Challenges, Opportunities and Ideas for the Youth Caucus

Challenges, Opportunities and Ideas for the Youth Caucus Beyond the Transition Assembly

Challenges to Youth Involvement in the Transition Movement

As young people looking to engage in the transition movement, we recognise several challenges that could make meaningful involvement difcult. If these aren’t addressed, participation risks being unsustainable, tokenistic, or inaccessible.

1. Scope: How Do We Fit In?

Right now, it’s not always clear how young people can be fully involved in shaping the movement’s future.

●​ Bigger involvement is needed – We don’t want this to be just a few people in small groups; there needs to be space for wider participation at all levels.

●​ Not just side conversations – Young people should have ongoing input in the movement’s main decision-making spaces, not just occasional meetings.

●​ Paid roles matter – If participation relies on unpaid labour, it’s not accessible. There should be clear, paid opportunities for young people to take on roles within the movement, or opportunities for professional development.

2. Collaboration: We Don’t Want to Just ‘Help Out’

Young people’s involvement should be meaningful and equal, not just as helpers.

●​ It must be genuinely collaborative – We want to be part of shaping the movement, not just participating in pre-set agendas.

●​ Mutually benefcial – ‘Transactional’ involvement (where young people are expected to contribute without receiving meaningful support) isn’t sustainable.

●​ Learning should go both ways – We want reciprocal relationships where we learn from experienced activists, but where our knowledge and ideas are also valued.

3. Clarity: What Is Our Role?

A big challenge is understanding where we ft in.

●​ What actually is the role of transition groups? – It’s not always clear how these groups work or how young people can get involved in shaping them.

●​ Without a clear pathway to involvement, it’s hard to know where to start.

4. Burnout: We Need Support, Not Just Work

●​ Many of us have seen activists burn out because they’re expected to do too much with too little support.

●​ If young people are involved, there need to be clear structures of care and support, not just expectations to take on more responsibility.

●​ We know these ways of working aren’t sustainable, yet as activists, we still push ourselves to the brink of burnout. It’s time to reimagine our approach—one that is sustainable, supportive, and defes the demands of the attention economy and capitalist work culture.

5. We Want to Do More Than Just One Thing

●​ A range of activities is important to us – we want to engage in ways that feel meaningful and refect our varied and versatile skills and interests.

●​ If involvement is rigid or repetitive, it’s harder to stay engaged.

●​ There needs to be fexibility and creativity in how young people can take part.

6. Sustainability: This Has to Last

For our involvement in the movement to be real and long-term, it must also be sustainable.

Currently, retirees make up a signifcant proportion of the Transition Movement - many of whom have the fnancial security of savings and property, enabling them to volunteer their time. In contrast, younger generations must work to support themselves through the ongoing cost of living and rental crisis while also facing the long-term impacts of the climate crisis. For those of us committed to this cause, we must strive to make this work emotionally, psychologically, and be financially sustainable.

●​ Financial sustainability – If young people can’t aford to engage, they won’t. The movement needs funding and paid opportunities.

●​ Emotional sustainability – If participation is exhausting or overwhelming, young people won’t stay involved.

●​ The dream is the solution" - we don’t want to lose sight of big, transformative ideas because they feel too difcult. The challenges we face demand bold imagination, and what may seem impossible today can become the foundation for a better future if we dare to pursue it.

7. Local Groups: Real Involvement, Not Tokenism

●​ Young people need to be fully included, not just brought in to ‘tick a box’.

●​ Intergenerational collaboration is key – We don’t want separate ‘youth spaces’; we want to be part of shaping the movement as a whole.

●​ Not ‘othering’ – Young people shouldn’t be seen as outsiders or a group to ‘consult’; we should be embedded in decision-making.

●​ Again, it can’t be transactional – If young people are only included in surface-level ways, it won’t lead to real change.

Final Thoughts

We want to be part of the transition movement in a way that is sustainable, impactful, and fulflling. That means ensuring young people’s involvement is genuinely valued, that we have clear roles, and that we can participate without burning out or indefnitely working for free.If these challenges are addressed, young people will be able to play a real role in shaping the

future of the movement.

Opportunities & Ideas for Strengthening Youth Involvement

These ideas come from young people within the Transition Movement who are thinking about how to make youth involvement more visible, accessible, and impactful. If young people are going to shape the future of the movement, we need real opportunities, structural support, and meaningful connections—not just occasional involvement.

