SIE - SEE

Youth Voices Policy Choices

Youth Voices Policy Choices (YVPC) aims at empowering the new generation of water leaders, building trust and motivating them to become agents of change at different levels, starting at their own communities. By providing an open space for discussion, Youth Voices Policy Choices creates synergies between stakeholders, who debate and learn from one another. Emerging young leaders then have the opportunity to present their concerns, questions and proposals to the decision makers, and to receive constructive and necessary feedback to make their voices heard better at a local and international level.

Making European youth voices heard

Through different dialogue sessions dedicated to water and climate change issues, youth advocacy and youth participation in the decision-making processes, the participants succeeded to identify concrete challenges but also opportunities for youth to take action for water and climate acting as valuable change makers. These propositions and key messages were presented and discussed with the decision makers during the dialogue sessions. Using feedback to bring new ideas and move forward to develop a common shared vision between youth and decision makers.

The first dialogue

The first dialogue took place in Warsaw (Pologue) from July 4 to 6, 2018. It was in the context of the GWP CEE summer school “Towards 2030 Agenda: A summer school for climate change, innovation and youth advocacy in water management” that gathered fourty-six MSc and PhD students from 18 countries (Armenia, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Trinidad and Tobago). The decision-makers involved in this first dialogue were represented by Liliana Rastocka (Slovak Ministry of Environment), Mitja Bricelj (State Secretary of Slovenian Ministry of Environment), Adam Kovacs (International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River), Venera Vlad (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), Viktor Orozsi (EU Strategy for the Danube Region, Hungarian Ministry of foreign affairs), Lucka Kajfez Bogataj (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change member).

A strong presence at COP 24

The youth finalized their vision for the future using the feedback from policy-makers, presented it to their national decision-makers and brought the final results to the second dialogue during the COP 24. Discover their actions during the 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP24) held on 3-14 December 2018 in Katowice, Poland. “Youth voices policy choices: a dialogue for water and climate between young leaders and policy-makers” is an initiative funded by the program ERASMUS+ of the European Union. It was born from our collaboration with the Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe (GWP CEE) and the Youth Water Community Central and Eastern Europe (YWC CEE). For more information, consult the GWP CEE article.

Photos

Thanks to our partners

News

Youth for Water and Climate Programme : 1st in- person workshop

Last week, we gathered 20 young Europeans in Budapest (Hungary) for the first mobility of the “Youth for Water and Climate Program“, a capacity building project for young professionals in the water sector. This 8-month program offers, among other things, a mentoring experience, support in finding internships and an online curriculum to support the development … Continue reading Youth for Water and Climate Programme : 1st in- person workshop

Read more >

Meet the inaugural cohort of the Youth for Water and Climate Programme

Twenty young water and climate professionals from Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, France and Sweden form the first cohort of the Youth for Water and Climate Programme. Climate change is disrupting weather patterns, leading to extreme weather events, unpredictable water availability, exacerbating water scarcity and contaminating water supplies. We must act, and supporting young professionals is part … Continue reading Meet the inaugural cohort of the Youth for Water and Climate Programme

Read more >
SIE - SEE

The Youth for Water and Climate Platform showcased at COP26

From October 31st to November 12th, thousands of world leaders, young people, women, indigenous people, business leaders and scientists from around the world convened in Glasgow for the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference to discuss the future of our planet. Following two weeks of intense negotiations, the Glasgow Climate Pact has been signed by over 200 nations. This … Continue reading The Youth for Water and Climate Platform showcased at COP26

Read more >
SIE - SEE

Global Youth Take Action 2nd edition: 9 selected projects

In June 2021, the International Secretariat for Water (ISW) launched the “Global Youth Take Action – 2nd edition” call for projects on the Youth for Water and Climate Platform (YWC). We are pleased to announce that 211 projects were submitted from over 70 countries with more than 50% of the projects led by women. This response demonstrates the … Continue reading Global Youth Take Action 2nd edition: 9 selected projects

