energy transition 101
In 2024, a new project brought together rural youth from across Europe to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the triple planetary crisis and its impact on rural areas.
Project Summary
With rural communities often overlooked in policy discussions and young people underrepresented in decision-making, this initiative sought to address these gaps by focusing on the transformative potential of energy transition.
The project, funded by the European Climate Foundation, set out to empower rural youth by raising awareness, building skills, and creating spaces for meaningful engagement in the energy transition.
The essential part of the Energy transition project was the seminar that took place in Manchester,UK between 28th August – 2nd September 2024.
International Seminar
The international seminar with 4 working days and 16 rural young participants, raised their awareness to actively engage in relation to energy transition and smart energies in their rural communities. It also empowered them and built their skills to bring this topic back to their own countries and local communities, and to take a more active role on the topic within their own rural youth organisation/ club.
Participants learnt about the triple planetary crisis and how this is connected to nature. They learnt about general principles of energy, and rural realities and energy transition. Participants also got in depth knowledge on renewable energy.
Grassroot Initiatives
Following the seminar, the project supported participants in taking their learnings back to their communities. A sub-granting scheme provided funding for local and regional consultations, enabling participants to engage more rural youth and gather insights on future priorities for energy transition initiatives.
These grassroots activities served multiple purposes: raising awareness at the local level, amplifying the voices of rural youth, and laying the groundwork for future projects. An online taking-stock event in November provided a platform for participants to share their outcomes, ensuring that the project’s impact extended far beyond the initial seminar.
Outcomes
This project was not only about addressing the energy transition but also about empowering rural youth as European citizens and change- makers. By providing them with the knowledge, skills, and tools to advocate for sustainable solutions, the project fostered a sense of ownership and agency among participants.
The project’s outcomes have set the stage for future collaboration between Rural Youth Europe and the European Climate Foundation. By engaging rural youth and amplifying their voices, this initiative has highlighted the potential of young people to drive sustainable change in their communities. As Europe moves toward a greener and more sustainable future, projects like this serve as a reminder of the vital role rural youth play in shaping policies and actions that benefit not just their local communities, but the continent as a whole.