Driving Change: A Look Back at the YCP Campus Zagreb 2025
The YCP Campus Zagreb 2025 was a hub of energy, innovation, and collaboration, finally bringing together our young changemakers from across Europe in person to network, peer exchange, and develop concrete solutions for a more sustainable future. From February 13–16 in Zagreb, Croatia, YCPs turned ambitious ideas into actionable projects, leveraging expert guidance, hands-on prototyping, and strategic planning.
Under the theme ‘GREEN CITIES | Transforming Urban Environments for Sustainability,’ our YCPs embarked on a treasure hunt across Zagreb, discovering the city’s green initiatives and sustainability ventures firsthand. In addition to the exploration, participants engaged in insightful expert talks. Mia Uremović, a policy expert from the Mayor’s Office of the City of Zagreb, shared the city’s strategies and plans for becoming greener and more sustainable. Snježana Horvatić Popović spoke about her work in promoting sustainable fashion and fostering community engagement through her Paramparam Upcycle. We were also welcomed by Vestigium NGO for a field trip to the Permaculture Days event they organised in Maksimir, where participants experienced sustainable practices in action.
Throughout the YCP programme, participants had been ideating and refining climate-oriented project ideas that they aimed to implement in their home communities. During the Campus, through engaging and interactive sessions, they further developed their concepts using creative prototyping techniques such as sketching, LEGO modeling, and storyboarding—each step bringing them closer to shaping practical solutions ready for implementation.
Beyond idea generation, participants were challenged to think about impact. Who are the key stakeholders? What resources are needed? How can their projects scale to create long-term environmental and social change? These critical discussions helped bridge the gap between concept and execution.
Turning ideas into reality requires more than just enthusiasm—it demands strategic support. That’s why funding and sustainability were key topics during the Campus as well. From EU grants and international funds to crowdfunding and corporate sponsorships, participants explored diverse financing avenues to sustain their projects beyond the Campus experience. We then delved into communication techniques, where participants practiced articulating their vision with clarity and persuasion in a pitch café. They also explored the art of storytelling as a powerful tool to connect with audiences and convey the urgency of their work.
After these immersive activities, we arrived at the final day with 23 youth-led, green, innovative projects. These ranged from green cooking lessons for high school students and practicing English skills through climate conversations to biodiversity conservation, accelerator programmes for youth-led sustainability startups, communal gardening, climate action simulation games, and green supermarkets—each with the potential to drive real change. After the project presentations, four projects were awarded mini grants of €2,500 each to help implement their ideas. Whether awarded or not, every initiative reflected the passion and creativity of our YCPs, reinforcing the role of youth action in shaping a greener future.
We also took the initial steps toward co-imagining the creation of the YCP Alumni Network, sharing ideas for an ongoing platform that will facilitate collaboration, resource-sharing, and peer support for all YCPs, past, present, and future.
With the knowledge, tools, connections, and motivation gained during the program, our YCPs are now equipped to take the next steps: refining their projects, securing funding, and turning their visions into reality. We are excited about the impact they will generate and look forward to supporting their journey all the way through.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes to our cooperation partners Znanje na Djelu and the Sofia Platform Foundation, and a huge thank you to all who contributed to the success of the programme. We look forward to staying connected and building a greener future together!
The project Young Climate Professionals is funded by the European Union.
Photo credits: © THE CIVICS Innovation Hub | Mateo Di Giusto
