Activation of young generation in the times of climate policy backlash in Central Europe

ended

Numerous studies and data show that awareness of climate change and knowledge about European climate policy is low in Central European societies (especially among young people). The conservative environmental and climate policies of numerous states in the region, often combined with anti-EU rhetoric adopted by some politicians, only further contribute to this problem. Local leaders often try to shift the responsibility for the consequences of long-lasting mistakes in domestic economic policies onto the EU policy (particularly on the EU climate objectives). Climate education in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary is virtually non-existent at the school level, and young people often get their information from social media and available popular sources. If this education gap is complemented by regional attempts to restrict media freedom, a picture emerges of threats not only to the understanding and support of European climate policy in the region but to the promotion of fundamental European values in general. The project aims at a broad educational campaign on climate change and its consequences, the European Union's climate policy, and, finally, the instruments available to individuals to demand its implementation at the national level. The campaign is aimed at school and university students, as well as environmental and climate NGOs. In the latter case, training would take the form of practical workshops. The partners aim to reach and provide training to about 3.000 young participants in four countries in the region. The project is implemented by a network of NGOs from all participating countries with expert, organizational, and training support from public universities from these countries.