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TunisiaFrom awareness to action: engaging youth in the green economy and climate action
On 11 March 2024, Sara stands in front of a landfill in Kolonia District in the city of Gjakova, Kosovo*. Seventeen-year-olds Rea Rudi and Sara Kumova and Poema Bobi, 18, live in Gjakova, close to Kolonia neighbourhood which is home to predominantly Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community residents. They are a part of Youth4Clean, a group of teenagers advocating to local authorities for better waste management including less frequent burning of the waste and how to keep children’s health safe.
Children and their families across the Europe and Central Asia region face unique climate threats. Across the Western Balkans, for example, 99 per cent of children are exposed to excessive levels of ambient air pollution. In response, UNICEF is currently implementing an important project funded by SIDA on air pollution.
Through this programme, UNICEF and the Swedish Environment Protection Agency are aiming to improve air quality through increasing capacities of governments for air quality governance and data (SwEPA), strengthening the climate change education system, youth engagement and advocacy for child and youth sensitive Air Quality Policies, while increasing youth employability and eco-innovations.
