GreenerFuture. Young green employment and initiatives: an opportunity to build a more sustainable future.

Considering the objectives of the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the European Union’s plans, the New Green Deal and Next Generation EU, the ecological transition has passed from being a recommended action to that of a fundamental tool in dealing with the challenges posed by the current climate crisis, and to improve the existing production and consumption model. Today the European Union promotes the development of a sustainable economy, capable of developing new economic models and up to 2 million new jobs. In order to integrate themselves within the sector it is fundamental to support European workers, in particular young people who disproportionally suffer the economic affects that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the European economy, in acquiring the necessary competencies and skills to find green employment.

Thanks to the initiatives promoted by the Erasmus+ project #GreenerFuture, it can support the capacity building of organizations to train, guide and advise young people in the development of the skills needed to apply for green jobs within the framework of the solidarity economy and the transformation of economic sectors towards cleaner technologies. At the same time, it can encourage young entrepreneurship towards new sustainable business models, promoting a stable work integration, while ensuring the care of the environment and fight against climate change.

The first part of the project involves a mapping of social and sustainable entrepreneurial initiatives currently present in Europe, with a focus on the 4 European Union member states involved in the project (Italy, Spain, Belgium and Denmark) and a pan-european level. The second part of #GreenerFuture concerns a series of trainings aimed at organizations and stakeholders that work with and for young people on the theme of climate justice, on the ecological transition and on the new economic sectors emerging in Europe with the purpose of strengthening their capacities to support youth in entering the green economy. The third part of the project unites the competencies acquired in the previous steps and the heads of groups of young people (with a particular focus on young people with less opportunities), with the end goal of involving and supporting them in the creation of new social and sustainable initiatives.

The activities have been adapted in accordance with national and international measures relating to the COVID-19 emergency, with the possibility of also carrying them out virtually if necessary.