Some environmental projects rely exclusively on figures and reports. Others choose to begin somewhere else: with people, their stories, and the places where climate change is not just a newspaper headline but a street filled with waste, a community searching for new solutions, and a space where people can sit together and discuss what can truly be done for their territory.

This is where the focus group journey of the YOU(th)CARE4planet – Youth Green Initiative for Change project began.

Implemented within the framework of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, the project brought together young people, associations, researchers, and local organizations in Palermo and Casapesenna to exchange experiences, share perspectives, and jointly develop ideas that can be transformed into concrete actions.

A Starting Point: Getting to Know Each Other Before Taking Action

The journey began with an initial meeting dedicated to local organizations.

Before discussing concrete interventions, participants chose to get to know one another, explore the experiences already taking place in the area, and learn about the initiatives that every day help make local communities more aware of environmental challenges.

It was a simple yet essential step: strong networks are built on trust and mutual understanding.

Alongside the participating organizations, a key role was played by the members of the Youth-Led Research Group (YLRG), young people actively involved in the project by gathering perspectives, facilitating dialogue, and contributing to the development of the Local Adaptation Plans (LAPs)—participatory tools designed to identify practical solutions to the needs of local communities.

Danisinni: When a Literary Café Becomes a Space for Dialogue

The Caffè letterario Danisinni hosted one of the most significant meetings of the process: “Environmental Resilience: Dialogue Among Local Organizations.”

Around the same table, organizations working in urban regeneration, environmental education, and civic participation shared

their different experiences and reached a common reflection: many of the most effective collaborations and initiatives risk coming to an end once the projects that created them are completed.

This raised an important question:

how can we build sustainable initiatives that continue to thrive beyond the duration of project funding?

Casapesenna: Two Perspectives on the Same Territory

In Casapesenna, the discussion took on a different perspective.

On one side were those who experience environmental commitment every day through their work with local associations and who reported a growing interest among young people

On the other were those who highlighted the challenges that still affect the area, such as

• illegal waste dumping,
• limited environmental awareness,
• and still relatively low community participation.

These two perspectives on the same territory led to a shared reflection:

how well are we really listening to those who are usually left out of participatory processes?

The discussion generated several practical proposals:

• strengthening collaboration among associations,
• promoting joint fundraising and funding opportunities,
• investing more in environmental education in schools,
• using social media and podcasts as awareness-raising tools,
• and organizing an Ecology Day capable of engaging citizens, schools, and local authorities.

The Role of Science

The process was further enriched by the contribution of scientific research through the participation of Sofia Maria Muscarella, researcher at the Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences of the University of Palermo.

Her presentation explored the issues of drought and desertification in the Mediterranean,

highlighting how soil quality is one of the key factors in increasing the resilience of territories to climate change.

A Journey That Continues

More than a series of meetings, these focus groups created a space for dialogue among young people, associations, researchers, and local communities.

The ideas that emerged will contribute to the development of the Local Adaptation Plans (LAPs) and guide the project’s upcoming activities, turning dialogue into practical tools for strengthening the resilience of local territories.

The project now continues with the online training programme hosted on the YOU(th)CARE4planet e-learning platform, designed for members of the Youth-Led Research Group (YLRG).

Through a series of interactive learning modules, participants will strengthen their knowledge of

• climate resilience,
• environmental sustainability,
• participatory approaches,
• and the co-design of Local Adaptation Plans (LAPs).

Starting in September, the dialogue will return to local communities through the Café Talks, public meetings designed to foster exchange among young people, associations, institutions, and local communities, share good practices, and jointly develop new ideas for a more sustainable future.

Because change does not emerge from a single meeting, but from a shared journey that grows over time through listening, collaboration, and the commitment of people who choose every day to care for their communities.