Youth, Governance, and Social Justice in Environmental Transition: An Ecocritical Framework in Comparative and Transdisciplinary Contexts

This project is a collaboration between early-career researchers from Charles University, the Universities of Milan and Warsaw. Born out of the 2024 Geneva Study Trip: Environmental Governance, held in October 2024 at the University of Geneva, this pilot project examines how are youth voices integrated into policy development within the European context. Youth have become central actors in climate action, biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, but their voices remain underrepresented in policymaking. The research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, bridging social and environmental sciences with cultural studies, policy analysis, and youth studies. It is grounded in the principles of Environmental Humanities and employs an ethics of care framework. The findings will inform actionable recommendations for EU member states to enhance youth participation in environmental governance and contribute to a shared knowledge base on youth involvement in environmental policy.