Barbara is a MA graduate in European Studies, from the University of Flensburg (Germany), passionate about the sea and engaged in the implementation of European cooperation projects in the field of regional development and maritime affairs. Barbara was an IVY volunteer at the EUCC-D, the Coastal Union Germany, involved in Interreg South Baltic projects dealing with the protection and management of coastal areas. Now she works in Brussels for the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions as Project Officer within the CPMR Intermediterranean and Atlantic Arc Commissions. She is also interested in the topics of urban development and culture and creative industries. 

You were an IVY volunteer before and you work for the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions now. What is territorial cooperation to you and how does territorial cooperation respond to current environmental challenges? 
Territorial cooperation is a key dimension to enhance a development that is sustainable, fair and forward-looking. I studied and worked in the border region between Germany and Denmark. Living in this place showed how important cooperation is for the development of these territories because when there are common challenges to face – and it is the case for environmental challenges – we need to join forces and find common solutions, both in small actions, like behavioural changes in our lives, and common actions that are planned at a higher level of governance.

You will speak at the workshop at the #EURegionsWeek “Youth Engagement for the European Green Deal and a Carbon-Neutral Society with Hydrogen” to share your experience engaging for a cleaner sea. What motivates you to take action?
I was born in Venice, a very fragile ecosystem under the pressure of mass tourism, raising levels of water and other environmental challenges. This pushed me to work for these kinds of territories and in particular coastal areas. Moreover, I think small actions can make a change and I think we need to be aware of the problems but also be conscious about the potential we have to change things, especially making our voices and interests heard at a higher level, where decisions are taken - and for that, we need to be visible.

At the workshop, you will inform about the event you organised as an IVY volunteer, Sea Beyond Borders. What have you learnt from this experience?
It was a great experience. I learnt not only how to organise an event in terms of planning, but it also showed me the importance of bringing people, organisations and stakeholders together to foster a dialogue. Sometimes we tend to work in silos without realising that other people - or territories – are facing similar challenges, so once again, cooperation is essential for the development of concrete actions. I also learnt that we need to raise awareness about environmental issues and involve different parts of society, and for this reason I involved in the event representatives of cooperation projects, local artists and young people and local citizens alike.

A sneak preview of the workshop: What are your expectations towards decision-makers as for the transition towards a more sustainable political agenda?
Decision-makers should take more into account the local and the regional territorial levels and the needs that are felt on the ground: citizens and local actors because they know the challenges and the place where they live, and young people because we are naturally more inclined to change - and we need to be empowered to drive the change.
 

Watch the full interview here

State of the Union address
‘Our Union will be stronger if it is more like our next generation: reflective, determined and caring. Grounded in values and bold in action.’ State of the Union address by President von der Leyen.

European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen gave her annual State of the Union address (SOTEU) to the European Parliament on 15 September 2021. The speech was a chance for von der Leyen to outline flagship initiatives which the Commission plans to undertake in the coming year and evaluate past and current challenges: vaccination and pandemic preparedness; recovery and the Next Generation EU; digitalization; care work; youth; taxation and tax evasion; the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus; the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Single Market; Afghanistan and a European Defence Union; partnerships in the international context, the future of the Western Balkans as well as the role of the rule of law and media freedom in the EU. A lot to reflect on for the months to come.

What’s in for us young people? President von der Leyen pointed at the need for creating more opportunities for Europe’s youth. In light of this, a new European programme will soon be launched: ALMA. This programme will support young Europeans to find temporary work experience abroad and boost the social market economy in Europe. She announced as well the year 2022 as the Year of European Youth, a year dedicated to letting young people lead the debate in the Conference on the Future of Europe (COFE). 

Concluding, Ms von der Leyen invited the members of the Parliament to take inspiration from Beatrice “Bebe” Vio, the 24-year-old Paralympic champion, and by all young people who show courage for change.

You can watch the SOTEU here.

This week we met Christy O’Neil, founder of the SKYQUO, an app pushing for sustainability. SKYQUO is a developing application in its prototype phase with big ambitions to provide a platform which offers complete transparency on the environmental, social and governance activities of companies around the world. The aim is to provide members of the public with a comprehensive source of information about the products and services they are spending their money on, to offer a scale through which the sustainability of companies can be assessed and compared, and to foster a community of bottom-up, informed decision-making which pressures companies towards pursuing more sustainable practices. 
SKYQUO knows no borders and is keen to engage people around the world to make it happen. No previous experience is necessary; just a passion to contribute to a more sustainable future. If you would like to be part of the team and make an impact, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Christy O’Neil, christyoneil0@gmail.com.
 

For ideas in the field of climate actions, apply to the Youth Climate Pact Challenge  until 26 September!