GREEN IT YOUR WORK
Greener European Cities - CERV Network of Towns
We were partners with other seven countries (Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Croatia) in a European project which aimed to emphasize the youth role in the green transition and to promote green jobs for greener cities.
“Being greener” is an abstract concept, and probably we, as adults, may decline it and envision it in a very different way than the youngsters. The great goal of this project was to prototype what being greener and get greener jobs means for all the components of the society, so that, in the green transition, the actions of the younger generations are integrated, seen, listened, empowered by the other generations which well nonetheless fell equally valued by the community.
The Italian city that hosted the final event of GREEN IT YOUR WORK was Pordenone, a dynamic city with a beautiful historic center and a vibrant cultural scene: this area has an important history behind it, but also the desire to be part of the future of its young people.
WP8 Meeting: Be Decent Green
November 19th-22nd, 2024
The final event was held in Pordenone, Italy’s top-ranked city for quality of life and sustainability, excelling in education, environment, business, healthcare, and safety (La Sapienza University), and Italy's third “greenest” city (Legambiente, Il Sole 24 Ore) for its commitment to urban planning, green spaces, and mobility, with a top ranking for waste recycling (86.1%) and an impressive cycling path network (109.91 km per 100 km²).
Key sessions included:
Local Best Practices:
Discussions on green hospitality, social sustainability, and the concept of the “15-Minute City” with Francesco De Felice, manger at Park Hotel Best Western Plus, Valentina Vello, head of communication at Park Hotel Best Western Plus, an establishment deeply committed to sustainability in the hospitality sector and Federica Morsanuto, project manager of Gluo.org, the italian sharing platform for volunteering, an important digital revolution that is deeply involving the younger generation in the third sector.
Accessibility and Social Sustainability: Meetings held at the Museum of Natural History and Coop Noncello explored how inclusivity and green practices go hand in hand.
Dissemination Events: Partners collaborated to define practical guidelines under the guidance of Elisa Cozzarini, an environmental journalist who curated the Green Manifesto for Cinemazero and Pordenone Docs Fest.
The event concluded with a Public Green Café, turning ideas into action during a social dinner inspired by the Vert Restaurant project and menu.
WP8 Meeting: video diary
Video editing by Samuele Dradi
Sustainability and Youth Empowerment Guidelines
Sustainability is often interpreted differently by different generations. Young people must be at the center of this transition, not as passive recipients of policies but as active contributors, innovators and decision-makers. This project seeks to prototype what “being greener” means across generations, ensuring that youth actions are not only integrated but also seen, listened to, and empowered, all while fostering intergenerational collaboration where everyone feels valued. This Decalogue for Sustainability & Youth Empowerment provides step-by-step guidance to ensure that the green transition is inclusive, actionable, and long-lasting.
100% Commitment: Sustainability as a Core Value
Sustainability must be a core principle in every decision. This means:
sustainability must be embedded in all decision-making processes;
every action should align with environmental and social responsibility principles;
actively involving young people in green transition policies and decision-making.
Think long-term: Just like raising a child, sustainability requires trust, patience, and consistency.
Sustainability is a journey: Step-by-Step implementation.
Transitioning to a sustainable system requires structured, inclusive progress:
change happens gradually, setting small, achievable goals ensures lasting impact;
adopt phased approaches to sustainability, ensuring feasibility and continuous improvement;
measure and adjust strategies based on real data and community feedback.
Every step counts: even small changes lead to big transformations over time.
Turning Limits into Strengths: Green Transition as an Opportunity
What may seem like a limitation can become an opportunity when approached innovatively:
constraints can drive creativity: limited resources encourage innovation;
regulatory frameworks and environmental restrictions should be seen as opportunities to develop smarter solutions;
green business practices and sustainable policies increase competitiveness and economic resilience.
Adapting to limits creates more sustainable and future-proof solutions.
Green Energy: Making the Right Choice
Consumers should have the freedom to choose their energy provider;
prioritize suppliers that offer 100% renewable energy from sources like wind, solar, and hydro;
governments and businesses should invest in local green energy production to reduce dependency on fossil fuels;
prioritize youth involvement in renewable energy projects, start up and education.
The energy choices of today shape the future of tomorrow’s generations.
Waste Management: You Pay for What You Waste
Waste reduction must be an interactive and collective effort:
implement a “pay-as-you-throw” system to incentivize waste reduction;
encourage recycling and composting by providing clear guidelines and accessible facilities;
businesses and institutions should track waste production and set reduction targets;
encourage among common (and young) people creative approaches to reducing waste such as gamification and digital solutions.
Reducing waste saves money, conserves resources, and protects the environment.
Government Policies & Tax Benefits
Public policies must support youth-led sustainability initiatives:
policymakers must create incentives for businesses and citizens to adopt sustainable practices;
tax reductions should reward companies that invest in green technologies, energy efficiency, and circular economy models;
clear, long-term policies encourage businesses to transition towards sustainability without economic disadvantages;
young people must not only be included in discussions but also given decision-making power: e.g. youth advisory councils should be established to ensure their voices are heard in green policymaking;
public transport policies should prioritize affordability and accessibility for everyone, in particular for young citizens.
Policies drive real change, governments must lead the way.
State Support for Green Initiatives
Governments should provide grants, low-interest loans, and subsidies for sustainable projects, in particular tax benefits for green startups founded by young entrepreneurs;
public-private partnerships can accelerate the green transition in key sectors like transportation, construction, and agriculture, including green incubators to help young professionals launch eco-friendly businesses and encouraging cross-generational collaboration between experienced professionals and young changemakers;
support mechanisms should be accessible and transparent to encourage widespread adoption.
A sustainable economy requires active investment and support from institutions.
Certification & Accountability
Public institutions must ensure that businesses and organizations certify their environmental impact;
transparency in reporting energy use, emissions, and sustainability efforts builds trust with consumers and stakeholders;
certification should not be just a label but a commitment to continuous improvement.
Green claims must be backed by real actions.
Sustainable Tourism: A New Standard
Encourage eco-friendly travel options, prioritizing public transport, cycling, and walking;
promote local and sustainable tourism experiences, supporting communities and preserving natural resources;
reduce the environmental footprint of tourism by adopting low-impact accommodations, improved and green public transportation and responsible waste management.
Tourism must enrich both the traveler and the environment, not deplete it.
Youth Leadership: From Participants to Changemakers
Young people must not only be included in sustainability efforts but take the lead in shaping the green transition:
create youth-led councils and advisory boards to influence environmental policies and decision-making;
provide funding, mentorship, and training to support young entrepreneurs in developing green innovations;
ensure that schools, universities, and vocational programs integrate sustainability as a core subject, fostering new generations of eco-leaders.
The future belongs to those who shape it: young people must be at the forefront of the change. Trust the Process, Trust the Youth.
Green IT Your Work: the first meeting that started it all!
It took place in Sinaia (Romania) on February 27th and 28th 2023. Eight partners gathered to start working on how to promote greener job for greener European cities, especially to engage local youth in the green transition:
Asociatia Se Poate from ROMANIA;
Cardet NGO from CYPRUS;
Dimos Agias Paraskevis, Agua Municipality from GREECE;
Diputacion Alicante from SPAIN;
Fingal County Council from IRELAND;
Grad Pregrada from CROATIA;
Podjetniški Inkubator Kočevje from SLOVENIA;
Ubik Art with Future Young Talent from ITALY.
#GreenItYourWork is a CERV Network of Town. Funded by the European Union.
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