Read more >

Call for projects: Global Youth Take Action 2nd edition

Over the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequalities worldwide regarding access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services and the capacity of vulnerable populations to respond to a global health emergency (2019 JMP Report, OMS/UNICEF). However, the increasing need for water to comply with hygiene recommendations coincides with the increasing unreliability of water supply … Continue reading Call for projects: Global Youth Take Action 2nd edition

Read more >

Final results of the Global Youth Take Action projects: Stories of impact

During spring 2020, the Secretariat International for Water launched the “Global Youth Take Action” call for solutions to answer the need expressed by youths who wanted to get involved in their communities. Following the call for solutions, 9 projects led by young leaders worldwide were selected to receive technical and financial support. The main goal of this … Continue reading Final results of the Global Youth Take Action projects: Stories of impact

Read more >

Global Youth Take Action: 9 selected projects

Our call for solutions “Global Youth Take Action” has ended. Launched in May 2020, we are pleased to announce that 294 projects were submitted from more than 50 countries. This response demonstrates that a growing number of young water leaders are ready to mobilize and propose innovative solutions for a peaceful and sustainable future.  The COVID19 health crisis that has hit the world has … Continue reading Global Youth Take Action: 9 selected projects

Read more >

Call for projects

Call for Projects Global Youth Take Action Step up. Innovate. Act. As the world faces a global health emergency, the vital importance of integrated and sustainable water management is emphasized. All over the world, youth have stepped up and mobilized to lend a helping hand to those most in need by proposing inspiring, creative, and … Continue reading Call for projects

Read more >

World Water Week 2019 in Review

Reaching new heights for youth and civil-society inclusion during Stockholm World Water Week For Stockholm World Water Week 2019, our team was very busy promoting youth and civil society voices.  Intergenerational Dialogue It is through sustained dialogue between generations that solutions to the challenges of our world can be identified and implemented. Adopting an inclusive approach … Continue reading World Water Week 2019 in Review

Read more >

Featuring Youth-Led Solutions at World Water Week

Partnering for Innovation Generation #YouthforWaterandClimate Tuesday, August 27th | 16:00-17:30 | Room: Young Professional Booth – D01 Organized in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership, Young Water Solutions and CEWAS. The Youth for Water and Climate Platform featured an afternoon of activities dedicated to supporting youth-led projects and social businesses. Youth project leaders from around the world, selected and vetted … Continue reading Featuring Youth-Led Solutions at World Water Week

Read more >

YWC Call for proposals!

Be Bold. Be Creative. Get Support. The International Secretariat for Water is pleased to announce a call for proposals for youth-led projects, through the Youth for Water and Climate #YWC Platform! Deadline to submit: 16 October 2018. This call for proposals has been designed to identify, encourage and support youth engagement related to water management and climate change … Continue reading YWC Call for proposals!

Read more >

Stockholm World Water Week – an involved civil society

For a strong committment of civil society and youth at the Stockholm World Water Week From left to right: Hannane Sellali (ISW), Lindsey Adalco-Manning (WYPW), Sarah Dousse (ISW) and Biljana Rimcheska (YWCCEE) We co-convened these sessions: Youth for Water and Climate Day! Wednesday, August 29th | All day | Room: Young Professionals booth – MV1 Organized … Continue reading Stockholm World Water Week – an involved civil society

Read more >
SIE - SEE

YOUTH VOICES POLICY CHOICES: A DIALOGUE FOR WATER AND CLIMATE BETWEEN EUROPEAN YOUTH AND POLICY MAKERS

The first dialogue of  “Youth Voices Policy Choices” was held from July 4th to July 6th in Warsaw.  During those 3 days, Solidarity Water Europe and it’s partners put a great focus on youth advocacy for water and climate by opening the dialogue between young water leaders and policy makers. Making European youth voices heard … Continue reading YOUTH VOICES POLICY CHOICES: A DIALOGUE FOR WATER AND CLIMATE BETWEEN EUROPEAN YOUTH AND POLICY MAKERS

