University of Tartu
WP8 Lead: Stephan Dudeck, University of Tartu
dudeck@ut.ee
Mobilizing Youth Leadership and Exchange for Shaping Socio-Economic Transitions in Arctic Coastal Regions Linked to the EU Green Deal
Overview & Objectives
WP8 supports young people in Arctic coastal areas to take an active role in shaping their communities’ future in response to climate change and social challenges. It helps them connect with each other and with youth from other regions, encouraging the sharing of ideas, experiences, and visions. WP8 builds on earlier work that involved young people locally and now expands this by promoting youth-led conversations, leadership, and cooperation across regions. The project focuses on respect and relationality. It creates spaces—both online and in person—where young people can express their concerns about environmental changes and the shift to greener ways of living and working. WP8 also supports the creation of youth networks across the Arctic and beyond, helping to build solidarity and shared strategies for a more just and sustainable future.
Empowering Youth Voices in Environmental Governance: WP8 aims to strengthen the role of youth in shaping environmental decision-making by creating spaces where their experiences, concerns, and aspirations can be shared and heard. This includes understanding how climate change mitigation strategies affect their daily lives and how they envision sustainable futures in their communities.
Building Transregional Youth Networks: The work package facilitates the creation of youth networks that span both circumpolar (North-to-North) and global (North-South) dimensions. These networks are intended to foster mutual learning, solidarity, and shared strategies for addressing socio-environmental challenges, particularly those linked to extractive industries and green transitions.
Supporting Co-Creation and Knowledge Exchange: WP8 promotes the co-development of digital and physical platforms for youth to express themselves through exhibitions, storytelling, and collaborative analysis. These platforms are not only tools for communication but also for building ownership, agency, and long-term engagement in policy and community development.
Empowering Youth Voices in Environmental Governance: WP8 aims to strengthen the role of youth in shaping environmental decision-making by creating spaces where their experiences, concerns, and aspirations can be shared and heard. This includes understanding how climate change mitigation strategies affect their daily lives and how they envision sustainable futures in their communities.
Building Transregional Youth Networks: The work package facilitates the creation of youth networks that span both circumpolar (North-to-North) and global (North-South) dimensions. These networks are intended to foster mutual learning, solidarity, and shared strategies for addressing socio-environmental challenges, particularly those linked to extractive industries and green transitions.
Supporting Co-Creation and Knowledge Exchange: WP8 promotes the co-development of digital and physical platforms for youth to express themselves through exhibitions, storytelling, and collaborative analysis. These platforms are not only tools for communication but also for building ownership, agency, and long-term engagement in policy and community development.
Activities & Relational Methods
WP8 brings young people together to share ideas, build networks, and shape their future. It includes three main activities: creating an online exhibition where youth can express their views through photos, videos, and stories; forming youth-led networks across the Arctic and beyond to discuss shared challenges; and organising reflective meetings to analyse their experiences and develop ideas for change. The project uses respectful, participatory methods—such as peer-led meetings, co-design, and co-curation—to ensure youth voices are central. It avoids top-down approaches, instead encouraging open dialogue, cultural sensitivity, and creative expression through media like film, photography, and poetry.
Expected Outcomes & Impact
WP8 supports young people in Arctic coastal communities to take an active role in shaping their future. It aims to strengthen youth leadership, help them connect across regions, and make their voices heard in decisions about climate and the environment. The project will create a lasting digital platform for sharing ideas and build youth networks that reach beyond the Arctic. WP8 also promotes fair and respectful ways for young people to take part in research and policy. Its outcomes will boost youth confidence, increase their influence in EU Green Deal discussions, and support stronger, more resilient communities.
Online Platform for Youth: A digital space will be created together with young people, where they can share their ideas, stories, and creative work. This platform will help them stay connected, exchange views, and take part in conversations across different regions.
Youth Policy Brief: A short, clear document will be written with input from young people. It will explain their views on climate change and social changes in their communities and will be shared with European decision-makers, businesses, and investors.
Youth Network: A network of young people from Arctic and non-Arctic areas will be set up. It will support ongoing conversations, build solidarity, and help them work together on shared environmental and social challenges.
Personnel
Research Areas
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