and there isn’t one day that paper isn’t used. I started to collect it and then I made a small pocket where I put them away, and the students saw my steps and they followed me. This is when the project became larger.

I started on a very large scale. Students and teachers became part of this project and they supported me and encouraged me. I got support and I became very motivated, even more motivated than at the beginning. I continued with new encouragement and new motivation.

I graduated two years ago but this tradition still goes on. After that I started to participate in environmental projects to deepen my knowledge about environmental topics and my behavior has changed a lot. New eco-friendly practices were formed in my everyday life. I started to use eco bags and water bottles and now I can’t imagine my life without these steps.

What projects do you work on at the moment? 

I’m part of the educational projects at Yeghvard NGO, where I’m a member and a volunteer. They organize educational projects for youth about the environment. I organise seminars and trainings for youth with fewer opportunities. There are also times when I am the participant and I strive to deepen my knowledge to be able to share it with others.

What does your work mean to you? 

My work is very important for me because I started the project at school and I like seeing the good results and the happy faces of people and their reactions and support. That gives me a lot of motivation to continue what I’m doing. My vision is for people to become more careful and more caring because nature is in danger. 

What’s next for you?

I want to continue my work by collecting clothes. Every year I collect clothes from people and just give them to those who have fewer opportunities and need them. In a few months, I will start and collect clothes that I will recycle. I want to open a second-hand store or engage people who have fewer opportunities than I had.

If you could send a message to other young people, what would it be? 

“Whatever you do, do it for a positive result and do it with all your heart.”

This is the key to success. 

It is very easy if you are motivated and want to bring change. There are only a few things you need to do. Have an aim, motivation for any situation and a strong will. This is the key because if you are not motivated if you don’t want to see a good result, if you don’t want to see happy faces, support, and change around you, nothing will change. You are the change. You will become the change and people will follow you. 

Other interviews

2.9.2023 by
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We are looking for Liaison Officers | Volunteering

Liaison Officers | Volunteering

We are looking for 4 volunteers to join our Advocacy Working Group! Could this be the position for you?
Please apply via the form before September 6th 23h59 CEST.

Apply now

What is expected of a Liaison Officer?

The Liaison Officer is a volunteer position of one year term (October 2023 – October 2024). All liaison volunteers will report to and be supported by the YEE Advocacy staff (Volunteers Coordinator, Advocacy Coordinator and Project Leads) and the External Relations Officer. While committed to specific and diverse tasks, the volunteer liaison officers will effectively make a team – the Advocacy Working Group – intended to support each other and work with the staff. 

The average time commitment is between 7-10 hours a week, including meetings every two weeks with the External Relations Officer, Volunteers Coordinator, Advocacy Coordinator and Project Leads.

Some of the work tasks expected involve strengthening communication and advocacy with some of our partner organisations as well as creating projects and campaigns of their own.

Who are we looking for?

The Liaison Officer should:



  • be between 18 and 30 years old;


  • be available around 7-10 hours per week;


  • have a strong interest in advocacy and in promoting sustainable policy and green goals;


  • be passionate in helping strengthen the voice of youth in European decision making.


  • have strong written and verbal communication skills and a good level of English (the working language of YEE is English so you should be able to clearly express yourself both orally and in writing);


  • have basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, Google Drive,..);


  • have a good team spirit and be able to be part of a brand-new team;


  • be organised and meet deadlines;


  • be committed to the aims of the project and YEE values


  • be willing to gain leadership and communications skills

What are the benefits of being a Liaison Officer?

What you can gain from this experience:



  • Valuable on-hand insights of working for the largest European network of youth-led environmental NGOs;


  • In depth knowledge of the organisation and institutions relevant to your liaison position;


  • Access to a network of motivated young green activists and professionals;


  • Transferable skills such as time management, organisational skills, strong communication skills and more;


  • Boost your CV!


  • have basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, Google Drive,..);


  • have a good team spirit and be able to be part of a brand-new team;


  • be organised and meet deadlines;


  • be committed to the aims of the project and YEE values


  • be willing to gain leadership and communications skills

Open Positions for the period: October 2023-October 2024

Environmental Law and LitigationLiaison Officer on Environmental Law 

The aim of the Environmental Law Liaison Officer is to help YEE’s work on environmental law and litigation topics and the work on the Aarhus Convention. This person would work closely with the Volunteers Coordinator, the Project Lead and the Project Assistant on environmental law on the Legal Seeds 3 project; and with other Liaison Officers when legal topics are involved, such as with the Oceans and Biodiversity portfolios. The Env. Law Liaison Officer will also work with others on targeted campaigns (e.g. #restorenature) and advocacy initiatives at international and EU level.

A lot of the work would be linked to making environmental law accessible for young people through writing; familiarising with the Aarhus Convention processes and strengthening YEE position there; helping creating partnerships with youth and non youth organisations active in environmental law matters and learning the basics of fundraising. Finally, the volunteer will explore opportunities to promote knowledge and join or launch advocacy campaigns related to the achievement of more stringent legal targets and actions envisaged by the EU Green Deal.

The main topics covered by the environmental law portfolio include the EU Green Deal and its implementation (National Energy & Climate Plans and the FF55); climate litigation; the Aarhus Convention; the Nature Restoration Law and the Right to a Healthy Environment. However, your ideas and interests are of course welcome!

