Zelena akcija/Friends of the Earth Croatia is happy to invite you to apply for the regional event Balkan Youth Climate Movement gathering, to be held from July 23rd until July 28th 2014 in the Solar Academy on the Island of Šolta.
The Solar Academy is a regional educational centre for sustainable energy, which Zelena akcija is developing in an ex-military facility “Vela straža” on the Island of Šolta, near Split. The level of comfort is similar to the hostel accommodation (more information will be sent to selected participants). Food will be vegetarian. Participants’ attendance will be fully funded by the event organizers (transport, accommodation and food from July 23rd – July 28th 2014).
Purpose of the event
We are already witnessing the dangerous consequences of climate change in Europe - rising sea levels threatening our coastlines, droughts in Mediterranian and Balkan regions, terrible floods and ice storms in Central Europe… The scientists confirmed in their latest IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report with absolute certainty that humans are not only driving, but accelerating climate change. The urgency is clear.
The South-Eastern Europe (SEE) region is facing many struggles from dirty coal fired projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, to shale gas explorations in Romania and Ukraine. The resistance is growing, people are starting to connect the current economic crisis to the unsustainability of our system, which is being fueled by private interests and big fossil fuel businesses who are having overbearing power over decision makers.
But it is in this region that climate change is still poorly understood by the general public. The increasing extreme weather events in Europe are bringing climate change back to the agenda, and this is something we need to push further.
The youth in this region are a huge part of these struggles and can be the drivers of real change. To push the climate issue into the public narrative, to educate people in South-Eastern Europe on the topic of climate science and political processes linked to climate change, and to mobilise for the UN climate negotiations in Paris in 2015 where a new global binding treaty is expected to be adopted, we need a regional movement. A joint communications and skill-sharing platform. We need a cross-border connection between young people and youth groups to strengthen our capacities and increase public pressure for action on climate change.
Therefore, Zelena akcija/Friends of the Earth Croatia is organising a regional event named Balkan Youth Climate Movement gathering.
Bringing together 50 young people from 13 SEE countries, the camp will entail:
Most sessions will be delivered by experts from Croatia and the SEE region, but also from global environmental and youth climate justice networks. Participants will also be asked to contribute to the agenda by sharing their skills.
Who can apply and how
We are looking for 50 participants aged 18-30 from the following countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.
The official language of the event will be English.
To apply for the event, please fill in this google registration form by June 1st! - DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL JUNE 9TH!
Shortly after registrations close (on June 9th), a programme and detailed information about the event will be sent to selected participants.
For any questions, please contact:
Maruška Mileta - maruska@zelena-akcija.hr
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