Through this joint effort, we seek to recognize the role of young people as protagonists of climate action and socio-environmental justice, highlighting work that is transforming their communities through concrete solutions in the four pillars of the Ibero-American Environmental Charter : climate change, biodiversity, water resources, and waste management.

The most notable initiatives from all countries will be compiled in a digital publication, and the eight with the greatest impact will be presented during the Pre-COP30 in Brasilia, Brazil, on October 13, a high-level event leading up to the major United Nations climate summit.

Registration or submission of initiatives is open until August 30. Based on the proposals received, a committee comprised of SEGIB (Spanish Institute of Business and Industry) and supported by the OIJ (OJ) will select at least two initiatives per country and eight for each thematic area, thus forming a regional pool of good practices.

"Ibero-American youth are not only the most affected by the impacts of climate change, but are also one of the most creative and committed forces in the search for solutions. This project is an opportunity to recognize and amplify their voice as a key player on the global stage and, with their proposals, address the challenges posed by the Ibero-American Environmental Charter," says Andrés Allamand, Ibero-American Secretary General.

For his part, Alexandre Pupo, Secretary General of the International Youth Organization for Ibero-America , "this project is part of the Road to COP30 that we are promoting together with Ibero-American governments and, in particular, with the Brazilian government, as a strategic commitment to recognize and promote the leading role of youth in the defense of socio-environmental justice . Their voice and actions are not incidental, but rather crucial in building transformative solutions to the climate crisis. At the same time, this initiative reaffirms the urgency for the international community to give priority attention and decisive support to youth participation in the processes and projects that will shape the future of our planet."

With this initiative, SEGIB and OIJ reinforce their commitment to building public policies that incorporate the vision, energy, and leadership of Ibero-American youth in environmental protection and the advancement of the Ibero-American Environmental Charter, approved by the Heads of State and Government at the Santo Domingo Summit (2023). In it, the 22 countries agreed to work to address the triple planetary crisis: climate change, increasing pollution, and biodiversity loss) and preserve a healthy environment for future generations .