ALDA Moldova is proud to announce the launch of the project Smart Governance for Youth Involvement in Climate Action (SG4Y-CLIMATE), a new regional initiative implemented under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme. The project seeks to empower young people to take an active role in addressing climate challenges while strengthening the capacity of local authorities to promote inclusive, transparent, and participatory governance across the region.
Led by Istanbul Nisantasi University (Türkiye), the partnership also involves Tekirdag Metropolitan Municipality (Türkiye), Galati Municipality (Romania), and ALDA Moldova – the Chisinau Branch of the European Association for Local Democracy. Co-funded by the European Union, the project will begin in November 2025 and run for 18 months, fostering regional collaboration between institutions and youth communities from three countries bordering the Black Sea.
Within this framework, SG4Y-CLIMATE will establish a Transnational Youth Council for Climate Action (TYCCA), which will serve as a structured mechanism for youth engagement in local governance processes. TYCCA will gather motivated young representatives from Türkiye, Romania, and Moldova to collaborate with municipalities, develop climate-focused initiatives, and advocate for policies that enhance climate resilience and democratic participation. Through tailored trainings, joint activities, and awareness-raising events, the council will nurture a generation of youth leaders committed to both sustainability and democratic innovation.
By combining innovative digital tools, education, and cross-border cooperation, SG4Y-CLIMATE promotes sustainable democracy, climate responsibility, and active citizenship
In parallel, the project will introduce a Smart Governance Methodology supporting municipalities in designing participatory processes that include youth in decision-making on climate issues. A complementary AI-based digital platform will facilitate ongoing interaction between young citizens and local authorities, offering a space for consultation, co-creation, and knowledge exchange. Moreover, a Transnational Climate Resilience Campaign will enhance public awareness about the shared environmental challenges in the Black Sea Basin, fostering civic responsibility and collective action.
As a partner, ALDA Moldova will coordinate actions linked to youth participation, communication, and transnational campaigning. Drawing on ALDA’s long-standing experience in democratic governance, civic engagement, and environmental awareness, the organisation will ensure that young people are not merely participants but co-designers of the solutions shaping their local and regional future. This contribution is closely aligned with ALDA’s broader mission of empowering citizens and fostering cooperation between civil society and local authorities to build resilient, democratic, and sustainable communities.
Ultimately, SG4Y-CLIMATE represents a concrete step towards integrating youth perspectives into governance and environmental policy in the Black Sea Basin. By focusing on digital innovation and participatory governance, the initiative strengthens the link between democracy and sustainability – showing how inclusive local action can contribute to global climate goals.
The project embodies the belief that young people must be active agents in addressing the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Through SG4Y-CLIMATE, they will not only gain the skills and tools to act but also the institutional pathways to ensure their voices meaningfully influence decision-making. In doing so, the project reinforces a vision of shared responsibility between generations, sectors, and borders – a vision where youth climate action becomes both a driver of democratic renewal and a foundation for a greener, more united Black Sea Basin.
