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Local Activities
Phase2
Our Local Activities Phase 2 aim is to enable at least 20 youths from each partner country to transform the knowledge and skills they have gained on sustainable energy into practical actions at the local level and to raise community awareness.
Virtual activities
YLGET Webinar – Skills & Mindset for a Green Energy Transition
On 25 March 2026, the YLGET partnership organized an online webinar focused on energy-independent communities and the role of young people in the green energy transition. The session brought together participants from Romania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye, creating a space for learning, exchange, and active dialogue.
The webinar featured Bozhil Kondev, expert in energy, climate change, and sustainability, who delivered an engaging and insightful presentation on community-driven approaches to sustainable energy.
During the session, the speaker shared concrete examples of local and national initiatives in Bulgaria, highlighting how volunteers, youth groups, and local communities are actively contributing to the transition towards sustainable energy systems. These examples illustrated the importance of collective action, civic engagement, and local leadership in addressing climate challenges.
Particular attention was given to inspiring practices from Burgas and Gabrovo, where local communities have taken proactive steps toward energy independence. In the case of Gabrovo Municipality, citizens, small companies, and local authorities have collaborated by pooling resources such as funding, land, knowledge, and time to develop an energy community. This collective effort demonstrates how shared responsibility and cooperation can lead to innovative and sustainable energy solutions at local level.
The webinar also included contributions from project partners, who presented youth-led advocacy initiatives, such as the “Thirsty for Solutions” campaign, showcasing how young people can raise awareness, influence public discourse, and promote sustainable practices within their communities.
Participants were actively involved throughout the session, contributing with questions, reflections, and interventions. Their engagement highlighted the growing interest and readiness of young people to take part in shaping a more sustainable future.
The webinar reinforced the core objective of the YLGET project: to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to become active contributors and leaders in the green energy transition.
Local Activities in Romania
From Idea to Action – Youth Workshop
On March 30, over 30 students from the Theological High School Târgu Jiu and the “Traian Vuia” Technical High School Târgu Jiu participated in the workshop “From Idea to Action”, facilitated by Asociatia Edulifelong at Zbor Hub, a space dedicated to youth engagement, collaboration, and innovation.
The session focused on climate action, sustainability, and youth advocacy, and was connected to the European Climate Pact / Pact2School Challenge as well as the YLGET – Youth Leading Green Energy Transition project. The workshop combined awareness-raising with a practical, project-based approach, encouraging students to move from understanding environmental challenges to proposing concrete solutions.
Following a short introduction and an inspiring case study, participants worked in teams as part of the “Convince the Mayor!” simulation. They identified key issues affecting their local community and developed advocacy-oriented solutions.
The proposed ideas addressed a range of relevant topics, including the lack of urban green spaces, the need to improve air quality and comfort in classrooms, strengthening collaboration between schools and NGOs, promoting sustainable transport options, and tackling the impact of fast fashion through textile recycling and responsible consumption.
The workshop provided students with an opportunity to develop critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills, while also encouraging active civic engagement. It demonstrated that young people can play an important role in shaping more sustainable communities by turning their ideas into actionable proposals.
By linking the session to the Pact2School Challenge, participants were also introduced to real opportunities to further develop and potentially implement their ideas, reinforcing the connection between education, advocacy, and real-world impact.
Through all these activities, the Romanian component of A5 provided a dynamic learning environment where young people discovered how creativity, digital tools and civic engagement can contribute to a more sustainable future. The combination of artistic expression, virtual reality, robotics and debate helped participants gain a deeper understanding of renewable energy and climate challenges, while strengthening essential competences such as problem-solving, collaboration and communication. Teachers, parents and community members expressed high appreciation for the innovative nature of the activities, recognising their value in preparing the next generation for the environmental and technological transformations ahead.
Local Activities in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, International Youth and Cultural Centre – Burgas (IYCC) conducted a training session with 9th-grade students from Vocational High School of Mechanical Engineering, Electrotechnics and Electronics – Burgas.​
The session, titled “Green Transition – Cases and Solutions”, aimed to strengthen students’ understanding of climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable practices, while encouraging them to reflect on their role in the green transition.
