One week before the start of COP24, the Foundation for Nature and Mankind (FNH) and FORIM are putting the spotlight on the winners of the Climate Generation 2018 programme and launching registrations for its next session, which offers young people aged 15 to 35 years a path of commitment to become a real agent of change.
In two years, 63 projects supported, 200 young people awarded, €170,000 granted
The co-founders of the Climate Generation programme - the Foundation for Nature and Man created by Nicolas Hulot (FNH) and the Forum of International Solidarity Organizations on Migration Issues (FORIM) - set out to raise awareness among young people of the challenges of climate change and the inequalities that result from it, encourage them to become actors of solidarity and support them in the definition and implementation of their projects in France and abroad.
Saad, Floyd, Paul, Bulent, Lucie, Sory, and nearly 200 other young people between the ages of 15 and 35 from all walks of life have benefited from the support of the program since its inception two years ago. A total of 63 projects have been selected within the framework of Generation Climate and a global grant of nearly 170,000 euros has been awarded to young people with the same desire to change things. Proof that citizen commitment to fighting climate change can also rhyme with social, cultural or ethnic diversity.
Climate Change and Inequality Inspires Climate Generation Youth
Young people have a key role to play in the fight against climate change. After all, it is their future that is currently at stake. This is what young people have understood very well, and they have chosen to get involved by joining the Climate Generation programme; they have made the fight for the climate and for solidarity their battle horse. In two years, more than 200 young people have been able to carry out their projects thanks to the programme's three support mechanisms:
Through the "Agir en France" scheme aimed at young people who want to take action in the country, 39 actions were rewarded with nearly €38,000. Among the projects supported were that of Paul and Elsa, two students from Lille who have put the concept of circular economy at the heart of university campuses to solve the very concrete problem of student moves.
Levent and Bulent, the other winners, have decided to create a citizen's platform that gives consumers the opportunity to act individually and collectively to encourage brands to adopt more ethical and sustainable practices.
The "Acting Internationally" scheme, open to young people who are carrying out a project to fight climate change and international solidarity abroad, has made it possible to support 13 projects with funding of more than €113,000. Among them: Saad a and its photovoltaic installation project in Africa, in places where, in the absence of an electricity grid, no connection is possible, at the risk of endangering the health of some inhabitants. Alexandre, for his part, has been able to set up workshops for the self-building of solar cookers and dryers in Chile, enabling, among other things, isolated and destitute families to preserve a more varied and healthy food supply all year round, with the result that there are fewer problems of intoxication and undernourishment.
Finally, the "Acting in Civic Service" scheme, which for its part offers the possibility of carrying out its project within the framework of a six-month civic service mission, in France and/or internationally, has rewarded 11 mission projects financed to the tune of 16,500€. Lucie, on a civic service mission in Senegal, decided to create a web series on climate-displaced people. In front of the camera, the testimonies make the climatic emergency and the current crisis in the reception of migrants an undeniable reality.
2500 Young people who have been aware of socio-environmental issues since the creation of the programme
In its two years of existence, the Climate Generation programme has supported 63 projects that have been made possible thanks to funding of €170,000. In addition, thanks to the 94 awareness-raising and support activities that the Climate Generation program has enabled throughout the world in 2017 and 2018, almost 2,500 young people have been made aware of socio-environmental issues. This is enough to emulate and inspire many other young people who are determined to become actors of change.
"The support of the Climate Generation program has provided credibility and financial support for the implementation of our actions.says Laura Gauvrit, co-founder of Collectif Démarqué. Génération Climat has led to the perpetuation of the Collective. We have thus been able to carry out several of our planned actions with serenity, and we plan to carry out new ones during 2018. »
"Through our project, I've noticed that meeting all these people with different profiles has made a big impression on me, explains Salomé Cazès of the association Climat all concerned. Generation Climate has allowed me today to consider a stronger commitment and more projects related to the environment for specific audiences such as people with disabilities. »
To participate in the next jury session, 15-35 year olds can register now and until January 31, 2019 on www.generation-climat.org
