Call to Action of the Road to Resilience for Europe and Central Asia’s Children and Youth
The Call to Action of the Road to Resilience for Europe and Central Asia’s Children and Youth, presented at the 2024 Europe and Central Asia Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, highlights the need for youth-centered DRR policies to address the growing climate risks facing younger generations. With recent climate-induced disasters—such as floods and heatwaves—disrupting communities across the region, this call emphasizes that children and youth are disproportionately affected by climate hazards, making their involvement in policy crucial. Developed through consultations with over 2,700 young people from 20 countries, this call reflects the urgent need for targeted policies that address youth-specific vulnerabilities. It advocates for integrating children and youth in DRR and climate policy processes to build a safer, more resilient future.
This Call to Action sets out 15 key recommendations, urging governments to dedicate resources to youth-led DRR initiatives, form advisory councils, and integrate youth in climate policy decision-making. Specific actions include allocating 10% of DRR budgets to youth-driven projects, establishing scholarships, setting up child- and youth-led climate adaptation hubs, and incorporating DRR and climate resilience education into school curricula. Additionally, it calls for youth participation in the Santiago Network for loss and damage, the creation of international fellowships, and a global youth DRR fund. Together, these steps aim to empower the region’s youth with leadership roles and resources, fostering a generation equipped to address and adapt to evolving climate challenges.
