Get to know the Youth Advisory Board of the Julian Alps!

The EUROPARC Youth Manifesto calls upon Parks and Protected Areas across Europe to get young people involved across all areas of Park Management. Ente Parco Naturale delle Prealpi Giulie answered to the call and established a Youth Advisory Board in their park!

Youth is ready to lead – that is the message that young people across Europe collected in the EUROPARC Youth Manifesto. However, they need to be given space to do so.

Parks and Protected Areas are well placed to give young people in rural areas a voice. EUROPARC wants to support management bodies in doing so, be it through the Junior Ranger and Youth+ Programmes, or with the development of the Youth Manifesto. We want to champion success stories, because we know that Parks and Protected Areas are #StrongerWithYouth! Is your Park implementing the Youth Manifesto? Be sure to contact us under communications@europarc.org or use the #StrongerWithYouth so we can highlight your efforts!

Background of the Youth Advisory Board in Biosphere Reserve Prealpi Giulie

Young people in the Biosphere Reserve were active in the Youth Manifesto project of 2018. In 2019 the Youth Advisory Board was established in the Park. The areas of the Prealpi Giulie Nature Park was established as a MAB Biosphere Reserve in 2019. As such, in total it encompasses a territory of 11 Italian municipalities of the north-eastern part of the Friuli Region. As with many other rural areas young people tend to leave these places in search of more comfort in big cities. Often, they are not aware of the cultural and natural heritage that surrounds them and the opportunities that these places can give to young people. Additionally, often institutions have trouble reaching young people, so there was the need for a “young point of view”.

At EUROPARC we know how important it is to involve the next generation in the work of Protected Areas, to guarantee these places are well managed in the future.

The Park hat the same idea and wanted to involve young generations in the life of the territory and spread awareness about the natural heritage. Additionally, they knew that involving young people would result in fresh suggestions and proposals and, at the same time, cooperate and create a bond with the youngsters from the area, preventing them from leaving.

Springing into action

So, to keep young people connected to the area they grew up in, the Youth Advisory Board was established! On the board are almost 25 participants from 11 municipalities between 16 and 30 years. It gives them an opportunity to create informative meetings that deal with contemporary and sustainable topics and organize social events, such as festivals or hiking trips.

The idea is not just to get young people from the area involved, but also to inspire young people from all over Europe to start having an active role in their Protected Areas.