Building Activists: Empowering Youth for Climate Action

Over the month of August (5, 6, 11 & 12th), more than 30 young people in Chaves, Portugal,  came together for a series of workshops called “Activista em Construção” (Building Activists). These trainings are part of the international ECHOES Project. 

The aim was simple but powerful: to give young people from the rural area of Trás-os-Montes,  the tools, knowledge, and confidence to become active citizens and climate activists in their communities, and doing so thought the implementation of the CADPRO, a toolkit developed within ECHOES to help youth workers train and empower young people. It gathers methods, activities, and strategies that can be easily adapted to different local realities, ensuring that every community can build its own activists. During the sessions, participants explored topics such as:

• Understanding the climate crisis and its local impacts.
  
  
• How political decisions are made and how youth can influence them.
  
  
• Creative ways to mobilize and communicate about climate action and climate advocacy.
  
  
• Practical exercises to strengthen teamwork, leadership, and public speaking.
  
  

The workshops were designed using non-formal education methods, which meant lots of interaction, games, and reflection moments. Beyond the learning outcomes, it also created a space for young people to share their own ideas and experiences, building a stronger sense of community and common purpose. The sessions showed that when young people are given space and support, they are ready to step up as changemakers. It was not only a training, but the beginning of a network of motivated youth determined to raise their voices for climate justice within their local community.