UNICEF supports young people in developing innovative solutions for Climate and water sustainability in Greece

ΑΤΗΕΝΣ, 27 March, 2024 - The "1st Climate Innovation Workshop", organized by the UNICEF Greece Country Office, was successfully concluded between 20-22 March, at Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, in collaboration with the Deputy Mayor of Climate Governance and Social Economy of the Municipality of Athens.

During the three-day interactive workshop, young people aged 15-24 years old from the Attica region discussed the challenges of climate change and proposed solutions to address environmental issues in their community. The coordination was organized by UNICEF, based on the internationally recognized UPSHIFT Programme, which is implemented in 43 countries and now in Greece for the first time, aiming to empower young people through skills development, social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Ghassan Khalil, UNICEF Representative in Greece, stated: “Young people today are concerned about the issue of climate change. Existing challenges and daily experiences motivate them to take the lead and propose solutions, taking their present as well as their future into their own hands. UNICEF continues to actively support young people to develop key skills such as problem solving, creativity, collaboration, leadership and communication skills, preparing them to face climate challenges as entrepreneurs and global citizens."

Specifically, under the guidance of an experienced trainer, participants discussed in groups and developed business proposals related to:

• the construction of a theme park on the banks of the Podoniftis River
• the use of ecological methods of rainwater management in urban areas
•  the reduction of damage caused by floods and
•  the design of an application for recycling on the beaches of Attica.

Afterwards, the young people presented their ideas to a group of representatives from the private and public sector, consisting of Nikos Chrysogelos, Deputy Mayor of Climate Governance and Social Economy, Maria Demopoulou, Head of Environmental Education at the 1^st Department of Environmental Education, Evi Kakaroucha, Member of the Environmental Education Laboratory of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Marina Drimalytou, Private Partnerships Manager of the UNICEF Greece Country Office.

The most innovative and creative ideas were selected by the jury and will be presented by the Workshop participants at the Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit, in the framework of the 9th Our Ocean Conference that will take place in Athens on 15-17 April 2024.

The UNICEF Office in Greece will soon announce the next Climate Innovation Workshop.