The main tasks will include: 

  • Help our members to engage with our work on environmental law, through liaising and working on our relationship with Member Organisations and partner organisations;
  • Help work with the Project Lead and Project Assistant on Environmental Law on content creation, such as articles and webinars;
  • Support YEE work on the Aarhus Convention processes;
  • Contribute to the general YEE advocacy strategy, such as through participating on behalf of YEE to legal campaigns and external events

YEE Ocean conservation logoLiaison Officer on Ocean Conservation

In the context of the Ocean Conservation portfolio, the Liaison Officer will engage with and consolidate relationships with ocean-related international advocacy campaigns, such as within the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC). They will be able to engage in the dissemination of knowledge to a wide audience, while also getting involved in international collaboration and promotion of youth participation in the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Instrument adopted under the UNCLOS framework. They can, in this context and in the context of other potential issues and international processes, seek active collaboration with existing partners like GYBN and NYBN Oceans group. Exploring involvement in other ocean- and water-related processes and issues is of course a possibility and is open to the Liaison Officer’s expertise, interest, and capacity.

The Liaison Officer will regularly communicate with other portfolios, and especially the Biodiversity, Environmental Governance, and Climate Crisis portfolios, fostering collaborative campaigns and initiatives where thematic priorities intersect. Examples of this are the BBNJ Treaty process, as well as the international negotiations towards the adoption of a legally-binding Plastics Treaty under the auspices of UNEP, addressing the Ocean-Climate nexus under the UNFCCC COP process.

At the EU level, the Liaison Officer will represent YEE as supporting organisation to Surfrider Foundation Europe’s Blue-Up 2024 campaign for EU Parliamentary elections. The volunteer will explore opportunities to promote knowledge and join or launch advocacy campaigns related to the achievement of ocean-related targets and actions envisaged by the EU Green Deal – ranging from the Common Fisheries Policy to the EU Biodiversity Strategy. The LO will also support the implementation of the EU4Ocean Coalition for Ocean Literacy project.

The main tasks will include:

  • Contribute to the YEE advocacy strategy, by participating in campaigns, liaising with partners, and representing YEE in external events;
  • Create ocean-related content and blog articles to be published by YEE;
  • Represent the YEE network in the Youth4Ocean Forum and EU4Ocean Platform, especially by taking active part in the youth-led initiatives carried out by the Youth4Ocean Forum community;
  • The LO will also contribute to the implementation of the EU4Ocean Coalition for Ocean Literacy project in accordance with the Oceans Project Lead, supporting the planning of key events and tasks, helping in mapping and liaising with relevant youth networks, initiatives, and youth-led projects in Europe.

YEE Sustainable energy logoLiaison Officer on Sustainable Energy

The Liaison Officer on Sustainable Energy will help to create a stronger basis of Energy knowledge with YEE and to implement and carry out relevant advocacy initiatives and relations on the topic. They will work closely with the Volunteers Coordinator, the Project Lead and the Project Assistant on energy. A great part of the mandate will be to provide support and insights to the Ampower project, the project at YEE dedicated to energy and support the team’s effort to create a knowledge bank on energy transition and the energy crisis.

The Sustainable Energy Liaison Officer would also liaise with other youth and non-youth organisations working on energy-related topics, such as the European Youth Energy Network, the EEB, GCE and CAN-Europe and provide assistance with the teams involvement with UN working groups. The Energy Liaison Officer will also have the possibility to explore opportunities to promote knowledge and join or launch advocacy campaigns related to the increase of sustainable energy targets in the EU. Personal ideas and insights on how to develop the portfolio are more than welcome!

The main tasks will include: 

  • Draft articles on several key points necessary to understand the complexity of energy transition and the ins and outs of the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine.
  • Create a weekly news update on energy matters (Showcasing new interesting projects, new technologies relevant to the energy transition, updates on new national, European and International legislations, and other relevant news).
  • Help our members to engage with our work on energy, through liaising and working on our relationship with Member Organisations and partner organisations;
  • Contribute to the general YEE advocacy strategy, such as through participating on behalf of YEE to energy-related campaigns and external events.

Liaison Officer on Green Finance 

We are excited to say that we also opened a position for a Liaison Officer on Green Finance!

The role of the Liaison Officer 

The Green Finance Liaison will act as a key contact point between YEE and external stakeholders in regards to all matters pertaining to Green Finance. Additionally, during the first phase of the project the volunteer should search for existing projects or work on green finance carried out by other youth organisations with the purpose of increasing capacity on the project and building a coalition of youth organisations active on the topic.

The liaison officer’s main activity will be to provide desktop research to identify important financial actors involved in green finance, in order to monitor financial flows in relation to climate action and energy transitions, with a particular focus on tracking investment banks and their involvement in sustainable initiatives. In cooperation with the communications team, the Liaison Officer will provide regular updates which will be published on social media and on a dedicated page of YEE’s website.

In parallel, the Liaison Officer should keep track of the main policy discussions in the green finance sector and help YEE identify key stakeholders responsible for national, European and International level policy-making to identify where YEE can advocate for further youth involvement.

Finally, throughout the project, and based on the knowledge gathered, the Liaison Officer will create some educational content destined to be shared with YEE’s network as training material.

The main tasks will include

  • In cooperation with the communications team, build a webpage on YEE’s website dedicated to green finance content;
  • Identify meetings, networks and coalitions that currently allow for youth participation;
  • List key stakeholders in international organisations, NGOs and actors of the private sector that are involved in key green investment processes for coalition building; and help YEE advocate for greater youth inclusion in the sector.
  • Engage in desktop research on financial flows in regard to the climate and energy transition.
  • Help in content creation for our social media, such as drafting short posts throughout the project destined to educate our young audience on green finance;

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us:





25.8.2023 by