SDSN Youth Med Report Activity 2024 and on Network activities 2023-2024 – SDSN Youth Mediterranean
Administrative
Managament of both our MOs database
We activated our volunteers to try to update and revolutionize our Membership Organizations contact. This permits us to try to organize our activities and engage with our MOs better.
Onboarding of new volunteers
With the onboarding in May 2023 of the two Network and Deputy Coordinator, SDSN Youth Mediterranean has gone through a revolutionary process where new volunteers all over the Mediterranean countries had the opportunity to enter the Network and join in a team that respects their interests. We have in fact 4 different teams where Content Creators together with Social Media Managers, Researchers, Event Organizers, Membership managers and administrative officers work together to try to organize SDGs related activities that goes from organizing events, to communications and advocacy, as well as research projects. Our team is now composed of 19 volunteers that come from different Med countries such as Syria, Turkey, Morocco, Libia, Italy and more.
Events and initiatives
Speaking Clubs events
About the format:
The SDSN Youth Speaking Club is an interactive platform focused on engaging young people in discussions around global challenges, with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its foundation. Each session brings together students, innovators, and researchers to explore sustainability issues, encouraging participants to share their experiences and collaborate on SDG-driven solutions.
The format includes breakout discussions and problem-solving activities, emphasizing the connection between local challenges and global sustainable development. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the Speaking Club empowers young leaders to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.
Speaking Club #1
FocUs:
On November 23rd, 2023, SDSN Youth Mediterranean and Black Sea jointly organized a virtual Speaking Club as part of Global Youth Climate Week, coordinated by the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC). The event brought together students, young innovators, and researchers from these regions to discuss the intersection of mental health and sustainable cities.
Participants shared personal experiences and ideas on how sustainability challenges affect their cities, focusing not only on environmental concerns but also on social and psychological factors. Breakout discussions led to key takeaways, emphasizing collaboration for a sustainable future.
Around 50 participants joined, demonstrating enthusiasm and commitment toward building a more sustainable and equitable world.
Speaking Club #2
Focus: SDSN Youth Mediterranean- Black Sea Speaking Club #2: Navigating food security in times of crises in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions
On March 11, SDSN Youth Mediterranean and SDSN Youth Black Sea jointly organized a virtual Speaking Club event as a side event to the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2024. At the event, SDSN Youth Mediterranean and SDSN Youth Black Sea hosted Dr. Simone Cresti from Santa Chiara Lab and Dr. Apostolos Veizis from INTERSOS HELLAS. The speakers shared their valuable insights and experiences about combating food insecurity during the conflict times, and environmental crisis.
The event elaborated the causes and possible solutions to food insecurity while providing a platform for fruitful discussion. Students and young researchers were able to propose their own ideas and opinions about what kind of public policy should be adapted, while approaching the issue in an interdisciplinary manner. The event attracted a wide interest. More than 100 participants joined the event, not exclusively from Mediterranean and Black Sea countries, but also from other countries around the world.
Research Projects
Aquaculture
SDSN Youth Mediterranean released the research paper “Aquaculture’s Vital Role in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals: A Comprehensive Overview” in February. Authored by Andrea Borovac, Mercy Jelagat Kipyator, and Baudouin Gosselin, the paper highlights the potential of aquaculture to address key challenges in the Mediterranean region, contributing to SDGs 1, 2, 5, 10, 13, and 14.
The research explored how aquaculture intersects with economic, environmental, and social issues, offering solutions for food security, climate change, gender equity, and sustainable growth. It also discussed the challenges and complexities of the industry within the region.
This valuable resource is available for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders interested in sustainable development.
Upcoming events and initiatives
- F2F with SDGs: series of interviews
This project stems from the belief that accessible information is essential when discussing the SDGs, their diffusion, and especially their achievements. As we embark on a new phase, building on the success of past events, our goal is to refocus attention on the 17 SDGs and their critical importance. By strengthening our commitment to these goals, we aim to integrate them further into our strategies, ensuring they remain at the core of our work.
The SDGs aim to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity by 2030. In this phase, we will prioritize creating partnerships, raising awareness, and advancing solutions that support these objectives. A key part of this project involves inviting speakers with proven expertise in advancing SDG implementation, fostering meaningful discussions and collaborative action.
As a youth network, empowering young leaders is central to our mission. This initiative provides a platform for youth to share their experiences and take an active role in achieving the SDGs.
About the speakers
Most of the speakers who provided us their availability are young graduates/ professionals in relevant fields or who conduct volunteering activity aimed at empowering youth and spreading awareness on the importance of concrete actions to achieve the SDGs goals – not only in the country they are operating, but also sending a message around the world.
- Our first interview took place on October 14th, with Roaa Dafaallah, a climate advocate and YOUNGO member, who led a discussion on SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being. It was interesting to hear her insights and inspiring journey.
