On Friday, 17 October 2025, KMOP hosted a Policy Dialogue on “Youth and the Environment”, bringing together representatives of environmental and youth organisations, journalists, activists, and researchers who shared a common goal: to highlight the vital role of young people in shaping policies that address the climate crisis.
From Consultation to Meaningful Participation
Jenny Lazarou, KMOP’s Project Implementation Coordinator, moderated the discussion. Participants focused on the gap between young people’s growing environmental awareness and their actual representation in decision-making processes. Despite their enthusiasm and motivation, Greece still lacks stable and institutionalised mechanisms, such as local or regional youth councils on climate issues—that enable sustained participation.
They stressed that youth participation should move beyond consultation and extend to genuine representation in policy and decision-making. Strengthening collaboration with local authorities, creating regular dialogue spaces, and promoting intergenerational cooperation emerged as essential steps toward that goal.
Many participants also pointed out that limited institutional trust and insufficient funding continue to block progress.
Education, Skills and Climate Journalism
In the second part of the discussion, participants examined how universities and NGOs can strengthen young people’s capacity to act on environmental issues. They emphasised the need for education on environmental governance, training in climate advocacy, and stronger links between students, local authorities, and civil society.
Participants also highlighted the importance of climate journalism. Environmental reporting in Greece remains limited, and media outlets need to give greater prominence to environmental stories. Young journalists should have opportunities to cover major international events, such as the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in order to broaden public awareness and enrich the national debate on the climate crisis.
Key priorities
The Policy Dialogue concluded with four key priorities:
- Establish permanent consultation mechanisms and ensure institutional continuity.
- Provide education and build skills for climate advocacy.
- Foster stronger cooperation among universities, civil society organisations, and local authorities.
- Amplify young people’s voices in the public sphere and the media.
The event demonstrated that meaningful dialogue and co-creation between institutions, professionals, and young people can form the foundation for a fair and inclusive green transition.
The dialogue took place within the framework of the European initiative CLIMentines, coordinated by KMOP, which empowers young people to actively engage in shaping policies for a sustainable and just future.
Participants:
- Sotiris Anastasopoulos, Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum, EU Climate Pact Ambassador & Project Assistant, YCDF
- Mirka Argyriou, Intervention 2030, Coordination Team Member
- Lefteris-Foivos Vasilopoulos, Intervention 2030, Coordination Team Member
- Sokratis Vlachakis, UNICEF Greece, Sustainability & Environmental Justice Programme Officer
- Alexandra Garani, Common Ground Greece, Coordinator & Community Engagement Lead-Greece, Mindworks Lab
- Rania El Abasy, KMOP, Senior Project Manager
- Dr Lina Zirganou-Kazolea (Political Scientist & Researcher)
- Iason Kantas, Mindworks – Heatwaves Greece, Project Coordinator
- Eleni Kardamitsi Hellenic Youth Participation, Project Manager
- Ioanna Kardara Athens–Macedonian News Agency, Journalist
- Giorgos Kemerlis Intervention 2030, Coordination Team Member
- Dimitris Kollias Independent, Strategic Advisor for the Energy Transition & EU Climate Pact Ambassador
- Nefeli Konidari, iSea, Policy Officer
- Sophia Koudouni KMOP, EU Project Manager & Researcher, CLIMentines Project
- Vlassis Manolias Odyssea, EU Project Manager
- Eugenia Panoriou Hellenic Ornithological Society, Environmental Education Coordinator
- Fryni Papanikolaou ARCHELON, Volunteer Coordinator
- Angela Skempi KMOP, CLIMentines Project Manager
- Sandy Fameliari Electra Energy Cooperative, Project Manager for Energy Communities & Environmental Physicist
- Eva Iliadi – Vagena, we4all, Αdvocate for Human Rights and Climate Action
- Liakakou Laskarina, Lawyer & Journalist
- Kontaxi Eva, Associate, GreenACT
- Gogo Chatziathanasiou Final-year Student, Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus
For further information, please contact: [email protected]