Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Youth play a pivotal role in advancing sustainability. Their engagement accelerates knowledge-sharing and awareness, supports intergenerational dialogue, spurs action to tackle environmental challenges and fosters skill development for a sustainable future.
In 2024, the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) launched its first three-year Youth Engagement Strategy (YES). Building on past efforts, the 2024–2026 strategy identifies challenges and opportunities for meaningful youth engagement across the CEC’s activities, work programs and networking spaces to foster meaningful youth participation, strengthen community capacity and ensure long-term sustainability of engagement approaches.
During Youth Engagement Week, the CEC is highlighting the accomplishments of the 2024 Generation of Environmental Leaders Program (GELP) cohort. These inspiring young leaders carried out impactful environmental solutions across Canada, Mexico and the United States and recently completed their full cycle in the program, which included a year of mentorship sessions.
Over the past year, they received meaningful opportunities, including being named to the “25 Under 25 Young Climate Prize,” serving as keynote speakers and taking part in international conferences, global design academies and fellowships. They also connected with the 2024 GELP semi-finalists and several CEC collaborators to grow their professional networks. Re-discover their environmental solutions and inspiring stories here.
The CEC is now welcoming the 2025 GELP cohort.
Coming Soon: 2025 Youth Engagement Week (YEW)
The CEC Youth Engagement Week (YEW) returns this fall with the theme “Youth Breaking Silos!”. This annual event is designed to embrace youth perspectives in North America by fostering their active participation in the CEC’s work and efforts.
This fall, we’ll be seeking youth facilitators and speakers from the three countries to share their experiences and lead discussions in three key areas:
· Youth-driven businesses and intra/entrepreneurship
· Indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge
· Subnational and community engagement
Are you a youth leader or part of an organization supporting youth? Keep an eye out for updates on how you can get involved!
Youth engagement isn’t just about the future, it’s also about today. By working with and supporting young leaders from diverse backgrounds, the CEC is ensuring that environmental solutions are impactful, accessible to all and rooted in the priorities of those who will inherit our planet. From skill-building to decision making, youth are catalysts for change, driving sustainability forward across borders.
Read about the CEC YEG strategy here.
Featured image credit: CEC
