In this unit we will focus on campaigns in which youth can actively participate in the planning, in the implementation of projects, in the organization of different tasks to carry out the development of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In addition, this unit seeks to ignite enthusiasm to be an active part of change. Those young people who use this guide will be provided with information about campaigns that are held annually or biannually.
Here are many environmental campaigns in Europe that engage young people in addressing environmental issues.
In this unit we will focus on campaigns in which youth can actively participate in the planning, in the implementation of projects, in the organization of different tasks to carry out the development of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In addition, this unit seeks to ignite enthusiasm to be an active part of change. Those young people who use this guide will be provided with information about campaigns that are held annually or biannually.
Here are many environmental campaigns in Europe that engage young people in addressing environmental issues.
Fridays for Future
Fridays for Future is a global movement started by young climate activist Greta Thunberg, which encourages students to strike from school and demand action on climate change. The movement has spread throughout Europe, with regular strikes and protests organized by young people in cities across the continent.
https://fridaysforfuture.org/
Let’s Clean Up Europe
Let’s Clean Up Europe is an annual campaign that encourages citizens to take action to clean up their local environment. The campaign is organized by the European Commission and has a strong focus on engaging young people in the effort to reduce waste and litter.
European Youth Climate Pact
The European Youth Climate Pact is an initiative of the European Commission that aims to engage young people in the development of climate policy. The program provides a platform for young people to share their ideas and opinions on climate change, and encourages them to take action to reduce emissions and promote sustainability.
https://climate-pact.europa.eu/young-people_en
European Youth Climate Pact
The European Youth Climate Pact is an initiative of the European Commission that aims to engage young people in the development of climate policy. The program provides a platform for young people to share their ideas and opinions on climate change, and encourages them to take action to reduce emissions and promote sustainability.
www.eu-oceanliteracy.eu
Young Leader for the SDGs
In September 2016, the inaugural group of 17 Young Leaders was announced. Coming from different backgrounds, sectors and regions, the Young Leaders are selected based on their efforts to end poverty, combat climate change and reduce inequalities.
They work with the Envoy for Youth engaging young people on the SDGs, advocating for their achievements and contributing to a trust fund that supports the UN’s advocacy efforts to mobilize young people.
Throughout the two-year term, these Young Leaders will engage young people for the 2030 Agenda, not only through their existing initiatives, platforms and networks but through advocacy opportunities with the United Nations and its partners.
Becoming a Young Leader is a title of recognition from the United Nations for young people who are excelling in their contributions to helping deliver on the SDGs in their communities.
Following an open call for applications earlier this year, which resulted in more than 5,400 applications from over 190 countries, this next group of Young Leaders hail from all corners of the world and work
across all pillars of the UN.
Learn more about our former classes of Young Leaders for the SDGs: 2022 Class https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2022class/
Candidates are selected based on the following criteria:
Leadership – Ability to influence and motivate others
Innovation – Uniqueness and ingenuity
Scalability – Potential to benefit others beyond their current scope of impact
Impact – Measurable outcomes directly linked to their work
Presentation – Inspire and motivate others through storytelling
Other factors that are taken into consideration are:
Achievement – Commitment to promoting and advancing key areas of the SDGs
Influence – Commitment to inclusive and innovative leadership
Integrity – Commitment to core values of the United Nations
Young leaders actively support the following objectives:
Advocate – Advocate for the SDGs in ways most accessible and relevant to young people across different contexts
Engage – Promote innovative ways of engaging their audiences and peers in the advocacy and realization of the SDGs
Build – Contribute to a brain trust of young leaders supporting the UN and partners for key moments and initiatives related to the SDGs
The last call for proposals closed in March 2022, so it is expected that the campaign will be launched again in 2024. The target audience is young people aged 15 to 29, from all over the world and from many different backgrounds, who are leading positive change towards a sustainable future.
Be the Change
The “Be the Change” initiative gives us the opportunity to “lead by example” when it comes to the SDGs. This initiative guides and encourages us to live more sustainably at work and at home, changing our consumption habits, using active means of transport such as bicycles and buying local food.
This initiative is not just for young people, on the contrary, everyone is welcome to participate. Every small step helps. One of their mottos is: inform your family, your friends and your community about simple actions they can take in their daily lives.
https://www.bethechangeyi.com/
Little x Little (LxL)
We know the power of social media today. Social networks are usually the most used means of communication by the Z Generation. In them they exchange ideas, creations, opinions, create content, etc.
This generation was born in the digital era and they know how to use video as a form of expression.
In 2018, the “Litte by Little” campaign was launched with the goal of creating a movement among Generation Z youth to support the SDGs through videos on different social platforms using the hashtag #littlexlittle.
https://www.youtube.com/@LittlebyLittle/about
Act now
This initiative focuses on individual actions and is not only focused on young people, everyone can participate. “Act Now” is the United Nations campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability.
Each one of us can contribute to limiting global warming and taking care of the planet. By making choices that have less harmful effects on the environment, we can be part of the solution and effect change.
To participate in this campaign, you need to install an application and register the actions you take to contribute to the global count. Every one of us can help limit global warming and take care of our planet. By making choices that have less harmful effects on the environment, we can be part of the solution and influence change. To participate in this campaign, you need to install an application and register the actions you take to contribute to the global count.
https://www.un.org/en/actnow/about
Free & Equal
In July 2013, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) launched UN Free & Equal – an unprecedented global UN public information campaign aimed at promoting equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTI people.
In 2017, UN Free & Equal reached 2.4 billion social media feeds around the world and generated a stream of widely shared materials – including powerful videos, impactful graphics and plain-language fact sheets. Several campaign videos – including a popular Bollywood-themed clip “The Welcome” – rank among the most watched videos ever produced by the United Nations.
You can watch the Welcome video at the following link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lihVCIFamb0&t=5s. National UN Free & Equal campaigns and events have been organized in almost 30 countries, with visible support from UN, political, community and religious leaders and from celebrities in all regions of the world.
https://www.unfe.org/