Our network is coordinated by the Young Friends of the Earth Europe Steering Group, a group of volunteers elected during the Annual Network Gathering (our key decision-making event). Together the steering group are responsible for managing the ongoing work and development of Young FoEE, including long-term campaign strategies and goals. In addition, each member is responsible for a different area of work and supporting member groups in our network.
Full Steering Group Members:
- Dimitra Kaneva, she/her, Mladi za Zemiata (YoungFoE Bulgaria)
I’ve been interested in environmental issues and involved in actions from a young age. In 2015 I joined my local group and in 2016 I attended my first Young Friends of the Earth network event. Since then, climate justice has become an important part of my life and the network has become my green home where I get to be inspired and take action with like-minded people. As a member of Young FoEE, I’ve taken part in several campaigns, actions and events. I was already a member of the previous Steering Group and I was involved in the communications, the network and the campaign teams. I would like to continue learning and contributing to the network!
- Sara Mariza Vryonidi, she/her, YFoE Cyprus
I am a project coordinator at Friends of the Earth Cyprus currently for the project ‘FOODprint” project which is about reducing food waste and advocating for solutions to change that in policy level. I am also a campaigner responsible for the communications at the organization and I have been involved in the organization since 2019. While at the organization, I am contributing in the completion of various projects such as Zero Waste Cities and the Fossil Free movement.
I decided to join the YFOEE Steering Group because my values are aligned with the values of YFoEE and I believe one should use their privilege to make changes happen.
- Tiziana Pipp, they/them, Zelena akcija (FoE Croatia)
My name is Tiziana and I’m a young environmental activist from Croatia. I have been active since 2021 and have learned a lot from people around me in different organizations. I’m a part of Friends of the Earth Croatia, Greenpeace Croatia and Extinction Rebellion Zagreb. Within these groups I’ve gathered experience on action organizing and campaigning.
My favorite part of activism is self-organization. I love seeing all the things we can do when we help each other out and all the awe-inspiring knowledge people have acquired in their life.
- Cara Clarke, she/they, YFoE Ireland
My name is Cara and I’m a climate justice activist from Dublin, Ireland. I started my activism in 2020 by organising school strikes with Fridays For Future Ireland and am now involved in Young Friends of the Earth Ireland.
I’m autistic and passionate about accessibility within the climate movement. I hope to create an inclusive and accessible environment within Young Friends of the Earth Europe !
My favourite part of activism is meeting all the amazing people in the movement and learning from them.
If I was a vegetable I would be cauliflower because it’s my favourite!
- Tabea Goßlau (Téa), she/her, BUNDjugend (YFoE Germany)
I am Tabea a curious and open person so I found myself being active in the German group of yfoee called BUNDjugend. In Berlin I grew up but I love being in nature looking at a wide landscape or on the water. Therefore I moved to a small city near the Baltic Sea. Also I love traveling and trying new things like sports, studying biochemistry and being a part of the steering group.
My favorite part of activism is raising awareness of an important topic through for example Social media and also I like to go on demonstrations because there I can feel the energy of people willing to make positive changes.
If I was a vegetable I would be a carrot because there are many diverse ways to enjoy it.
- Ana Mtchedlishvili, they/them, FoE Georgia
Ana here, activist, sci-tech journalist and copywriter from Georgia. I am most interested in the ways people affect the climate as well as tech sollutions to this problem. What I’m best at is writing, so I use that to do my activism. People believe in science, so I find it most efficient to write about climate change from a scientific standpoint. I also enjoy planning campaigns and convincing people to go vegan.
Since my first years at university, I’ve been involved in the Greens Movement of Georgia/Friends of the Earth – Georgia, and now I’ve joined YFoEE so I can expand my activism and contribute to the larger network.
My fav part of activism – brainstorming campaign ideas.
Which vegetable I’d like to be – tomato, because it’s actually a fruit and I like fruits better.
Alternate member:
- Sathe Miah (Shathi), she/her, 22. FOE & YFOE UK
My journey for climate change started with My World My Home – FOE when I was in college. My classmates and I build a campaign about Air Pollution in Tower Hamlets (East London) which has one of the most polluted air. We presented our campaign in our local council and also did mini-presentations in class and during the teacher trainings. During this time I was lucky to meet previous years’ students at various events and went to the parliament with Teach The Future group. I was less active during COVID time but did lots of volunteering across London vaccine centers. It was a hard time for me as my family struggled and my mental health, I started to plant indoors and went to the local park and forest which connect me to nature more than ever.
I would really like to be part of the Steering Group because I am confident that I can contribute and learn a lot from my peers. I always seek new opportunities and do various activities to inspire people back home. I am very lucky and fortunate to be able to study and contribute to Climate Change. I am very energetic, friendly and curious. I love to meet new people and use my time and energy on things that I care for. I am new to Steering Group and management but the network is amazing so I am confident to be able to do my role because I will not be alone in this journey.
As for vegetable I would be a spinach because I used to watch Popeye.
My fav thing about being an activist: Being able to make and be the change – action matters so I should be an example.