Young people will live longest with the consequences of Europe’s decisions about nature, yet their voices are still too often missing from the table. Across the continent, a new generation is seeking a greater say in those decisions — and turning its ambition for nature recovery into tangible action.
A voice in nature’s future
Young people will live longest with the choices made today about the future of nature — choices that will help determine whether it recovers or continues to decline. Yet all too often they remain excluded from processes shaping this future, including decisions about wildlife and coexistence. With a thriving natural world essential for climate resilience, human health and the wellbeing of future generations, giving young people a meaningful voice is also a matter of intergenerational justice.
One example came in 2023, when the European Commission proposed to downgrade the wolf’s protection status under the Bern Convention. European environmental youth organisations, including the European Young Rewilders, raised concerns about the proposal and called for young people to have a greater say in decisions affecting European nature.
This is about more than any single decision or species: it’s about ensuring young people have a meaningful role in shaping how Europe responds to the challenges facing nature. This is our generation’s future too, and we want to have a say in shaping it. We want science-based, modern, ethical and ambitious choices for nature and human-wildlife coexistence.
Giving young people a seat at the table
Against this backdrop, 25 young people from 17 European countries came together in Strasbourg on September 20 for a five-day study session focused on the Bern Convention and the role of young people in European nature policy.
The event was organised by the European Young Rewilders Network, Youth and Environment Europe and the EUROPARC Youth Council, in collaboration with the Youth Department of the Council of Europe. It offered participants an opportunity not only to learn about the Convention and its decision-making processes, but also to explore how they can actively shape the future of nature conservation and restoration in Europe.
Participants came from across Europe — from Ireland and Italy to Portugal and Azerbaijan — bringing expertise spanning ecology, animal science, law, policy, communications and fundraising. Their different cultural and professional backgrounds enriched the discussions and demonstrated the breadth of knowledge and experience young people can contribute to nature conservation.
A shared ambition for nature
The ambition was shared from the outset: Europe needs to put nature back on a path to recovery.
“We need to rewild and restore intact, functioning ecosystems across Europe at scale,” says Oisín Ó Néill, a European Young Rewilders member from Ireland who attended. “Not only to reverse decades of ecosystem degradation, but also to address the exploitative pressures that continue to damage many of our continent’s landscapes and ecosystems.”
Over the course of the week, participants took part in interactive workshops, practical exercises and discussions exploring the opportunities and challenges of European nature policy. One of the highlights was a mock Standing Committee meeting, recreating the 2017 case of the Vjosa River. Participants took on the roles of different Parties and Observers to the Convention, experiencing first-hand the complexity of international environmental discussions. Time spent indoors was complemented by an excursion to the Robertsau Nature Reserve, offering a reminder of the nature these discussions ultimately seek to protect.
From learning to action
The week in Strasbourg was not only about learning. It was also about sharing experiences, generating new ideas and turning knowledge into action.
“By learning about our shared challenges, aims and existing opportunities — and by meeting and hearing from pioneering young people whose actions have meaningful results — we are all spurred to action,” says Bianka Szakál, a member of the EUROPARC Youth Council. “I think we are all leaving this event inspired by new ideas.”
Participants collectively developed a booklet capturing the key lessons and ideas emerging from the session, alongside personal action plans and joint follow-up steps. These tools are intended to help carry the momentum beyond Strasbourg and strengthen youth participation in European nature policy.
Making participation meaningful
For many participants, the experience also challenged conventional ideas about what meaningful youth participation looks like. Young people are still too often invited to participate symbolically — as a visible presence or a source of enthusiasm — without being given meaningful influence over decisions.
There are practical barriers too. Rising living costs, limited funding and a lack of paid opportunities can prevent young professionals from contributing their skills over the long term, while relying on voluntary commitment alone is not sustainable.
Meaningful youth participation means more than consultation. It means giving young people genuine influence over decisions that determine whether wildlife and nature can recover, creating opportunities to lead, and trusting them with responsibility.
A generation ready to rewild Europe’s future
Across Europe, young people are already developing initiatives, building networks, advocating for nature and creating opportunities for themselves and their peers. Within the European Young Rewilders network, youth-led activities take place both online and on the ground, often driven by young people giving their time and expertise.
The young Europeans gathered in Strasbourg are part of a generation that has grown up amid accelerating climate and biodiversity crises. These experiences have shaped our awareness of environmental issues and inspired many of us to study, work and organise around nature. We not only bring enthusiasm, but also professional expertise and practical skills, and are already developing solutions to the challenges facing ecosystems and communities.
Shaping a wilder future
Ensuring this knowledge and experience has a place in decision-making is particularly important as Europe considers how to respond to a changing natural world. Wildlife populations have recovered in many parts of the continent after generations of decline. The return of species such as the wolf can create new challenges, but also demonstrates what is possible when nature is given space to recover.
The question is how Europe responds to this recovery. For young people who will live with the consequences of those choices for decades to come, having a meaningful role in shaping that response matters.
The participants in Strasbourg left with new knowledge, practical tools, fresh ambitions and a stronger network of peers and partners. They also left with a shared sense that they are part of something much bigger: a European movement working towards thriving habitats, abundant wildlife and a renewed relationship between people and nature.
Give us the opportunity
Young Europeans are not waiting for their turn. They are already building networks, responding to challenges and developing solutions for nature recovery.
Across Europe, young people are helping to shape a future where wildlife, landscapes and communities can thrive together. Giving them a meaningful role can help turn their knowledge, energy and ambition into action — and ensure this generation plays its part in shaping a wilder tomorrow.
