The Role of Young People in a Sustainable Future

The Role of Young People in a Sustainable Future

Young people are not only the next generation, they are the generation that will live the longest with today’s choices. When youth understand how climate, biodiversity, health, and local economies connect, they turn ideas into action. This article brings together clear steps for youth workers and young leaders who want to build environmental literacy, develop green skills, and run small projects that make a visible difference.

Why youth leadership matters

• Time horizon. Young people will face the long tail of climate and nature loss. Giving them agency now is both fair and smart.

• Community reach. Youth speak to peers, families, schools, and online audiences with ease. A message that starts in a youth club can reach a neighbourhood by evening.

• Creativity under constraint. With limited budgets, youth have a natural focus on low cost solutions that scale through local networks.

From awareness to practice

Awareness is the starting point, not the finish line. A good programme helps young people move along four simple steps.

1. Learn the basics. Climate fundamentals, circular economy, local air and water issues.

2. Map the local picture. Walk the streets, talk to people, look for data, list quick wins.

3. Do a small action. One hour, one place, one goal.

4. Share what worked. A short post, a photo set, a two line result, a next step.

The green skills young people need

• Problem framing. Turn a large topic into a local question.

• Planning and facilitation. Set aims, divide roles, run a short session, close it well.

• Evidence habits. Keep notes, take two or three before and after photos, write a two sentence summary.

• Communication. Use plain language and a single call to action.

• Peer learning. Give feedback that is short, kind, and useful.

• Civic link. Know how to contact a school, a youth office, or a municipal unit.

Five low cost actions you can run this month

1. Neighbourhood Green Check

Pick one street. Walk it with a small group. Use a simple checklist to note litter hotspots, shade gaps, and unsafe crossings. Share one small fix with photos.
Time: 60 minutes. Output: checklist and a two slide summary. Impact: a clear ask for the local council or school.

2. Repair and Reuse Corner

Collect common items that break easily such as bike lights or backpacks. Invite a volunteer who can teach a quick fix. End with a swap table.
Time: 90 minutes. Output: a list of items diverted from the bin and a short tip sheet.

3. Clean Air Lunch Break

Choose a park or school yard. Run a quick talk about air quality, then a seven minute litter sweep, then a water break. Post the top five items found and a tip to prevent them.
Time: 45 minutes. Output: photo collage and one prevention tip for the week.

4. Switch to Low Waste Events

Audit the next club meeting. Replace single use items with mugs and refill points. Put a small sign that says “bring your bottle”.
Time: 30 minutes. Output: before and after photo and a one line saving.

5. Youth Voices, One Minute Each

Set a phone on a tripod. Invite five young people to say one thing they do for the environment. Edit into a short clip with captions.
Time: 60 to 90 minutes. Output: a 60 second video that travels well on social media.

Working methods that keep groups engaged

• Short input, then practice. Ten minutes of explanation, then the task.

• Small groups. Four or five people per task works best.

• Plain language. Avoid jargon. Say what to do next in one line.

• Rotation. Let someone else take notes each time so every voice is heard.

• Two minute reflection. Ask what we learned, where we can use it, and what we still need.

Measuring results without heavy tools

You do not need a complex report to show progress. Use light documentation that is easy to repeat.

• A one page action plan with aim, target group, steps, and a small indicator.

• A checklist that shows what you looked at and what you changed.

• Photos from the same angle before and after.

• A two sentence summary that says what improved and what is next.

Case snapshots you can copy

• School corridor switch. A youth club placed a mug shelf and a cold water station. Single use cups dropped to near zero in two weeks.

• Safe crossing nudge. A group mapped a risky corner, sent the note with photos to the local office, and got a temporary sign while a permanent fix was planned.

• Repair hour. Three broken backpacks and two lamps were fixed in one session. The club posted the results and set a monthly slot.

How youth workers can support

• Make it simple to start. Give a ready checklist and a time box.

• Protect the reflection. Keep five minutes at the end for learning and next steps.

• Celebrate small wins. A photo wall or a weekly post keeps energy high.

• Connect to partners. A school eco club, a sports team, or a library can host and help.

Linking to wider agendas

Local actions sit within larger goals. When you post results, add a short line that links your activity to a known framework.

• European Green Deal themes such as clean energy, circular economy, and biodiversity

• Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13 Climate Action

• Youthpass competence areas such as learning to learn, social and civic competence, and sense of initiative

A starter kit you can download

If you want ready files, prepare or download these four items and keep them in a shared folder.

1. One page action plan template

2. Campaign brief with message, call to action, timeline and two indicators

3. Observation walk checklist with a two slide summary layout

4. Low waste event guide with a simple audit table

Frequently asked questions

How big should the first action be
Small is fine. One street, one class, or one lunch break can be enough to start. The point is to practice and to learn how to document.

What if our budget is zero
Choose actions that use what you already have. Borrow mugs, use a shared drive, print on the back of used paper, and ask a local shop to lend a bin for a day.

How do we keep momentum
Pick a monthly slot and stick to it. Rotate roles so no one burns out. Share your short results online to inspire the next group.

Conclusion

Young people can move a community from concern to action. With clear aims, short methods, and simple evidence, youth workers help groups build habits that last. Start small, repeat often, and show what changed. The planet needs large policies and it also needs many tiny moves that happen on ordinary days. Young people can lead both.