Just as the Steering Group coordinates the network, the working groups coordinate activities around specific fields and topics that the network finds most important. The current working groups were established at the last network meeting. The groups operate with a flat hierarchy, but each group has a designated steering group member in a supporting role. Find all details and more below.
Our volunteer network is always looking for people to get involved to run communications, manage events, plan thematic campaigns, and more. We support volunteers to develop new skills and develop as activists! Fill out this form if you are interested in getting involved.
International solidarity
Are you interested in how climate change affects communities in the Global South or Indigenous peoples? Or in how the climate movement can take action against the ongoing genocide in Palestine? Perhaps you want to learn more about the binding treaty in Geneva? If so, the International Solidarity Working Group is the place for you.
YFoEE is rooted in an intersectional approach, believing that building a strong environmental movement requires connecting the climate crisis to broader social struggles, against racism, sexism, neoliberalism, and neocolonialism. Our international solidarity aims to work with climate justice in an intersectional way, moving beyond issues that only affect the Global North.
Key words: Intersectionality, Feminism, Global south/global north, Equality, Global justice, Power dynamics, Racism, Neo-colonialism
Responsible Steering group member: Abigail (Sweden/Spain)
Climate justice and social justice
YFoEE strongly believes that climate justice and social justice go hand in hand, there can be no climate justice without social justice. The green transition must include everyone, not just the wealthy. It should benefit vulnerable households, students, single parents and people from low-income backgrounds. We need to ensure the green transition is truly just and inclusive.
Are you interested in fighting for energy-efficient housing for vulnerable households, better and more affordable public transport, or exploring how social inequalities shape environmental challenges? Then you should join our climate justice and social justice working group!
Key words: Energy, just transition, climate, environment, energy efficiency, sustainability, green cities, energy communities, housing, crisis, socio-economic background
Responsible Steering group member: Dimitra (Bulgaria)
Youth empowerment
Are you tired of youth washing? Or frustrated that young people are so often excluded from decision-making processes? Then the Youth Empowerment working group might be the right place for you.
At YFoEE, we believe that we, young people are not the leaders of tomorrow, we are the change makers of today. By uniting our voices, we can strengthen youth participation in decision-making processes and ensure that young people have the possibility to hold leadership positions.
The Youth Empowerment Working Group works to increase meaningful youth participation both within Friends of the Earth Europe’s member organisations and externally, at the European level, within national governments, and in local councils.
Key words: Young people, youth leaders, youth participation, non-formal education, youth washing, leadership, participatory, steering group, board, legislation, youth dialogues
Responsible Steering group member: Tobias (Austria)
Deregulation
The ongoing wave of deregulation is dangerous. It threatens our rights, protections and future. Yet the European Commission chooses to listen to far-right agendas and big polluting companies, instead of the voices of the people, especially us young people, by weakening legislation on climate, environment and workers’ rights.
The working group on deregulation fights to stop these harmful developments. We believe the Commission should prioritize people over profit and ensure that the voices of the people are heard in shaping policies that affect our future instead of listening to the big polluting companies.
We will fight corporate powers until they act in line with the Paris agreement. Join YFoEE fight to cease the wave of deregulatory measures in European politics, for a more just, sustainable future.
Key words: Capitalism, companies, cooperation, polluters, Paris agreement, climate targets, tax the rich, workers rights, people over profit, European Commission
Responsible Steering group member: Winnie (Netherlands)
Get involved
Do you feel like your name is written on one of these groups? Are you a talented communicator? A passionate campaigner? Do you like to meet people and organise events? (Or: do you want to get some first-time experience doing any of the above?)
Our volunteer network is always looking for people to get involved to run communications, manage events, plan thematic campaigns, and more. We support volunteers to develop new skills and develop as activists! Fill out this form if you are interested in getting involved.