The main objective of the "EYES for Climate" project is to empower young people to become active participants in mitigating climate change, specifically in marginalized or suburban urban areas. The project aims to facilitate a shift from passive awareness to active engagement in addressing climate-related challenges. The specific objectives are: 1) To strengthen the capacity and capabilities of partner organizations, enabling them to effectively engage youth in marginalized and suburban areas. 2) To increase youth knowledge and skills concerning the effects of climate change in urban regions by creating a framework for pilot training on environmental topics relevant to these areas. 3) To promote the development of innovative neighborhood practices that address the impacts of climate change, fostering community-driven solutions and resilience.
The "EYES for Climate" project was initiated to address critical gaps in youth engagement with climate action, particularly in marginalized urban areas such as Maribor (Slovenia), Turin (Italy), and Brussels (Belgium). Participating organizations identified the need to foster stronger international partnerships for collaborative projects focused on environmental protection in cities. These organizations also sought to enhance their expertise by testing innovative methodologies like the World Café and digital tools such as Mentimeter. The project aimed to equip youth organizations with tools to engage young people meaningfully in climate action. For the target groups, the project addressed a lack of opportunities for environmental engagement and the pressing need for social inclusion among youth from disadvantaged urban areas. Many young people face limited active citizenship skills, insufficient understanding of climate change effects, and little experience with participatory processes. Their capacity to discuss and find solutions to urban climate vulnerabilities remains underdeveloped. This project would have also enhanced the international and local development of all partners involved.