Written by Eleonora De Pirro

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SDSN Youth Mediterranean represented SDSN Youth at the Youth4Climate & Universities for the Future: Sparking Solutions for Climate Action event in Turin, a platform uniting youth, academics, and leaders in climate action. This event was organized by Politecnico di Torino, co-hosting SDSN Italy, and supported by SDSN Italy.

On October 25-26, Turin’s Lingotto Campus transformed into a vibrant center for climate action and sustainability discussions, convening youth representatives, academics, and environmental leaders. Organized by Politecnico di Torino in partnership with Italy’s Ministry of the Environment, UNDP, Youth4Climate, and RUS, this event underscored the importance of education and public-private partnerships as critical drivers for sustainable solutions. Held just weeks before COP29 in Baku, it set the stage for significant exchanges on climate justice. Keynote speeches included remarks from Professor Jeffrey Sachs, who highlighted the pivotal role of youth leadership in addressing the climate crisis.

Eleonora De Pirro, representing SDSN Youth and SDSN Youth Mediterranean, presented SDSN Youth’s global and regional initiatives designed to empower youth in sustainable development. A major focus of her presentation was the 2024 Networks in Action Report, which showcases innovative solutions and partnerships from SDSN networks worldwide. SDSN Youth also shared its Climate Change Guidebook: Decade of Action, a resource equipping young people with essential information and strategies for engaging in climate policy.

At the regional level, SDSN Youth Mediterranean emphasized initiatives tailored to address local climate challenges, including the F2F with SDGs series, which highlights young changemakers advancing the SDGs through impactful projects. SDSN Youth Mediterranean has also addressed issues such as food security in the Mediterranean and its connections with climate change and regional politics, illustrating how targeted programs can support regional sustainability. SDSN Youth Nigeria has similarly taken steps by launching educational programs like the Climate Actors Accelerator Programme (CAAP), which prepares youth to address global climate challenges, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to education and capacity-building worldwide.

The two-day event addressed various aspects of youth engagement in climate action. On October 25, discussions focused on the recent G7 and Youth 7 (Y7) summits, with Eleonora contributing insights on improving youth representation in policymaking. The afternoon featured a workshop led by #Youth4Climate winners, focusing on Youth, Peace, Justice, and Security topics and providing participants with practical tools for advancing climate and justice agendas.

On the second day, Italy’s Ministry of the Environment, UNDP, Youth4Climate, and RUS announced funding for green startups led by young entrepreneurs from Africa and Latin America (LAC), supporting youth-driven solutions for climate resilience and sustainable development.

The Turin event highlighted the impact of collective action and the critical roles of funding, education, and institutional support in advancing climate solutions. It emphasized that youth voices must not only be heard but also integrated into decision-making frameworks. SDSN Youth (Mediterranean) remains dedicated to connecting and empowering young people across the region, driving meaningful change and building a sustainable future through collaboration and innovation.

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