In May 2023, youth workers from Germany took part in the Erasmus+ training course Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development in Island Communities, held on Guadeloupe Island. This international project brought together young people from different European countries and the Caribbean to explore environmental challenges and develop practical solutions through dialogue, teamwork, and learning by doing. The training was not only about nature—it was also about how youth participation, local identity, and civic responsibility can support sustainable development in every part of the world. The location itself, surrounded by ocean and nature, helped create a deep emotional connection to the topics discussed. For the German team, representing the NGO Copernicus Berlin, the project became a turning point in how they saw civic engagement in their own country.
In Germany, young people live in a democratic society where they have many rights and freedoms. Still, in May 2023, many youth workers noticed a growing distance between young people and formal civic structures. Although the tools for engagement existed—like youth councils, public consultations, and voting—many young people felt that their voices were not truly heard. Especially in urban areas like Berlin, where social and cultural diversity is high, young people from migrant or low-income backgrounds felt excluded from public life. They often believed that politics and local decision-making were too complicated, too far away, or not meant for people like them.
The digital world also brought new challenges. Misinformation, frustration with climate inaction, and political polarization led some young people to lose trust in institutions. In schools, civic education was present but often too theoretical. Many students were taught how democracy works in theory but had no real chance to practice civic participation in their own neighborhoods. At the same time, Germany was facing serious environmental questions—such as how to transition to green energy, how to create more sustainable cities, and how to include all citizens in shaping the future. But the youth voice in these discussions was still too quiet.
The training course in Guadeloupe opened the German team’s eyes to different ways of involving young people in shaping their communities. They were especially inspired by how local organizations on the island connected environmental topics with civic action. Young people were not just learning about climate change—they were organizing beach clean-ups, building urban gardens, and speaking at town meetings. Even with limited resources, they played active roles in their communities. It became clear that civic engagement doesn’t have to be formal or complicated—it can start with simple acts that bring people together and make them feel responsible for their surroundings.
The international exchange of ideas was also powerful. Youth workers from countries with very different political systems shared their strategies for activating young people. These stories reminded the German participants how lucky they were to have democratic tools available—and how important it was to use them well. It also helped them see that civic engagement and sustainability are deeply connected. When young people are invited to shape environmental projects, they learn more than just how to protect nature—they learn how to participate in society.
After returning to Berlin, the Copernicus Berlin team created a new initiative called Local Voices Berlin. The goal was to strengthen civic engagement among young people by connecting it with concrete local issues—especially environmental and social ones. The team wanted to show that civic action could be creative, practical, and deeply connected to the everyday lives of young citizens.
The project began by working with schools, youth centers, and neighborhood groups in Berlin. Instead of talking about politics in abstract terms, Local Voices Berlin invited young people to identify challenges in their neighborhoods—such as dirty streets, lack of green areas, or poor recycling habits—and then helped them design small actions to improve the situation. Through workshops and mentoring, young people learned how to speak at local meetings, create petitions, organize clean-up campaigns, and write open letters to decision-makers. The message was simple: your voice matters, and you have the right to use it.
One of the most successful actions was a youth-led campaign to improve waste management in a Berlin district. Participants first interviewed local residents and shop owners to understand their views. Then they organized a neighborhood day with recycling games, information stands, and a creative corner where children could paint their “green dreams” for the future. The event attracted attention from local politicians, who agreed to meet with the youth group and discuss long-term solutions. This moment of recognition was very important. It showed the young participants that their actions had real value and that engagement could lead to change.
The impact of Local Voices Berlin went beyond one district. It helped change how civic education was practiced in the schools involved. Teachers began using local examples and youth-led projects as part of their lessons. Some schools started inviting local leaders to speak with students and support their ideas. Youth centers saw more participation in their activities, and new partnerships were built between civil society and public institutions.
Most importantly, the project helped young people reconnect with the idea of citizenship. Many participants said they had never imagined being able to influence their community. Now they felt more confident to speak out, organize, and take part in civic life. For some, this experience even opened doors to future studies or jobs related to social work, politics, or sustainability.
Copernicus Berlin plans to continue and expand the project, especially in areas with lower youth participation. The team is now developing a toolkit that can help other organizations use the Local Voices method in different parts of Germany or even in other countries. They believe that civic engagement should not be a luxury—it should be part of every young person’s experience growing up.
The experience in Guadeloupe showed the German team how deeply connected the personal, the local, and the global really are. Sustainable development, environmental care, and active citizenship are not separate paths—they all grow from the same roots: responsibility, cooperation, and vision. Youth are not the leaders of tomorrow—they are already leading today, in ways big and small.
By giving young people real opportunities to shape their environment, societies become more just, more resilient, and more hopeful. Civic engagement is not about following rules—it is about building a shared future. And when young people believe in their power to change things, everything becomes possible.