COP17 - Youth contributions
When countries gather in October for the next United Nations Biodiversity COP17, there will be one main question: How far did we come - as a global community - to conserve and restore biodiversity, to use it sustainably and do all of this as a society?
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) is the highest decision body of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - the place where all the countries that ratified the Convention (the "parties") come together to decide the next steps. This time, the COP will mainly focus on the so-called global stocktake and how to take more action for nature.
Youth needs to be part of this. We are increasingly at the forefront of biodiversity efforts, yet often lack access to learning spaces that integrate holistic understanding, intergenerational knowledge, nature-grounded experience, and strategic planning. We remain one of the most underfunded and underrepresented groups in global biodiversity governance.
Youth are implementers
What?
We will collect case studies, reports, and documentation of youth-led biodiversity action and how those support the Global Biodiversity Framework across Europe, as well as the challenges that hinder further scaling up and additional action. Those actions will be then shared through a social media campaign, reports and at the COP17 in Yerevan.
Why?
Youth-led biodiversity initiatives across Europe remain invisible to policymakers, who rarely recognize young people as implementers and change-makers. This visibility gap means governments miss opportunities to learn from and support youth action. We want to make sure that decision makers realize: Youth are Implementers! And we want to inspire other youth to take action.
Objective
The contributions to biodiversity action from young people across Europe are showcased before and during COP17 to demonstrate the multitude of ways in which young people are currently contributing and to highlight the barriers/challenges they face when trying to contribute.
Ideal impacts
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The barriers to young people (across Europe) contributing to action on biodiversity are reduced.
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More young people contribute to action on biodiversity.
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Decision makers recognize us Youth as Implementers
Why do we need this?
This COP is all about the global progress. But if you look at the Draft global progress report, published by the CBD and mainly based on the national reports of the countries: Youth is very much overlooked. Youth is not even mentioned within the first targets about protected areas, restoration, invasive alien species or climate change. Youth do get mentioned for some other targets - but mainly as recipients for awareness raising.
However, we now that youth is doing so much more for biodiversity. We want to show this to the decision makers. Help us showcasing what you and your friend are doing! Fill out the form and share it with others!
Some relevant terminology - we love acronyms
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CBD - Convention on Biological Diversity, one of the Rio Conventions and the reason for our existence as GYBN.
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COP - Conference of the Parties or basically the meeting of all those countries that ratified the Convention. Other governments, mayor groups (Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women and youth) and observers are also welcome
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GBF - Global Biodiversity Framework - something the parties of the CBD agreed on in 2022, specifically: 23 targets based on some key considerations as human-rights, involvement of the whole government and the whole society, with formal and informal education (the Section C) grouped under 4 goals that we aim to achieve by 2030. This should set us (= the world) on track to achieve the vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050.
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NBSAP - National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans, the rather long name for the translation of those 23 global targets agreed under the GBF in national commitments. So what does the country plans to contribute so that by 2030 we have achieved those targets? What actions will they take and how can we measure the progress?
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GYBN - Global Youth Biodiversity Network. Well that is us - the recognized youth coordination platform for the CBD. Founded in 2010 and by now with over 70 national and regional chapters representing 1.25 million youth.
You can support? Please do.
You have ideas, you can provide in kind-support, connections or you can fundraise money? Every support is helpful. Share the word about our activities, join GYBN Europe or its subchapters (if you are youth up to 35 years).
For COP17, we need our motivation and dedication - and yes, we also need money to support more youth to join in-person and make sure that our voices are heard. Therefore: Please chip in and share our fundraising campaign!
Donate and share:
Or donate directly:
Questions or other ways to help? Email us: gybn.europe@gmail.com.
Bank account owner: Future Ancestors Rising
IBAN: DE16 3705 0198 1958 6603 08
BIC: COLSDE33XXX
Bank: Sparkasse Koeln Bonn
Please add “GYBN Europe” in the purpose /intended use part of the donation.