Improving Education-Driven Solutions for Youth in Climate Action

On 27 March 2026, a diverse group of 17 practitioners, educators, researchers, and project representatives gathered at the NewClimate Institute in Cologne for a one-day workshop dedicated to strengthening youth agency in climate protection and the energy transition. The event was co-organized by the Wuppertal Institute, through its initiatives Energía Joven and School4future, in collaboration with Teachers for Future, bringing together perspectives from both German and Argentine contexts.

The workshop opened with remarks highlighting the importance of collaboration among initiatives working with young people in climate and energy fields. A video message from the Club of Rome’s Earth4All initiative provided a global perspective and insight into their work in Argentina. Participants introduced their work, revealing a diverse range of projects – from school-based programs to international initiatives engaging youth in different socio-economic contexts.

The keynote sessions brought together both practical and conceptual perspectives. While one focused on international experiences from projects engaging youth across different contexts, the other provided a more reflective take on youth engagement and the role of education in climate protection, setting the scene for the discussions that followed.

The core of the workshop consisted of interactive World Café discussions, focusing on strategies to engage youth, relevant knowledge and skills, pedagogical approaches, and the role of schools. The diversity of participants led to rich and dynamic exchanges, combining experiences from different sectors and contexts. This enabled a multifaceted understanding of how youth engagement can be approached across settings.

In the final session, participants emphasised the value of the workshop as a space for inspiration, reflection and connection. Key takeaways included the importance of diverse perspectives, the effectiveness of interactive formats such as the World Café, and the strong networking opportunities created. Many highlighted the benefit of stepping outside their usual environments to exchange ideas and explore new approaches.

Overall, the workshop successfully fostered mutual learning and collaboration, contributing to ongoing efforts to strengthen youth engagement in climate protection and the energy transition. Participants left with new insights, valuable connections and renewed motivation to further develop their work in this field.