#OurFutureEurope
Over the course of our Young Climate Professionals (YCP) programme, the second cohort (YCP 2.0) has been developing and refining climate-focused project ideas aimed at driving positive change in their home communities. These mini projects – ranging from green cooking classes for high school students and practising English through climate conversations to biodiversity conservation, accelerator programmes for youth-led sustainability startups, communal gardening, climate action simulation games, and green supermarkets – were presented during the YCP Campus in Zagreb, held from 13 to 16 February 2025.
We are excited to announce the four winning projects that received the highest ratings from our jury of climate action experts at the YCP Campus. Below is a brief overview of each winning project and the motivations behind them – what inspired the participants to act, and why their work is urgently needed in their communities.
1. Harriet Klepper, Germany – YouFoodHero
YouFoodHero is an initiative that introduces teenagers aged 12 to 17 to healthy, plant-based cooking through hands-on workshops that are both good for personal well-being and the climate. By learning how to turn healthy ingredients into delicious meals, young people are gently steered away from fast food and unhealthy alternatives without feeling like they are missing out.
The project is built around a threefold impact. First, the health aspect: by adopting healthier diets, children increase their chances of long-term well-being. Unhealthy eating habits are linked to a range of conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Crucially, children often influence their families’ habits, meaning the impact extends beyond the individual. Second, the independence aspect: through learning to cook and make informed choices, young participants gain life skills that build autonomy and boost self-confidence. Finally, the climate aspect: plant-based foods have a significantly lower resource footprint in terms of water, land, and carbon emissions.
Through YouFoodHero, children become empowered FoodHeroes capable of caring for themselves, others, and the planet in a sustainable way. The first stage of the project involves developing the concept and piloting at least one workshop in a German school. The format includes both a theoretical component covering agriculture’s climate impact and principles of healthy eating and a practical session where participants cook together.
Motivation & Need for the project
Agriculture contributes up to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with animal agriculture being a major contributor. Transitioning to plant-based diets – which can be 10 to 50 times less harmful to the environment – is therefore essential in combating climate change. Early exposure to these ideas helps children develop sustainable habits that can last a lifetime. YouFoodHero addresses both personal and planetary health through an engaging, youth-centred approach.
2. Ledianë Durmishi, Kosovo – Empowering Future Leaders Through Climate Education for Rural Impact
This project responds to the urgent need for accessible environmental education in Kosovo’s rural communities. It is designed to empower students, particularly those in less-served areas to take an active role in sustainability and local climate action. By introducing a structured curriculum that blends climate science, sustainable agricultural practices, and community resilience strategies, the project nurtures climate literacy, leadership, and critical thinking.
Its core objectives are to raise awareness of climate change through interactive workshops, to build practical sustainability skills, and to encourage civic engagement through hands-on applications. The intended result is a more environmentally conscious youth population, actively participating in local initiatives and equipped with a replicable education model that can serve other rural contexts.
The project focuses on university and primary school students from Prishtina and Podujeva, especially those living in rural areas where environmental education is often limited or absent. It will run over a six-month period, combining theoretical and practical learning experiences delivered in schools and community centres. Activities include workshops, skill-building sessions, and student-led sustainability actions, all with the goal of building confidence, knowledge, and local impact.
Motivation & Need for the project
Rural areas are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change yet frequently lack access to educational tools that would allow them to respond effectively. This project bridges that gap by equipping youth with the awareness and skills they need to take meaningful action. It connects civic learning with environmental responsibility, fostering future local leaders who are informed, motivated, and capable of driving sustainable change. The support provided by the YCP programme enables the development of tailored materials, fair compensation for facilitators, and the logistical groundwork essential to making this work accessible and inclusive.
3. Megi Marku, Albania – Water Spot: Pikë Uji 2.0
Pikë Uji 2.0 is a youth-led urban intervention focused on installing a public drinking water fountain in either Korça or Durrës. The project seeks to address environmental sustainability and climate awareness through a simple yet powerful public service: free access to clean drinking water. At the same time, the fountain will feature a climate education banner, transforming it into a small community hub that combines functionality with environmental advocacy.
The project’s main goals are to install the fountain in a central, highly frequented location; to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles by encouraging the use of reusable alternatives; to raise awareness of climate change through an informative display; and to engage young people and local residents in dialogue and action around environmental issues.
Targeting urban residents, especially youth and families, Pikë Uji 2.0 focuses on groups who are both deeply affected by climate change and have significant potential to drive behavioural change. The six-month implementation plan includes preparation, community consultations, site selection, installation, and public outreach. Activities involve working with local partners, sourcing and installing the fountain, developing and displaying the educational material, and hosting a public launch event to mark the project’s completion.
Motivation & Need for the project
In the face of growing climate pressures, waste challenges, and inadequate urban infrastructure, Pikë Uji 2.0 offers a practical, low-cost intervention that delivers both environmental and educational benefits. It encourages the use of reusable water bottles, reduces plastic waste, and provides a visible and accessible reminder of sustainability in everyday life. The project is designed to spark curiosity, change habits, and initiate conversations about climate in public spaces making sustainability tangible for all. Its replicability, affordability, and symbolic value make it a smart and scalable solution for climate-conscious urban living.
Image credits: Hooman R. | Unsplash
4. Daniela Waltl, Austria – FLOW and FORM: A Hands-On Exploration of River Systems
The project ‘FLOW and FORM’ is a climate education project that uses artistic methods and aesthetic exploration in a playful way to visualise the environmental impact of river systems and how human interactions alter it in the Salzburg and Salzach region in Austria. Beyond strengthening the personal connection people will have with nature, the project importantly seeks to invoke a stronger conviction among people to care and cater and protect the natural ecosystem and will encourage discussions and social interactions on the intersection of geographic, climate education, sustainability in a conservational and creative way. The project seeks to explore how rivers flow, change, and shape landscapes while also investigating how humans alter and manage rivers through canals, dams, and embankments.
The core idea is to understand river systems not only scientifically but also experientially and artistically, fostering a deeper appreciation of natural water dynamics. The project will bring together researchers, artists and enthusiasts together for an interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration. Through experimentation with materials, the project explores creative ways to edit scientific topics related to river systems, making complex environmental issues more tangible and accessible. The project will culminate in a 2 to 4 day public presentation, providing further spaces for communal discussion, engagement and knowledge sharing and exchanges.
Motivation & Need for the project
Modern lifestyles and infrastructure often distance people from nature and their surroundings. This project seeks to change that by uncovering the complexities of ecosystem protection and highlight how human actions disrupt the natural flow of the environment, raising awareness of the environmental and social dimensions of river management. FLOW and FORM invites participants to rediscover and reclaim curiosity and sensitivity to natural systems, encouraging questions about sustainability, human impact, and creative expression.
Image credits: Nutnicha Chanpia | Unsplash
Each of the winning projects received a mini grant of €2,500 to support their implementation. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing these inspiring ideas take shape on the ground and will be providing all the support they need to see their ideas come to fruition. We will be following their journeys closely and sharing updates on their progress. Stay tuned to see how these youth-led initiatives help build more sustainable, resilient, and climate-conscious communities across Europe.