This is about making sure young people feel valued, have a clear place in the movement, and are supported to help drive real change.

1. Enhancing Visibility & Awareness

Right now, it can be hard to see where young people ft into the movement. To get more involved, we need to be more visible, more connected, and more recognised.

●​ More Youth Representation – Young people need to be in the main decision-making spaces, not just side projects. We should be present at events, in leadership roles, and shaping the direction of the movement.

●​ Sharing Local & Regional Stories – There are already amazing youth-led initiatives happening, but they’re not always heard about. We need to amplify these stories to inspire others and show what’s possible.

●​ Advocacy for Policy Change (National & Local) – If we want real change, we need to push for policies that support youth-led work. This means campaigning for funding, inclusion in local decision-making, and climate-focused local and national policies that beneft young people.

2. Building a Strong Mentorship & Knowledge Exchange Network

Young people don’t just need opportunities—we need guidance, connections, and the chance to learn from experienced people in the movement.

●​ Youth Mentorship Programme – A structured mentorship system would help young people fnd their place in the movement and build confdence. This could include:

○​ Support for idea development – Training, guidance and resources to help young people turn their visions into action.

○​ Debates and discussion forums – Creating spaces to share ideas and challenge each other.

○​ Learning opportunities – Ofering training, resources, and skill-building workshops.

○​ Networking with experienced activists – Building real connections between new and long-time members.

●​ Facilitating Youth Employment & Live Training – If we want young people to be involved long-term, we need real opportunities, not just volunteering. This could mean:

○​ Paid internships & job roles within the movement.

○​ Live projects where young people can learn skills and contribute in real ways.

○​ Opportunities for leadership & responsibility.

●​ Promoting Networking & Cross-Group Learning – We don’t want isolated youth groups; we want to be collaborating across communities, sharing knowledge, and working together on local, regional and national levels.

3. Strengthening Community & Local Involvement

Young people ofen want to be involved where they live, but it’s not always clear how. Stronger community connections will make it easier for young people to take part.

●​ Prioritising Local Involvement – There need to be clear entry points for young people to get involved in local Transition groups, making sure participation is relevant and meaningful.

●​ Encouraging Collaboration Opportunities – Young people don’t want to just be in separate ‘youth spaces’—we want to work alongside others, learn from diferent perspectives, and contribute to the bigger picture.

4. Digital & Technological Engagement

If we want to reach more young people, we have to meet them where they are—which means better online tools, platforms, and digital spaces.

●​ Using Technology for Awareness & Participation – Digital tools can help more young people fnd out about the movement, connect with others, and take action.

●​ Developing a Strong Social Media Strategy – Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube can make climate action and transition work more visible and relatable. This means:

○​ Sharing youth-led projects.

○​ Creating accessible explainers & toolkits.

○​ Using video and storytelling to inspire action.

●​ Building an Interactive Website & Online Resources – There needs to be a clear hub for young people to fnd opportunities, events, training, and ways to connect.

5. Strengthening Organisational Structure & Leadership

Young people don’t just want to join in - we want to help shape the movement. To do that, we need leadership structures that support and empower us.

●​ Creating a Youth Steering Group – A group of young people helping guide strategy and making sure youth voices infuence decision-making. This means:

○​ Setting clear goals.

○​ Defning responsibilities and leadership roles.

○​ Making sure young leaders have infuence.

●​ Developing Models for Other Organisations – Once we have a strong youth structure, we can share best practices and help other organisations bring young people into leadership roles.

6. Expanding the Reach & Infuence of Youth in Transition

The transition movement can’t just be urban or regional - we need more diversity and inclusion across diferent communities.

●​ Expanding Engagement to Rural & Urban Communities – Many young people in rural areas feel disconnected from activism. There need to be ways to bridge the gap and create accessible entry points for everyone.

●​ Enhancing Recruitment & Support Systems – Young people who are new to the movement need guidance, onboarding, and clear pathways to involvement.

●​ Encouraging Cross-Professional & Intergenerational Collaboration – There’s huge potential for young people to work with climate professionals, educators, businesses,and older activists.

●​ Bringing in Fresh Perspectives & New Voices – The movement should always feel open and welcoming, especially to young people from diferent backgrounds and experiences.

