Generation Climate Europe (GCE) is a coalition of youth-led networks at the European level that works to make a difference with climate and environmental issues. The organization’s mission is “uniting European youth networks; GCE creates a platform for youth to advocate for a just and green transition in Europe.” The organization’s work is focused on system change and institutional relations. It aims to facilitate internal coordination and collaboration between its Member Organizations, empower young people to meaningfully engage in European Union decision-making processes, and advocate for more decisive action on environmental and climate issues in the European Union that proactively and regularly includes the voices of young people.
Three hundred eighty-one organizations work under GCE. Some of these organizations include International Young Naturefriends, the Erasmus Student Network, the European Students’ Union, and the Young European Federalists. Some of the specific activities the GCE has organized include the creation of annual Youth Climate Dialogues, the creation of a manifesto for an intergenerationally just post-growth European economy in May 2023, and the creation of a report in October 2022 that mapped and analyzed the state of youth engagement in the implementation of the EU’s Just Transition mechanism. The youth dialogues created by GCE allow young Europeans to discuss climate policy issues with Environmental Ministers from EU countries. GCE has also increased its presence at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s annual Conference of the Parties (COP), has engaged in multiple on-site and virtual side events at the COP, and has contributed to statements published by European Youth NGOs.
Notably, in December 2023, GCE and Transparency International EU also joined the European Economic and Social Committee’s (EESC) Liaison Group. The EESC is a network of European civil society organizations that works to shape EU laws by issuing opinions on EU issues to the European Commission. It also works to create a bridge between European citizens and EU decision-making institutions.
The GCE is funded by external stakeholders, such as EU decision-makers and the NGOs that comprise it, as well as donations from the public. GCE’s organization comprises board members, a Communications Team, an Operations Team, a Membership, Partnerships, and Fundraising Team, and representatives from Member Organizations. 28 employees comprise the Communications Team, Operations Team, and Membership, Partnerships, and Fundraising Team. GCE also has eight working groups: a biodiversity working group, a circular economy working group, a clean mobility working group, an energy and climate justice working group, European Parliament elections working group, an education, and skills working group, an institutional relations program, and a systems change program.
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Image Source: https://gceurope.org/staging/5228/
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard EU Manager Brittany Demogenes
Name and Address of Organization: Generation Climate Europe; Researchpark, Haasrode-Leuven 1240, Interleuvenlaan 33, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
Name and Email Address of Director: Agata Meysner; agata.meysner@gceurope.org