“From climate action to more sustainable circular economies, young people are taking the lead in our towns and cities for local initiatives to improve the urban environment and quality of life,” underlined Congress Spokesperson on Youth Veronique Bertholle (France, SOC/G/PD) in her statement on the occasion of World Cities Day (31 October).

She called on authorities at all levels to give their full support to local youth action, and welcomed in this regard the recent recommendation by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers addressing the challenges arising from the climate crisis that young people face. The recommendation calls on governments to protect the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of all young people, particularly environmental defenders, whose efforts to advocate for a sustainable environment often face significant barriers. It also emphasises the need to ensure meaningful youth participation in climate-related decision-making processes.

“The Congress is supporting this call by undertaking a new revision of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, which will also strengthen young people’s participation rights in climate action and other policy areas,” stated the Congress Spokesperson. She also emphasised that among the young generation, many already fully endorse the new economic model of circular economy based on sustainable production and consumption practices as called for in the recent Congress Recommendation 512 (2024) on fostering a circular economy at local and regional levels. “Through local action, young people regularly call for and promote healthier environments and inclusive participation, and should be further encouraged and supported in this area,” concluded the Spokesperson.