●​ Strengthening Connections with Friends & Networks – The best way to grow a movement is through grassroots, personal connections. There should be peer-led initiatives that encourage more young people to join. This could be headed up by young people already within the movement.

7. Fostering Inner Transformation & Storytelling

Beyond practical action, we need spaces for refection, creativity, and storytelling—because change isn’t just about action, it’s about how we see the world and our role in it.

●​ Sharing Youth Stories & Experiences – Young people’s voices should be at the heart of the movement—using blogs, videos, art, and performance to express ideas and experiences.

●​ Strengthening the Connection Between Youth & Ecology – A deeper understanding of environmental justice and social change can help sustain long-term engagement.

●​ Encouraging Meaningful Conversations – Spaces for discussion, refection, and storytelling will help young people feel more connected, valued, and inspired.

Final Thoughts

For young people to stay involved, we need:

●​ Real roles, not just token representation.

●​ Financial support and paid opportunities - we’re in this for the long run!

●​ Mentorship, networking, and leadership structures.

●​ A movement that is open, accessible, and fexible.

Possible Ideas for the Youth Caucus Beyond the Assembly

This list is not exhaustive and to be continued…

1. Increasing Youth Visibility & Representation

●​ Ensuring Youth Voices in Decision-Making – Youth Caucus members actively participate in National Transition meetings and discussions, making youth perspectives more present in Transition leadership.

●​ Sharing Youth-Led Perspectives – Publish a series of short refections, updates, or interviews showcasing young people’s experiences in the movement and transition-adjacent projects.

●​ Advocating for Paid Youth Roles – Work towards securing ongoing funding for youth involvement by raising awareness of the fnancial barriers to engagement.

2. Building Mentorship & Skill-Sharing

●​ Setting Up a Mentorship System – Developing a model that best fts the group. Some options might be:

○​ Youth-to-Youth Mentorship – When young people join the movement they are paired with a more long-standing young member/Youth Caucus.

○​ Intergenerational Mentorship – Older Transition members mentor younger members/Youth Caucus, sharing skills and knowledge.

○​ Reciprocal Mentorship – Younger/Youth Caucus and older activists mentor each other, fostering mutual learning.

●​ Short Online Learning Sessions – Host bite-sized skill-sharing workshops on practical topics, such as public speaking, organising, or movement-building.

●​ Facilitating Knowledge Exchange – Organise monthly discussions where intergenerational members and activists share ideas and insights.

3. Strengthening Local Youth Engagement

●​ Creating a Guide for Young People in Transition – A simple document explaining how young people can get involved, where to start, and what support exists.

●​ Creating a Guide for Transition to Engage Younger Audiences – A pack to support the wider Transition Movement and local groups to engage and work with younger people.

●​ Mapping Youth Involvement – Identify existing youth-led Transition initiatives and amplify their stories to inspire further engagement.

●​ Expanding Local Youth Networks – Existing Caucus members to invite other young people to attend Transition meetings or events, working to grow the network.

4. Digital Presence & Online Engagement

●​ Lightweight Social Media Strategy – Share simple, engaging content showcasing youth voices, stories and perspectives.

●​ Short Video Storytelling – Record informal videos of young activists sharing their experiences and stories, using accessible platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok.

●​ Creating a Digital Connection Space – Establish an easy-to-use online community (e.g. WhatsApp, Discord, or Vive) where young people can stay connected, share ideas, and collaborate.

5. Securing Future Funding & Sustainability

●​ Applying for Small-Scale Grants – Identify and submit at least one funding application to support youth-led work beyond the initial 6 months.

●​ Exploring Potential Partnerships – Research organisations, funders, or academic institutions that could ofer support for long-term youth engagement.

●​ Demonstrating Impact – Collect testimonies, refections, and progress updates to document the value of youth involvement and strengthen future funding applications.

6. Community Storytelling & Creative Expression

●​ Publishing Personal & Collective Refections – Share experiences through short blog posts, creative writing, or personal refections on the movement.

●​ Creating a Zine or Digital Resource – Compile perspectives into a simple, accessible resource that can be shared online or in print.

●​ Hosting Informal Conversations – Organise relaxed, open discussion spaces (virtual or in-person) where young people and/or intergenerational transition members can refect on their involvement, exchange ideas, and build community.