From June 22 to 29, the Polish town of Pniewy near Poznan became a hub for young climate advocates during the PEACE for Nature program, a vital initiative aimed at enhancing youth engagement in climate activism within the Service Civil International (SCI) movement. This international gathering equipped participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle climate issues and advocate for climate justice.

The PEACE for Nature program focuses on empowering young people to become effective climate activists, both locally and globally. Through hands-on training, participants delved into key concepts such as climate justice and civic engagement, learning how to adapt their activism to the unique contexts of their respective regions. They recognized that climate justice is not solely an environmental issue; it also encompasses critical social, economic, and political dimensions.

As part of the program, participants enjoyed a field visit to Poznan, hosted by ZaZieleń Poznań, where they learned about local advocacy efforts to protect green spaces in the city. Representatives from ZaZieleń shared their initiatives on maintaining the urban green cover and their involvement in city discussions related to environmental issues and park conservation.

The program featured a special session with climate activist Jadwiga Klata, who shared her experiences in climate activism in Poland. Klata discussed the current climate context in the country and her efforts to raise awareness about pressing climate issues, inspiring participants with her dedication to advocacy.

For many participants, the training served as an introduction to the complexities of climate activism, emphasising the urgency of cross-border collaboration. “The concept of activism in my mind has changed in a healthy way,” shared one participant. Another added, “Coming from very different countries, we realised that activism needs to be adapted to each specific reality.”

The program highlighted the intrinsic connection between civic engagement and activism, demonstrating how active participation in civil society can create tangible change on pressing issues like climate change and social justice. Participants were particularly moved by the personal stories shared, which illustrated the vast differences in challenges faced across different countries, from access to basic resources to debates on infrastructure projects.

This exchange of experiences helped participants understand the diversity and adaptability of activism, leaving them with practical tools to engage others and deepen their roles as activists. The project PEACE for Nature is Supported by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.