HOMO CLIMATICUM: THE BALKANS 2026; Stories for Change – from imagination to climate action

What happens when we invite young people not only to learn about climate change, but to imagine it, write about it and tell their own stories?
Over the past two years, the STORY project has brought together young people, youth workers and organisations from across the Western Balkans to explore climate change through storytelling, creative writing and art.

On 15 October, we invite you to join us online and discover the results of this journey – and, more importantly, explore how they can travel further.

Homo Climaticum: The Balkans 2026

A regional collection of climate fiction stories and poems that brings together young voices and perspectives on climate change and possible futures.

The regional climate fiction call received more than 130 stories and poems, demonstrating a strong interest in using storytelling to reflect on climate change and how it is already shaping everyday life across the region.

Stories for Change

An educational manual developed to complement Homo Climaticum: The Balkan 2026 and help others use storytelling, creative writing and climate fiction in their own work.

Designed for youth workers, educators, teachers and youth organisations, the manual shares practical methods, experiences and lessons learned through activities implemented across the Western Balkans. Rather than providing a strict methodology, it is intended as a flexible tool that can be adapted to different groups, contexts and needs.

During the event, we will:

• introduce Homo Climaticum: The Balkans 2026 and the stories behind the regional initiative;
• share what we learned from working with young people through climate fiction, storytelling and creative writing;
• present Stories for Change and practical ways of using it in youth work and climate education;
• explore why imagination, emotions and personal expression matter when we talk about climate change;
• discuss how these stories and methods can travel further – into youth organisations, schools, communities and new projects.

Our experience through STORY showed us that storytelling can make climate issues more personal, understandable and meaningful. When young people are given space to imagine and create, they move from simply learning about climate problems towards expressing their own ideas, imagining alternatives and seeing themselves as part of change.

• 15 October 2026, 10:00-11:30 AM (CET)
• Online via Zoom
• Language: English
• Participation is free

The event is open to youth workers, educators, teachers, youth and environmental organisations, NGOs, networks and everyone interested in climate education, storytelling and creative approaches to working with young people.

Register here: https://forms.gle/DiWZfxQPLzBho9k99  

Registered participants will receive the Zoom link by email.

Come for the stories. Leave with ideas for creating new ones.

The event is organized as part of the project "THE STORY OF THE 1.5°C LIMIT – Solutions and storytelling of youth from Western Balkan" and is funded by the European Union.