Want to play your part in climate action? Get inspired by our young Pact Ambassadors!

Young people today will be most impacted by climate change. But with their knowledge, creativity and fresh ideas, they’re already shaping solutions, keeping climate change on the agenda, and driving change for a better future.

Each August, International Youth Day is a reminder of the vital role young people play in building a sustainable future.

This summer has also reminded us of the challenges we face amidst the climate crisis: Southern Europe has seen its worst wildfires for decades. And, by mid-August, nearly 10,000 km2 of land had burned across the EU – almost three times the average from 2006 to 2024.

Europe’s climate is getting warmer and the impacts are becoming clearer. We must act now.

If you’re a young European looking to make the future greener or you’re working with youth, keep reading. Discover how the EU supports you, get inspired by our young Climate Pact Ambassadors, and see how you too can lead the way.

Making sure policy works for young people

Young people are shaping Europe’s future – and the EU is working to make sure their voices are heard. But how does it actually happen?

Through annual Youth Policy Dialogues and a President’s Youth Advisory Board, the new European Commission is listening to young voices more than ever:

Youth Policy Dialogues give young people the chance to share ideas directly with European Commissioners;
the President’s Youth Advisory Board brings together young representatives of each EU country to advise on EU policies;
and with the European Commission Youth Check, new policies are reviewed to make sure they’re fair on young people now and in years to come.

With their help, climate action is staying firmly at the top of the political agenda. But that’s not all. Within the Pact, almost 300 young Ambassadors are informing, inspiring and supporting climate policy and action at the local and national level in 27 EU countries.

“We are the ones who will live with today’s choices”

One of these young Climate Pact Ambassadors is Barbora Bruskova from Slovakia. We spoke to Barbora to learn from her experiences and get her advice for other young people trying to make an impact.

“Look at your own habits or your community and change one thing at a time.”
Barbora Bruskova, European Climate Pact Ambassador, on her climate initiatives

“We are the ones who will live with the results of today’s choices,” Barbora says.

“Through my eco-company STROOI Slovensko, I work on reducing single-use plastics by offering natural compostable straws and other products, mostly for gastronomy.”

“It began with a small idea – finding a solution that actually works – and grew into a way of showing that sustainability can be part of everyday business,” she explains.

Barbora notes that young people often see things in a practical, straightforward way, enabling them to adapt. She also feels it is important to be patient.

“You don’t need a huge project; look at your own habits or your community and change one thing at a time,” she advises.

“For me, the challenge was convincing businesses that eco-products are not only ‘nice to have’, but also functional. It took patience, but small wins built trust.”

“Start small and local”

Another young Pact Ambassador is Danijel Bačan from Croatia, who is leading climate initiatives in cooperation with schools and local communities.

“It is crucial for young people to engage in climate action because they will live with the consequences of today’s decisions. Active participation also empowers them to shape a more sustainable future.”
Danijel Bačan, European Climate Pact Ambassador

“Recently, we planted a linden tree at our school,” Danijel tells us. “I started this initiative because I believe that climate action must begin at the local level and involve young people directly. Planting a tree is not only symbolic, but also a practical contribution to a healthier environment.”

Danijel’s top tip is to start small and local: “Join a school initiative, volunteer with an environmental association, or simply take part in an activity like planting trees, recycling, or energy-saving campaigns.”

“One barrier I personally faced was the lack of resources,” Danijel notes. “However, partnerships can help overcome these obstacles. The key is to stay motivated and understand that even small contributions matter.”

How the Pact can help you play your part

Feeling inspired? The European Climate Pact is here to make sure that you, like Barbora and Danijel, can help lead the way to a brighter future.

If you’re ready to take the plunge – or take your action to the next level – there are many ways you can do so:

Take individual action: follow Danijel’s advice by starting small – making simple, personal changes with a big impact.
Host a group activity: bring family and friends together to share ideas about climate action during a game night, walk or meal. If you’re trying to engage more young people, this is also a fun way to do so!
Get yourself to events in your area: all EU countries have National Youth Councils and most have youth climate organisations, so keep an eye on what’s happening near you.

As well as joining or organising activities in your local community, you can take your work even further by getting involved at national or European level:

Register to join our two-part series of youth leadership webinars. On 15 October, our youth climate leadership fundamentals webinar will explore how young people and their allies can drive positive action. Then on 6 November, we will take a deep dive into how youth are shaping climate policy and leading the way to COP30.
Keep an eye out for events on the Pact’s events page and the European Youth Portal.
Become a Pact Ambassador: we are taking applications for new Ambassadors until 31 October 2025! If you are up for the challenge, visit join the European Climate Pact community to find more information and apply.

You can also check out our other young Ambassadors or explore all Pact Ambassadors on our new Interactive Pact Map!

Details

Publication date: 29 August 2025
Author: Directorate-General for Climate Action