Over 25 young professionals from 12 Council of Europe member states came together this week for a study session on the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), organised by the Youth and Environment Europe, the European Young Rewilders and the EUROPARC Youth Council in cooperation with the Council of Europe Youth Department. The event, held from 21 to 25 September 2026, aimed at empowering young people to engage with decisions on European species and habitat conservation. 

 Young people are among those most affected by climate change and biodiversity loss, yet they remain largely excluded from decisions that shape their future. Nature protection and restoration, as well as human-wildlife coexistence, are therefore a matter of intergenerational justice and fall within young peoples’ right to a healthy environment. This was the rationale for all the sessions, that combined whole-group activities with smaller reflection groups, outdoor experiences and collaborative making.

Raising awareness on the Bern Convention and its mechanisms

Informing young people about the Bern Convention is the first step to foster inclusion and know what to advocate for. Marta Medlinska from the Secretariat of the Bern Convention delivered an intervention and answered questions and participants read, discussed and represented the text creatively. 

Equipping young people with skills to engage 

During the study session, participants explored and put into practice tools for advocacy and engagement, including through a mock Standing Committee session where they re-created the case of the Presumed negative impact of hydro-power plant development.

Foster youth inclusion in the Bern Convention decisions

After learning how youth are currently engaged in the Council of Europe, participants reflected also on the inclusion of youth currently within the Bern Convention, whereby the Youth and Environment Europe is the only youth observer, and came up with recommendations to further improve youth engagement. The conclusions were informed by reflections on meaningful youth involvement, using the downgrading of the wolf protection status as a case study.

Create a platform for multicultural exchange

The study session was grounded in an exchange of views, experiences and ideas between people that live across 12 countries, with different backgrounds and knowledge. Each participant brought their cultural perspective to nature conservation and restoration and youth inclusion, contributing to more inclusive outputs. 

All the takeaways and learnings from the sessions were translated into a zine, created collectively by participants, and a personal action plan to amplify what they have experienced during the event.