EcoCivic: Youth Virtual Exchanges for Climate Action and Civic Participation

forthcoming

Although nearly 8 in 10 EU citizens view climate change as a major challenge, youth participation in shaping green policies remains limited. Youth disengagement is a growing concern across Europe, yet the tools to address it vary widely between EU and non-EU countries. In the EU, 4 in 10 young people remain outside any formal or informal civic engagement. The picture is even starker elsewhere: in Moldova, only 41.4% of young people voted in the 2021 elections, despite 70% expressing willingness to be civically active, yet 88% have never joined a protest, and 87% have never interacted with decision-makers (IEPR, 2022). In Armenia, 59.1% of youth report no interest in politics, and 93% have never taken part in a protest (FES, 2023). Many young people feel their voices don’t matter. But when engaged on issues they care about, like climate change, and in settings close to them, such as schools or communities, they are more likely to stay active and involved. In fact, climate change offers a unique opportunity to reconnect youth with civic life. At the EU level, environmental protection is consistently ranked as a top youth priority (Eurobarometer 478). Concern is also high in neighbouring countries: 75% of Moldovan youth and 60% of Armenian youth see climate change as a pressing issue. ECOCIVIC builds on this potential by equipping young people, teachers, and youth workers with the tools to engage in the green transition and democratic life. Through civic dialogues, virtual exchanges, co-creation workshops and collaborative campaigns, the project fosters inclusive, gender-aware, and impactful youth participation. Implemented in Romania, Moldova, Luxembourg and Armenia, ECOCIVIC focuses on urban areas where climate decisions have the greatest impact. The project encourages mutual learning between EU and non-EU countries, ensuring that EU climate ambitions spill over and generate lasting cooperation, knowledge transfer and democratic resilience across borders.