The Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum for Southeast Europe aims to bring together young people from countries in Southeast Europe to participate collaboratively in promoting climate diplomacy and engaging in dialogue to address the climate crisis in a region particularly vulnerable to global warming.
Climate diplomacy is a multi-level tool that can contribute to highlighting and implementing climate goals and shaping better policies. It should promote intergenerational awareness and underscore the role of youth in shaping and implementing decisions to address climate change.
Through the implementation of a just green transition and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans, faster integration into the European Union is promoted, along with efforts to combat brain drain in these countries.
The participation of young people in international networks will create new collaborations and inspire innovative actions to achieve climate goals and a sustainable future.
The YCDF includes participants from the 13 economies of Southeast Europe, who will come together to strengthen the collaboration of youth to formulate a common strategy to address the climate crisis. It will open opportunities for education and capacity-building at the national and regional levels; empower the creation of communication campaigns to enhance youth action; and raise cross-border awareness to inform the world about the climate crisis.
It provides states with the opportunity to exchange best practices for necessary environmental reforms, with an emphasis on the Western Balkans region, aiming for their integration into the European Union. The Forum aims to create a space for cooperation with the Regional Cooperation Council within the framework of the SEE 2030 Strategy.
The Forum operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the UNESCO Chair for Climate Diplomacy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).
The 1st Conference of Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum was held with great success at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens on 1-2 November 2024, bringing together 13 young professionals from Greece and Southeast European countries with the aim of joint action and promoting climate diplomacy in the region.