Climate change is reshaping life across the Mediterranean. Young people are stepping up, turning care into action, and leading local solutions in Italy, Tunisia, and Egypt to build a sustainable and resilient future.
Climate change is no longer a distant threat. Across the Mediterranean, it is affecting daily life: hotter summers, scarce water, polluted air, and disappearing natural spaces. Young people feel these impacts most, because this is the world they will grow up in. Many of them are realizing that resilience alone is not enough—they are finding new, flexible ways to address complex environmental challenges. This growing awareness is pushing youth to take action and play a central role in shaping a sustainable future.
Youth taking the lead
Young people are increasingly involved in addressing environmental challenges in their communities. They bring energy, creativity, and new ideas, combining ecological action with fairness, participation, and community well-being.
This engagement is supported by data: according to Flash Eurobarometer 502, 58% of young people participated in at least one youth organisation or initiative in the past year. Young people are not passive victims of climate change—they are active agents of transformation, helping to build a more sustainable and inclusive society.
Different challenges, shared goals
Although the Mediterranean shares a common sea and future, local realities differ, shaping how young people can act. In Italy, heatwaves and wildfires pose major threats, with 81% of Italians considering climate change an emergency. In Tunisia, water scarcity, pollution, and a shrinking civic space make youth engagement crucial. In Egypt, desertification, water stress, and extreme weather events require active youth participation to strengthen local adaptation.
Despite these differences, young people across the region share a common goal: protecting their environment and building a sustainable future. This is why YouthCARE4planet supports youth in multiple territories, connecting experiences and fostering cross-border learning.
This article sets the stage for a series of stories that will explore environmental challenges and youth initiatives in each country and region. Future articles will highlight how youth-led projects in Italy, Tunisia, and Egypt address local challenges, showing how young people are turning care into action, implementing local solutions, and contributing to a shared Mediterranean vision for sustainability. Through these stories, YouthCARE4planet demonstrates that youth action can transform awareness into real impact, creating a more caring, fair, and sustainable Mediterranean for everyone.
Last Update
22/12/2025
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