Panda Labs Achievers: Youth for a Just Energy Transition

<< Objectives >>Responding to the climate change emergency, the main goal of this project is to increase knowledge about climate change and Just Transition challenges among high school students from coal regions in 4 Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro) and encourage their active involvement in policy making and problem-solving, in order to foster an innovation culture in key Just Transition areas. << Implementation >>The project will promote green entrepreneurship and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in coal regions through an innovative education package which includes a dedicated interactive online course on climate change and just transition, a series of face-to-face hackathons and an online collaboration space. Young people from coal regions will be involved in simulations of economic and social councils and will make their voices heard during roundtables with local government representatives.<< Results >>The PLAY JET methodology will build the entrepreneurial competence and civic engagement attitude of 500 young social innovators, making them essential contributors to the Just Transition process. By inspiring youth to imagine their future as green entrepreneurs in their home region, the project will reduce the drivers of emigration from key coal regions, will promote diverse local economies and will contribute to making these areas more appealing to potential investors, visitors and inhabitants.