Read more >

Summer just around the corner: Youth Voices Policy Choices begins

When it comes to the complex interaction between water and climate change, narrowing the gap between youth’s concerns and European policymakers’ priorities is a vital challenge. Our program Youth Voices → Policy Choices will start a dialogue between European graduate students from select countries, and key decision makers on water and climate. Preparations are now underway … Continue reading Summer just around the corner: Youth Voices Policy Choices begins

Read more >

Youth for Water and Climate platform launches at World Water Forum

The Youth for Water and Climate platform officially launched on World Water Day in Brasilia. Developed by ISW, the Global Water Partnership – GWP – and partners, the web platform connects young water leaders to technical and financial resources. On March 22, ISW Executive Director Sarah Dousse and GWP Steering Committee member Tracy Molefi official … Continue reading Youth for Water and Climate platform launches at World Water Forum

Read more >

SWE gives a boost to Eastern European youth thanks to Erasmus+

  Youth Voices → Policy Choices: Giving a boost to Eastern European youth thanks to Erasmus+ Young leaders will meet with policymakers to envision a future in water ahead of COP24  STRASBOURG, Jan. 15, 2018 – Solidarity Water Europe is proud to announce that a new international initiative pairing young water advocates with policymakers has … Continue reading SWE gives a boost to Eastern European youth thanks to Erasmus+

Read more >
SIE - SEE

Water and Peace: Young Water Champions address high-level panel

Water is not just a climate or a development issue. Proper management of water resources is also essential to ensure security.. On September 14, the ISW’s Young Water Champions for Central Asia participated in the launch of the report from the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace, entitled A Matter of Survival. Bota Sharipova … Continue reading Water and Peace: Young Water Champions address high-level panel

Read more >
SIE - SEE

ISW @ COP23: Water Action Day

The ISW will be presenting at the opening of the official Water Action Day at COP23 this week. The day of high-level dialogue, panels and action puts water in the spotlight. The ISW will present Your Future, Your Climate (#TonFuturTonClimat) at the opening plenary session. The initiative supports three innovative youth-led micro-projects in West Africa … Continue reading ISW @ COP23: Water Action Day

Read more >
SIE - SEE

Youth for Water and Climate platform launches

On August 29, the Youth for Water and Climate movement launched their long-awaited platform at the Stockholm World Water Week.  The goal of #YWC is to help youth develop concepts and proposals, facilitate fundraising, and promote contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and climate agendas. We are building an online platform to connect young leaders with potential donors … Continue reading Youth for Water and Climate platform launches

Read more >

The Swiss Cooperation is supporting the development of our Youth Strategy

The ISW-SWE movement has been involved for more than 20 years in the development of programs for young people, notably through the Youth Parliaments for Water (EYPW, WYPW), enabling young people to be actively involved and bringing their voice to the water sector. To solidify these programs, to diversify the interventions with young people and … Continue reading The Swiss Cooperation is supporting the development of our Youth Strategy

Read more >
COP22 Marrakech

ISW-SWE at COP22

ISW-SWE at COP22! The 22nd Conference of the Parties of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change approaching! From 7 to 18 November in Marrakech in Morocco, the Parties will meet once again to ensure the continuation of the Paris Agreement. The agreement reached at the COP21 last December in Paris is coming into force … Continue reading ISW-SWE at COP22

Read more >

COP21: Launch of the White Paper and presentation to Ségolène Royal

The WYPW has been involved for the past year in drafting a white paper alongside the Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse and the Global Water Partnership. Bringing together around fifty young french speakers from the four corners of the world, the project aims to present the ideas and potential actions for youth around water issues … Continue reading COP21: Launch of the White Paper and presentation to Ségolène Royal

Read more >

Publications

Call for projects: Global Youth Take Action 2nd edition

Over the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequalities worldwide regarding access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services and the capacity of vulnerable populations to respond to a global health emergency (2019 JMP Report, OMS/UNICEF). However, the increasing need for water to comply with hygiene recommendations coincides with the increasing unreliability of water supply … Continue reading Call for projects: Global Youth Take Action 2nd edition

Read more >