Young people, especially those from underrepresented groups, must be involved as active contributors, and not just as passive recipients, in shaping solutions based on Nature-based Solutions (NBS). Toolkit NBS EduWORLD — Youth Inclusion Toolkit for Local Authorities (NBS EduWORLD Toolkit for Youth Engagement in NBS) was created to provide local governments with practical tools and case studies for effective and meaningful youth engagement in work with NBS.

This document, funded by the European Union, serves as a key resource for local governments, educators and NGOs working towards meaningful youth participation. In the context of this toolkit, youth is defined as: individuals aged 16 to 30. The main goal is to support local governments in reaching out to young people to involve them. with respect and equal treatment into collective decision-making and planning for a more resilient future using the NBS.

Why is youth involvement essential?

Meaningful youth participation in education and governance of the NBS is essential for effective, equitable and regenerative change. Young people have recognized right co-create decisions that affect their future, especially in light of the climate and biodiversity crises. They bring valuable ideas and skills, they know their communities and, thanks to their creativity and digital literacy, they are key co-creators of innovative NBS.

By engaging youth, we also bridge generational gaps and build stronger, more resilient communities. However, it is crucial to avoid superficial approaches, because „"poorly executed participation may actually be worse than no participation"“ – can come across as disrespectful or tokenistic. Therefore, it is essential to emphasize inclusive communication, flexible engagement formats, and long-term trust-building, thereby removing barriers that many young people face, such as limited resources or discrimination.

Tools to turn ideas into action

The NBS EduWORLD toolkit offers 12 practical tools to overcome obstacles and support youth activities. These tools include:

1. Hackathons: They provide a fun and interactive online format for problem-solving in teams, simulating real-world issues and connecting youth with NBS experts. They develop digital skills, teamwork and creativity and can last from a few hours to several days.
2. Citizen Science and BioBlitz: It involves the active participation of the public, especially youth, in collecting biodiversity data and monitoring. A BioBlitz is a short, collaborative event (e.g. 24 hours) aimed at rapidly collecting data on species in a given location. Citizen science builds scientific literacy and a sense of environmental responsibility over the long term.
3. Youth Council: They provide structured platforms for young people to actively participate in co-creating solutions with stakeholders, amplifying their voice in addressing NBS.
4. Participatory Budget: It allows citizens to be directly involved in deciding how to spend part of the budget. It can be a powerful tool for youth engagement if funds are specifically earmarked for youth initiatives.

Other tools include Role Play Game, Youth Engagement Surveys, Board Games, Scenario Planning, Visioning Exercise, Participatory Mapping and Third Spaces.

Examples of successful engagement

Case studies from different cities demonstrate how local governments implement youth engagement:

• Parma, Italy: As part of its candidacy for European Youth Capital, Parma has introduced generational impact assessment (generational impact assessment or "youth check") for internal administrative acts, making it probably the first municipality in OECD countries to adopt such a tool at the local level.
• Almada, Portugal: Almada successfully engaged youth through participatory programs where student suggestions led to implementation of river habitat restoration projects as urban policy. The key to success was connecting youth through schools and NGOs, with dynamic activities combining art and science being effective.
• Friesland, Netherlands: The region used serious game (serious game) to engage youth in comprehensive regional climate planning. This format helped participants understand complex trade-offs (e.g., between water security and economic vitality) in a playful yet strategic way.

Youth involvement in the NBS is not only a moral imperative, but strategic advantage for cities seeking fresh perspectives and building long-term resilience. Local governments that consider youth as key actors gain not only the trust of the community, but also a generation of engaged citizens ready to shape a more sustainable future. JRi