Environment and Youth at the core of the 6th Transnational Partners Meeting of the E-Voice project

From June 18-19, 2024, the E-VOICE project partners were welcomed in Marseille (France) for the 6th Transnational Event by ACR+. This event, supported by the CERV programme, is spearheaded by the Municipality of Gazzo in Italy, with a diverse consortium of partners from Province of Padua (Italy), Sibenik (Croatia), Mioveni (Romania), UBBSLA (Bulgaria), ACR+ (Belgium), ALDA (France), and FAMSI. It was rich with activities on environmental issues as well as youth participation and role.

Firstly, the consortium had the pleasure to participate in the ACR+ General Assembly, focusing on circular economy principles and promoting environmental sustainability. An highlight worth mentioning is the keynote speech of Mr. Janez Potočnik, Co-Chair of the UNEP International Resource Panel, who focused on the centrality of an effective and sustainable resource management to ensure future sustainability. On top of that, the ACR+ General Assembly also featured the prestigious European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) Awards Ceremony, recognising outstanding initiatives from the 2023 campaign. Various examples of young people and communities engaging in innovative practices to raise awareness and promote environmental sustainability and consciousness.

During the second-day of the event, participants had the opportunity to visit Le Talus, a communal garden in Marseille that engages disadvantaged youth in sustainable practices. Thanks to their volunteers, the partners learned about innovative urban agriculture practices and tricks, as well various initiatives that aim at including disadvantaged youth. 

The E-VOICE project was presented, showcasing its objectives and achievements in promoting environmental awareness among youth and fostering community resilience across Europe.

This was also the occasion to meet the Secretary General of the Youth Express Network, Ekrem Sahin, who also shared insights, emphasising the role of youth in driving societal change and the way his organisations foster such changes. The partners had the opportunity to exchange good practices and highlight the E-VOICE project’s commitment to fostering resilient communities post-COVID-19.

Moreover, another essential part of the project  is the E-VOICE survey, an anonymous questionnaire designed to assess the pandemic’s impact across educational, behavioural, mental health, and employment domains. We invite anyone over the age 15 and living in Europe to contribute as this would help gather citizen engagement, particularly among young people, in post-COVID-19 decision-making processes. The results will then be processed by the University of Padua The survey is available in multiple languages, including English, Italian, French, Spanish, Croatian, Bulgarian, and German, and takes only 3 minutes to complete.

Stay tuned for more updates on the final conference of the E-VOICE project, scheduled for October in Padua, Italy. This event will showcase our collective achievements and set the stage for future initiatives in promoting sustainability and youth empowerment across Europe.

Join us in shaping a sustainable future and stay connected for more exciting developments from the E-VOICE project!