Across Europe, young people are highly aware of the urgency of environmental challenges, yet they face significant barriers in transforming awareness into meaningful community action. According to Eurostat, the EU-27 generated an average of 511 kg of municipal waste per person in 2023, with striking inequalities in how this waste is managed. While Germany (601 kg per capita; ~70% recycled) and Slovakia (472 kg per capita; 60% recycled) have made significant progress, countries like Greece (519 kg per capita; 17% recycled) and Serbia (467 kg per capita; 2–15% recycled) lag far behind, and places such as North Macedonia (467 kg per capita; underdeveloped recycling infrastructure) still lack developed systems. These disparities show that the environmental crisis is shared across borders, but the capacity to respond remains uneven. For young people, this creates a knowledge–action gap: they care deeply about sustainability but are rarely given the tools, spaces, or institutional trust needed to implement solutions in their own communities. Applicant Organisation: -aiforia – ecoculture e.V. (Freiburg, Germany) Freiburg, a model of sustainable living, showcases how strong infrastructure and civic engagement can yield top recycling results. In 2023, Germany generated 601 kg of municipal waste per capita, recycling ~70% in 2020. Freiburg offers a powerful example for the Green Futures consortium. Partner Organisations: -Youth Develop Greece (Nea Kallikratia, Greece) In 2023, Greece produced 519 kg of waste per capita, but only 17% was recycled in 2022. Coastal towns like Nea Kallikratia face added pressure from marine litter and tourism, calling for urgent youth-led waste reduction and clean-up efforts. -Citizens’ Association “New Rays” (Skopje, North Macedonia) North Macedonia saw 467 kg of waste per capita in 2020, with minimal recycling infrastructure. In Skopje, youth must be empowered to raise recycling awareness and push for better waste systems. -Take Action for the SDGs (Lyubenovo, Bulgaria) Bulgaria generated 488 kg of waste per capita in 2023. Low recycling reflects coal dependency and weak local systems. In rural Lyubenovo, youth engagement in renewables and sustainable farming is key for a greener future. -EKOLOSKO UDRUZENJE ZA ZASTITU I UNAPREDJENE ZIVOTNE SREDINE (Mladenovac/Belgrade, Serbia) Serbia’s 2020 waste rate was 467 kg per capita, with official recycling at 15.45%, but real household recycling closer to 2%. Youth-led initiatives are vital to rebuild trust and drive action beyond official figures. -K.A.B.A. Slovensko (Martin, Slovakia) In 2023, Slovakia generated 472 kg of waste per capita, recycling 60% in 2022. Though a top performer, urbanisation threatens biodiversity. Youth action is needed to balance development with conservation in Carpathian regions. The future needs of young people are clear: they require structured opportunities to become drivers of change rather than passive observers. In countries like Greece and Bulgaria, where infrastructure is weak, youth should gain tools and skills to tackle coastal pollution, coal dependency, and rural waste challenges. In North Macedonia and Serbia, where statistics and realities diverge, youth need credibility and platforms to lead recycling campaigns and advocate for transparent policy. Even in higher-performing countries such as Germany and Slovakia, young people face new challenges like biodiversity loss and land take, requiring them to balance urban development with ecological protection. Across all six partner countries, young people need stronger competences in project management, intercultural dialogue, leadership, and digital communication to ensure their environmental activism is impactful and sustainable. The Green Futures project responds to pressing environmental challenges through transnational learning and local youth action, inspired by Freiburg’s model.