1 / YOUNG PEOPLE
Preparing a new generation
We train young people who learn about nature, heritage and civic engagement, and take part in local decisions.
Project funded by the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme, through the Civic Engagement Programme
Building Communities with Young Voices: Youth Forum in Local Governance
Sometimes the most important discoveries are not on the map, but right in your community.
30+young people involved, aged 15–25
18communes in Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark
3public consultations with the communities
1Youth Forum for ideas and initiatives
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Young people have a say in the future of Buzău Land
What if you could help shape the future of the place you live in? Come up with ideas, take part in discussions and help find solutions for your community? Through this project, young people from Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark discover what civic engagement means and how they can turn ideas into concrete actions for people, nature and local heritage. Because change needs new voices!
The local landscape is an essential part of the communities’ story.
OBJECTIVES
More ideas. More involvement. A future built together.
The project creates opportunities for young people to learn, collaborate and actively contribute to the development of the communities they live in
2 / PARTICIPATION
Giving shape to ideas
We create the Youth Forum, an interface between communities, authorities and the environment, and a space for dialogue and initiatives for the future of the Geopark.
3 / SUSTAINABILITY
Building a lasting mechanism
We build a continuous flow of young people ready to get involved in the future of their community. The Educational Network and the Participation Charter ensure the project’s continuity.
HOW WE WORK
From ideas to concrete activities.
01
We find young people who want to get involved and turn them into Geo-entrepreneurs
We organise workshops and meetings in schools and communities, where young people can learn more about the project and their role in the development of the area.
02
Learning by doing
We take part in hands-on activities about biodiversity, geodiversity, civic engagement, heritage, decision-making and sustainable development.
03
Laying the foundations of the Youth Forum
We build a collaborative space where young people can work in groups, share ideas and contribute to the future of the Geopark.
04
Listening to the community
We organise public consultations to bring together perspectives and ideas about nature, heritage, education and the development of the area.
05
Drafting the Participation Charter
We contribute to a shared guide of principles and ideas for involving communities in protecting nature and local heritage.
06
Preparing the next generations
We connect the Forum with the Geopark’s educational network, so that new young people can keep learning and participating.
what does a GEO-ENTREPRENEUR do?
Observe. Ask. Connect. Act.
A Geo-entrepreneur connects people, nature and community. They observe what happens around them, listen to different perspectives, look for solutions and contribute to local initiatives.
You don’t need to know everything from the start. What matters is being curious, wanting to learn and being ready to get involved.
You understand the territory better
You work as a team
You express your ideas
You contribute to local solutions
A Geo-entrepreneur gains interdisciplinary skills in sustainable development
EXPECTED RESULTS
What do we want to build together?
We want the energy and ideas of young people to turn into concrete results that can be used after the project ends.
- At least 30 trained young people ready to contribute to the development of participatory governance
- A functioning Youth Forum that supports sustainable development and civic initiatives.
- Three public consultations for dialogue and exchange of ideas with community members.
- A Participation Charter for Nature and Heritage, built on community dialogue.
- A long-term engagement mechanism connected to the Geopark’s educational network.
- More engaged communities in decision-making processes.
PROJECT INFORMATION
The project in brief
The project aims to bring young people closer to their communities and give them an active role in the future of Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark. Through hands-on workshops, field activities and meetings with community members, at least 30 young people aged 15 to 25 will learn how to protect nature and local heritage and how to turn ideas into concrete initiatives. The project will contribute to creating the Youth Forum, organising public consultations and drafting the Participation Charter for Nature and Heritage, laying the foundations for civic engagement that continues into the future. Project funded by the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme, through the Civic Engagement Programme, and implemented by Asociația Ținutul Buzăului. Project funded within the Civic Engagement Programme, supported by the Swiss Contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in the EU. The content of this material does not necessarily reflect the official position of Switzerland.
Implementation periodSeptember 2026 – September 2028
Grant valueCHF 198,460
FunderSwiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme
More information about the Civic Engagement Programme and the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme: elvetiaromania.ro/en · Facebook · Instagram
Resources for getting involved
Discover the resources for young people
Project documents
Reference documents and materials to understand the project, its objectives and the involvement of young people.
FROM THE PROJECT
News and events
Follow the activities, meetings and ideas taking shape in the community.
WORKSHOPS · SAMPLE
Workshops and meetings with young people
A short story about the activities carried out and the participants’ ideas will appear here.
Sample article
IN THE FIELD · SAMPLE
Discovering the territory together
A space for photos and information about field trips and exploring local heritage.
Sample article
COMMUNITY · SAMPLE
The community’s ideas, brought together
Announcements about public consultations, meetings and other opportunities to take part will be posted here.
Sample articleThemes to explore
Stories from the community and nature
Civic engagement
Volunteering brings people together, and community participation can turn local ideas into action.
IN PICTURES
Photo and video gallery
A look behind the scenes of the project: people, places, activities and ideas that bring us together.
IN THE FIELDDiscovering the landscape
OUR LANDNature inspires us
LEARNINGIdeas brought together