Listening to Young People: Putting the Environment on the Youth Agenda

Across Europe, and here in Malta, young people are increasingly vocal about the urgency of the environmental and climate crisis. They are not only concerned citizens but also eager contributors to solutions. This message is clear in the most recent Flash Eurobarometer surveys on youth priorities, which highlight that for young people in Malta, the environment and climate change rank among the top issues they want the EU to address in the next five years.

According to the 2024 Eurobarometer Youth Survey (FL013EP), 34% of young people (16-30 years old) in Malta identified the environment and climate change as one of the three most important priorities for the European Union. This puts the issue on equal footing with other concerns such as rising prices and youth employment. Similarly, in the February 2025 survey on EU challenges and priorities (FL556), 35% of Maltese young people stated that stronger climate action and environmental protection is one of the most important changes they would like to see in the EU by 2030.

These numbers make it evident that the environmental agenda is not a passing concern but a sustained and urgent priority for Malta’s younger generations. They are calling for more robust action, more opportunities to engage, and a stronger role in shaping environmental futures.

Responding Through Action: Agenzija Żgħażagħ’s Commitment

Agenzija Żgħażagħ recognises this call and is actively responding through a variety of youth-led and youth-focused initiatives that place environmental issues at the centre of engagement and education.

One such initiative is SDG Champions, a programme that supports young people in promoting and acting on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to climate action and responsible consumption. The initiative is held in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness and the Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ (KNŻ). By engaging in this process, young participants are empowered to inspire change, to represent other young people, and to become advocates for sustainability within their local and wider communities.

Complementing this is Plan It, an educational tool that helps young people understand the interconnectedness of planning, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. This programme promotes critical thinking about how planning decisions affect the environment and quality of life in both urban and rural settings.

Another hands-on, exploration-based initiative is Esploraturi tal-Ambjent, which encourages young people to reconnect with nature and understand Malta’s unique ecosystems. Through outdoor learning and environmental discovery, participants develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world and their role in protecting it.

Building on these efforts, Agenzija Żgħażagħ is also preparing to launch a dedicated Environment Club in 2025. This club will serve as a space where young people can meet regularly, collaborate on green initiatives, and develop projects that promote environmental awareness and action on a local level.

Beyond direct programming, the agency supports youth participation in environmental action through its investment in youth organisations, particularly those that offer opportunities in this field. A notable example is Friends of the Earth Malta, which continues to offer young people dynamic opportunities to get involved in environmental education, activism, and volunteering. Through its funding streams and capacity-building initiatives, Agenzija Żgħażagħ ensures that these organisations have the resources to reach more young people and involve them meaningfully in environmental efforts.

Working With and For Young People

The feedback from Eurobarometer surveys underscores the need to keep environment and climate change issues high on the youth policy agenda. Young people are not asking to be told what to think—they are asking to be given platforms where they can act. Agenzija Żgħażagħ is committed to continuing its role in creating and supporting those platforms.

Addressing environmental challenges requires sustained engagement with the very generation that will inherit the outcomes of today’s decisions. By aligning its work with what young people are asking for, Agenzija Żgħażagħ is helping shape a more sustainable, participatory, and responsive future.

If you are interested to know more kindly visit Youth Wiki – Europe’s Encyclopaedia of National Youth Policies.