Young people in Dresden and Leipzig will be able to implement their ideas for climate protection in a pilot project in future. The regional groups of the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) in both cities are launching "Youth Climate Councils", which will work together with municipal stakeholders to make the "voice of the future" heard, BUND announced.
Councils should help to actively shape society
"Young people are calling for a change towards a sustainable society, as was seen not least during the global climate strike in September. By involving them in political processes, we can promote their commitment," emphasized Klara-Johanna Fabisch, coordinator for the Youth Climate Council in Dresden. This not only strengthens the acceptance of political decisions, but also the self-efficacy of young people. "It motivates them to play an active role in shaping our society."
In Dresden, the administration presented a roadmap for a possible climate-neutral city to the city council this year with the integrated energy and climate protection concept. The continued involvement of children and young people is also desired in the implementation phase of the concept. With the help of their perspective, sustainable solutions are to be developed.
Interested schools are still being sought for the project
The Youth Climate Council is to meet five times a year and present the city with a paper containing demands from the perspective of young people at the end of 2025. Interested schools or school working groups that deal with the topics of climate protection, sustainability or education for sustainable development and would like to participate in this project can apply to BUND until November 10. If successful, they will be provided with a budget to implement a climate protection project at their school.
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