International Youth Day in Georgia Marked by Actions, Discussions, and Motivation
In celebration of International Youth Day on August 12, Georgia witnessed a series of events that highlighted the country's young changemakers. From Kakheti to Poti, and Nikozi in between, youth are demonstrating their role as active drivers of change, leading the way towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful future.
One such initiative is the Greening the Future project, a youth-led environmental endeavour aimed at empowering young people to engage in sustainability activities that support healthy lands and thriving communities. This project, part of broader efforts like the Georgia Conservancy’s Generation Green program, equips young professionals with the tools and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to environmental conservation and climate action locally.
In Kakheti, more than 110 young people engaged in open discussions with Ambassador Anne Toft Sørensen of Denmark, UNDP Deputy Representative Nils Christensen, and local civic leaders. The dialogue underscored the importance of empowering youth from diverse and underrepresented communities and ensuring their voices shape public life and local development. Discussions centred on youth inclusion, education, and civic engagement.
Meanwhile, in Nikozi, a conflict-affected village, International Youth Day was preceded by a sports event for peacebuilding and resilience. Luka Metreveli, a rock climbing champion from Zemo Nikozi, stated that for youth living near conflict divides, sport is a powerful tool for inclusion and hope.
In Khobi and Poti, young environmental leaders are transforming global climate goals into local solutions. The Greening the Future initiative supports energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport, and eco-conscious living in these communities.
The celebrations for International Youth Day in Georgia included vibrant discussions and green initiatives. This summer, young activists gathered at a Green Camp to exchange ideas, build skills, and map out community-driven climate actions. The project partners for "Greening the Future" stated that young people are creating a world where people and nature thrive together.
The local impact of such initiatives is significant. They promote renewable energy projects and sustainability practices that complement larger state goals, such as Georgia’s increase in greenhouse gas emission reduction targets (up to 35% unconditional reduction by 2030). They also support community-level climate resilience, sustainable construction, and education to foster long-term environmental stewardship among the next generation.
Moreover, these initiatives catalyze economic opportunities in green technologies and construction, particularly by integrating youth-led perspectives into projects that mitigate climate change locally and provide social equity benefits. For instance, young professionals and entrepreneurs contribute through firms like the Dragon Group, a Black-owned green construction management company that champions sustainability by decarbonizing buildings and investing in community resilience efforts.
While there is major infrastructure development by entities like Georgia Power focusing on a diverse energy mix including renewable energy and battery storage systems, grassroots youth-led projects such as Greening the Future provide critical community-based contributions and leadership.
In summary, the Greening the Future project reflects youth-driven environmental leadership in Georgia that complements broader state climate goals by fostering local sustainability, education, and climate resilience, while helping to build greener, healthier communities statewide.
