Youth and decision-makers together for a more sustainable future

An exchange of experiences

The first day focused on dialogue. The exchange of experiences among partners, enriched by the contribution of Katie Reid, an international expert in youth participation, explored innovative and inclusive methodologies to raise awareness among younger generations on environmental and climate issues.

The combination of theoretical and practical training on participatory tools and processes led to the development of the Training of Trainers Toolkit (ToT toolkit), a practical guide to support partners in designing the project's educational activities.

Dialogue with institutions

The second day highlighted the importance of interaction between citizens and policymakers. Partners attended the presentation of Milan's Permanent Citizens’ Assembly on Climate, a unique model that fosters civic participation in local decision-making processes. During the session, Power Up! was introduced to citizens, journalists, and institutional representatives, including Milan’s Mayor Giuseppe Sala and Councillor Elena Grandi.

Participants also had the opportunity to observe the Assembly's dynamics firsthand, gaining deeper insights into the value of citizen involvement in shaping effective climate policies.

Dissemination and next steps

To expand public engagement, the project was promoted both online, through the partners’ social media channels, and offline, with a dedicated event in one of the participating schools.

Power Up! continues its mission to foster active participation and awareness on climate change and the ecological transition.

Building strong foundations

The programme dedicated two hours to climate literacy. Starting with a collective brainstorming session, students explored the causes and consequences of climate change and then delved into the concepts of mitigation and adaptation.

Finally, the focus shifted to a critical but often overlooked issue: climate justice. A video and roleplay activity helped participants understand how environmental crises frequently lead to social inequality.

Raising your voice

During the final session, a young volunteer from the Italian Climate Network shared her experience at the UN Conference of the Parties (COP), offering a first-hand account of youth involvement in global climate policy.

To wrap up, students engaged in a structured debate around two key questions: “Is mitigation the ultimate solution to the climate crisis?” and “Can local actions truly make a difference?”

Education, participation, future

The programme gave students the tools to understand the climate crisis in all its complexity and created space for critical thinking and civic engagement.

And this is just the beginning. Thanks to the support of the City of Milan, around 90 young people will soon form the city’s first Youth Climate Assembly, an opportunity for real, hands-on civic participation that gives the next generation a voice in shaping local environmental policies.

From play to reflection

Role plays, group work, simulations: each activity designed by NoExcuse was an opportunity to go beyond numbers and charts, to dive into major European policies like the Green Deal and REPowerEU, and to see how they connect to everyday life.

Imagine governing the world

The highlight? An international negotiation simulation. Students stepped into the shoes of different stakeholders - businesses, institutions, policymakers, young activists - to search for common ground on the climate crisis. Then came an even bolder exercise: imagining themselves as “world leaders,” selecting five environmental policies to implement immediately and weighing their long-term impact.

By the end of the program, students walked away not only with deeper scientific knowledge. They also learned to look at problems with a critical eye, to defend their ideas, and to work together in search of shared solutions.

Three days to shift perspectives

The camp opened with a visit to Kyustendil City Hall, where WWF’s Liliya Arakchieva and Deputy Mayor Rositsa Plachkova introduced ongoing environmental projects and policies. From there, the programme continued with meetings, exchanges, and open discussion.

At the heart of the experience was hands-on learning: on day two, participants took part in an interactive simulation using the En-ROADS climate model, led by expert Viktor Josa. The exercise showed them how political and economic decisions directly affect the climate and that their choices matter.

On day three, it was time to put their skills to the test in a real debate: “The pros and cons of solar energy in Kyustendil,” organised by the municipality. The challenge prepared them for the next step: facilitating school debates involving classmates, teachers, and local representatives.

Strong ideas from young voices

Their proposals were ambitious and concrete: installing solar panels on school roofs, improving recycling of photovoltaic materials, ensuring transparency in decision-making, and launching local referendums. Bold, practical solutions showing that young people not only have ideas—but also the drive to make them a reality.

Preparing for change

To fully engage in the ECOSOC simulation, students took part in preparatory training sessions led by experts from WWF Bulgaria. Stella Christova and Raina Popova introduced the concept of a Just Transition, the European Union’s energy policies, and key negotiation strategies.

Their sessions were complemented by a workshop from Sussie Lundegard (WWF Sweden), who guided participants through a collaborative design exercise focused on creating more sustainable cities. It was a hands-on opportunity for young people to reimagine the urban spaces of tomorrow.

Stepping into decision-making roles

During the simulation, over 50 students took on the roles of trade union representatives, business leaders, policy makers, and youth delegates. Working in stakeholder groups, they developed shared solutions to ensure a fair energy transition in regions heavily reliant on coal.

Among the proposals that emerged: transforming former coal mines into research and innovation hubs, creating heritage tourism trails, and launching vocational training programmes for professional reskilling.

From ideas to action

The event concluded with a collective debriefing session, where all the proposals were compiled into a Youth Position Paper, a final document that will be presented to institutions in Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Italy.

A symbolic act, but also a political one: because the voices of the younger generation deserve a place wherever the future is being shaped.

A format tailored to young learners

Organised by No Excuse Slovenia, the training was delivered in four short, interactive hybrid sessions involving high schools in Slovenia, Italy, and Bulgaria, followed by one main online session with international participation.

During the in-school sessions, students had the chance to explore En-ROADS, a digital climate simulator that illustrates how economic and policy decisions impact global temperature rise. The sessions were guided by Viktor Josa, an En-ROADS Climate Ambassador, who joined online, supported by local facilitators in the classroom.

 Ideas from around the world to inspire local action

The highlight of the programme was the international session held on 26 March, which brought together young people and representatives from environmental organisations across several countries.
The focus of the session was on sharing successful and concrete sustainability and climate action initiatives. Participants met in small national and international groups, where they could ask questions, exchange experiences, and reflect on the impact and potential of youth-led initiatives.

Sharing personal experiences

“Have you ever taken part in climate-related initiatives? In your experience, what could be improved? What new skills would help you take a more active role?”

These were the questions that guided the final part of the workshop. Young participants reflected on their past experiences, discussed challenges they had faced, and explored what skills they would need to make a greater impact in environmental advocacy.

It was a collaborative and open exchange that highlighted diverse perspectives and reinforced the motivation to take part in collective change.

The voice of youth

The first to speak were the young people. After sharing their experience with the simulation of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), they put forward their vision of a just transition: from research centers dedicated to green technologies, to retraining programs for workers, to investments in renewable energy and sustainable tourism.