Zaragoza as a Local Bridge for Youth Climate Action

VALS organised the final ECHOES dissemination event on 14 March 2026 at the VALS Office in Zaragoza, bringing together 20 participants to present the project’s main activities, learning process and results. The event introduced the ECHOES framework, the outcomes developed by VALS, and the role of young people in the local activities, followed by an open space for questions, comments and exchange.

The event was designed as a participatory closing moment rather than a formal presentation only. Participants actively engaged in discussion, shared their perspectives on youth participation, sustainability and local environmental action, and used the networking session to explore possible future cooperation. This helped keep the ECHOES results visible beyond the official project period.

The atmosphere of the event reflected one of the main ideas of ECHOES: young people’s climate voices become stronger when they are connected to local spaces, trusted organisations and real conversations. By hosting the event in its own office, VALS created a warm and accessible setting where the project results could be shared not as distant outputs, but as living tools for future community action.

In Zaragoza, ECHOES found a very natural local meaning. The project’s focus on climate awareness, youth participation and democratic engagement fits well with the city’s growing need for community-based sustainability initiatives. Through VALS’ work, the ECHOES approach became connected to local stakeholders, young people and organisations that can continue using the project results in environmental education, civic participation and local sustainability actions. In this sense, Zaragoza was not only a place where the project was disseminated, but also a place where its ideas could continue to travel.