The Cities Youth Climate Forum in Milan: Two Days of Discussion on Youth and Climate, with Cities and European Networks
On June 10 and 11, as part of Green Week* and the European Power Up project, Milano Cambia Aria hosted two days packed with activities, meetings, and discussions dedicated to the role of young people in climate policies and the building of European networks on the topic.
June 10 – The Story of the first Youth Climate Assembly in Milan
On the morning of June 10, a meeting open to the city was held at the Natural History Museum to present the process of the first Youth Climate Assembly of the city.
The event featured speakers including Councillor Elena Grandi, members of the Youth Advisory Team (YAT), and several stakeholders involved in the project, who recounted the stages of the process and shared the proposals developed by the young people on four key themes: youth participation, impact of digital technologies, disposables in urban consumption, and fast fashion.
This was a moment of sharing and dialogue, highlighting the value of young people’s active participation in decisions related to the city’s future.
In the afternoon, the day continued with the arrival of the European guests involved in the Power Up project. The group participated in an informal networking session, accompanied by a visit to NAMA and Scomodo, two local youth-led organisations particularly active in the cultural landscape of the city. These locations offered a tangible context for continuing the dialogue through participatory activities, focusing on the relationship between youth, cities and the environment. The Forum guests engaged in a group activity to envision the future of youth and nature in Milan.
June 11 – The European Dialogue on Youth and Climate
On the morning of June 11, the final Forum of the Power Up project took place at Palazzina Appiani, an international meeting dedicated to the discussion between cities and networks on the topic of youth participation in climate policies.
During the first part, representatives of European cities and territories – including Milan, the Basque Country, Athens, the municipalities of Pernik and Kyustendil, supported by WWF Bulgaria, and No Excuse Slovenia, the last two partners in the Power Up project – presented their experiences, describing projects, results, strengths, and areas for improvement. Each presentation was enriched by open discussion and feedback with other participants, who shared observations, insights, and potential connections, helping to build a concrete and collaborative dialogue.
The second part of the morning featured European and global networks, including YOUNGO, Eurocities, the EU Climate Pact, and CRIN (Child Rights International Network), who shared their perspectives on policies, tools, and opportunities for collaboration.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the results of the discussion will be shared among participants and collected within the Y.E.A.H. Community, a platform designed to facilitate exchange between cities, organisations, and individuals engaged in the Youth and Climate conversation.
The two days represented an important opportunity to connect local experiences and European perspectives, strengthening the role of young people as protagonists of the ecological transition.
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* the Green Week is a yearly week-long event in Milan: a widespread series of grassroots events highlighting the commitment of citizens, associations, and organisations who work every day to create a Milan that is environmentally aware, caring for green spaces, and putting people’s well-being at its core