- The second interview took place on November 12th, with Giulia Tariello, the current European Union Youth Delegate to the United Nations and former Italian Youth Delegate to the United Nations. With an academic background in International Relations, Giulia focused on SDG 4 – Quality Education and 5 – Gender Equality, sharing her advocacy for youth engagement at the UN as a youth representative as well as shedding light on the importance of bridging gaps and ensuring inclusive opportunities for all.
The next interviews will take place from February 2025 and on. We expect to achieve more audience and engagement by also applying a new stylisation and promotion on social media.
- Youth4Climate & Universities for the Future: Sparking Solutions for Climate Action
SDSN Youth Mediterranean’s Participation in the Turin Climate Event: A Platform for Youth, Academics, and Leaders in Climate Action
On October 25-26, the Lingotto Campus in Turin became a vibrant hub for climate action and sustainability discussions, bringing together youth representatives, academics, and environmental leaders. Organized by Politecnico di Torino in collaboration with Italy’s Ministry of the Environment, UNDP, Youth4Climate, and RUS, this event highlighted education and public-private partnerships as essential drivers for sustainable solutions. Held just weeks before COP29 in Baku, the gathering set the stage for meaningful exchanges on climate justice, with keynote speeches from notable figures such as Professor Jeffrey Sachs, who spoke on the critical role of youth leadership in the climate crisis.
Representing SDSN Youth Mediterranean, Eleonora De Pirro presented SDSN Youth’s global and regional initiatives focused on empowering youth in sustainable development. Key among the contributions was the 2024 Networks in Action Report, showcasing innovative solutions and partnerships from SDSN’s networks worldwide. Additionally, SDSN Youth shared its Climate Change Guidebook: Decade of Action, a resource equipping young people with essential information and strategies for climate policy engagement.
Regionally, SDSN Youth Mediterranean emphasized initiatives tailored to local climate challenges, including the F2F with SDGs series, which spotlights young changemakers driving progress on the SDGs through impactful projects. Additionally, SDSN Youth has addressed issues like food security in the Mediterranean and its intersection with climate change and political dynamics, demonstrating how targeted programs can foster regional sustainability. Similarly, networks like SDSN Youth Nigeria have launched educational programs, such as the Climate Actors Accelerator Programme (CAAP), which prepares youth to tackle global climate challenges, underscoring the organization’s commitment to education and capacity-building across regions.
The two-day event was structured to address different facets of youth involvement and climate action. On October 25, discussions centered on the recent G7 and Youth 7 (Y7) summits, with Eleonora contributing insights on enhancing youth representation in policy-making. The afternoon featured a workshop led by past winners of #Youth4Climate initiative. The focus has been on Youth Peace, Justice, and Security topics, providing attendees with practical tools and strategies for advancing climate and justice agendas.
On the second day, Italy’s Ministry of the Environment, UNDP, Youth4Climate, and RUS took a major step in supporting youth-led sustainability projects by funding green startups led by young entrepreneurs from African and Latin American (LAC) countries. This funding aims to empower youth from these regions, enabling innovative solutions for climate resilience and sustainable development.
The Turin event underscored the power of collective action and the importance of funding, education, and institutional support in advancing climate solutions. It highlighted the need for youth voices to not only be heard but to be integral to decision-making frameworks. SDSN Youth (Mediterranean) remains committed to fostering connections and empowering young people across the region, driving impactful change and a sustainable future through collaboration and innovation.
- SDG Progress Tracker
This initiative will launch a social media campaign aimed at spotlighting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tracking progress towards their achievement. By engaging our community online, we will raise awareness about the importance of these goals and encourage collective action for sustainable development.
- SDSN Youth Mediterranean Newsletter
Our new newsletter will serve as a vital resource for updates on opportunities, initiatives, and projects from SDSN Youth Mediterranean and our member organizations. This monthly publication will keep our network informed and engaged, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing across our community.
About the SDSN Youth hub
Our network activity is a result of young volunteers’ enthusiasm and commitment to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Mediterranean. Driven by a collective dedication to build a more sustainable and equitable future, our volunteers contribute through four dynamic teams, tailored to their strengths and aspirations:
- Content Creators & Social Media Managers: Amplifying the voices of youth and advocating for the SDGs through creative storytelling and impactful digital campaigns.
- Researchers: Generating innovative ideas and actionable insights to address critical sustainability challenges.
- Event Organizers: Bringing people together to inspire action through workshops, conferences, and community initiatives.
- Membership Managers & Administrative Officers: Strengthening collaboration, partnerships, and the internal foundations of the network.
Through their work, these teams empower young people to take an active role in tackling global challenges, from climate action and gender equality to peacebuilding and education.
Our community of 19 volunteers spans diverse countries, including Syria, Turkey, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, Italy, and more, reflecting the Mediterranean multifaceted/ multicultural uniqueness. Together, we harness our various perspectives to drive local and regional actions, creating meaningful change for a sustainable future.
- Linktree to post on the main SDSN Youth Section