During the activity, participants were introduced to the YLGET project and its objectives, as well as to the project handbook—a practical educational resource developed within the project. The handbook is designed to support young people, youth workers, teachers, and other stakeholders, providing accessible information, best practices, and ideas for interactive learning, workshops, and project-based initiatives related to sustainable energy and climate action.
The training also included an interactive, case-based learning activity, where students explored real-life scenarios related to the green transition. Through group discussions and collaborative exercises, participants identified local challenges and potential solutions, actively engaging in dialogue and presenting their perspectives alongside their teachers.
This activity provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop critical thinking, communication skills, and environmental awareness, while fostering a sense of responsibility and active citizenship.
Advocacy and Public Speaking Training in Burgas
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An engaging training session on public speaking, debates, and argumentation was organized at the Youth International Center – Burgas.
The activity was implemented in collaboration with the Youth Ombudsman of Burgas and the Students’ Committee to Burgas Municipality (UKOB), bringing together young people in a dynamic and motivating learning environment.
The training focused on developing essential skills for effective communication and advocacy, including techniques for confident public speaking, building strong arguments, and engaging and influencing an audience. Participants also explored ways to overcome stage fright and express their ideas with clarity and confidence.
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In the second part of the session, participants took part in a simulation of a Municipal Council meeting, where they assumed the roles of local decision-makers. The central topic—the green energy transition—encouraged active debate, diverse perspectives, and well-structured arguments.
Through this experiential activity, young people demonstrated their ability to analyze complex issues, formulate informed opinions, and engage in constructive dialogue on topics related to sustainable development at local and regional levels.
This training contributed to strengthening participants’ advocacy, critical thinking, and civic engagement skills, empowering them to take an active role in shaping more sustainable communities.
Their engagement reflects the strong voice and vision that young people bring to the future of the green transition.
Role-Play Debate
The session involved two classes of students and focused on an interactive role-play debate titled “Construction of a Photovoltaic Power Plant in the City of Svetlina”. The activity aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of the green energy transition while strengthening their advocacy, communication, and critical thinking skills.
During the debate, students assumed the roles of various stakeholders, including local authorities, citizens, businesses, and environmental representatives. They were encouraged to analyze the topic from multiple perspectives and to present well-structured arguments in support of their positions.
The activity created a dynamic learning environment in which participants actively engaged in discussion, demonstrated openness to different viewpoints, and developed essential competences such as tolerance, active listening, flexibility, and decision-making.​​
Through this experiential approach, students explored key aspects of sustainable energy development and gained a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in implementing renewable energy solutions at local level. The debate format also supported the development of informed opinions and civic engagement, empowering young people to participate more actively in discussions related to their communities.
We would like to thank the management and teaching staff of PGMEE Burgas for their collaboration and for providing the opportunity to work with motivated and engaged students. Their involvement reflects the important role of education in fostering youth participation in the green energy transition.
The success of the Bulgarian local activities reflects IYCC’s commitment to empowering young people and strengthening environmental literacy in the region. By combining STEM education with creativity, civic dialogue and experiential learning, the activities helped youth gain a deeper understanding of renewable energy while also developing essential competencies that will support their future engagement in sustainability initiatives.
Local Activities in Türkiye
In Türkiye, a first local engagement activity was organized, by Sayeg-Der bringing together 62 young students for an introductory session on the project and its objectives.
During the session, participants were introduced to the YLGET initiative and the digital handbook developed within the project. The activity provided an opportunity to raise awareness about sustainable energy, climate change, and the role of young people in the green transition, while encouraging active participation and dialogue.
The high level of interest, curiosity, and motivation demonstrated by the students reaffirmed the importance of youth engagement as a key driver of sustainable transformation.
This activity also marked the transition toward Activity A8: Local Activities (Phase 2), which focuses on moving from knowledge acquisition to active youth involvement and leadership.
As part of this phase, a group of 20 volunteer students will be selected to participate in transnational virtual meetings and webinars alongside peers from Romania and Bulgaria.
As the Turkish activities progressed, they contributed not only to the personal development of participating youth but also to the wider goal of fostering informed, responsible and proactive young citizens who are ready to take part in shaping a sustainable future.