The European Youth in Parks Day is a commemorative day for Protected Areas across Europe involving young people in their daily work.
European Youth in Parks Day
European Youth in Parks Day is a celebration of the passion, energy and ideas young people bring to Protected Areas across Europe. It is open to all
Each year on the 15 September, we invite Protected Areas and young people to organise local events and activities to celebrate European Youth in Parks Day. The EUROPARC Youth Council chose the theme of Nature Restoration, as they would like to collect photos and videos of young people to showcase at the EUROPARC Conference in Lithuania in October!
You can participate in three ways:
1. Youth Advocacy:
Block the 15th of September in your park’s social media calendar and make some noise about the great opportunities you currently have for children and youth in your park. Consider sharing some stories about young people volunteering in the park or interviewing some young apprentices or volunteers!
2. Youth Activation:
Plan an event the weekend before or after for young people to volunteer in nature restoration activities and be sure to promote it through local media outlets. Consider using this as a kick-off event for a Junior Ranger or Youth+ programme and don’t forget to and submit your best photo for the competition!
3. Youth Leadership:
If you already have an active local youth group like (but not limited to) Junior Rangers and Youth+, then invite them to take over the planning for an event that fits their needs! Do they want to host a festival? A movie night? A litter-picking event? Let them choose and support them to gain vital skills!
By sharing your stories, photos and videos, you help raise the profile of youth work across the nature conservation sector. Together, we can show that when young people are active in nature, they make a real difference.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the events in 2023 – 2025!
Let’s join forces on the European Youth in Parks Day and celebrate the youth work in our Protected Areas!
General Guidelines
The European Youth In Parks Day is a celebration of the wonderful work that young people and Protected Areas are doing together!
When?
15th of September each year. You are welcome to run events in the week before or after as best suits your schedule.
Join in!
Organise an event with the kids and young adults in your Park on or the weekend before or after the 15th of September and celebrate youth work with Parks across Europe!
Partners
Junior Rangers @ Neusiedlersee
(a) Do you already have a Junior Ranger or a Youth+ programme?
This is your chance to activate their leadership qualities by facilitating a youth-led activity. This activity can either be for themselves, for one another, or for the young people in the local community to bring them all together and connect with your Park.
(b) Do you have partnerships with schools, youth organisations or other youth in the local community?
Then consider a joint activity for the young people in the local community to bring them together and connect with your Park.
Plan your Activity
Do you need some inspiration? Find some example activities below and perhaps tailor them to the theme!
- Bio Blitz: learning how to identify local species
- Outdoor sport: hiking, cycling, canoeing
- Nature restoration: planting native species, removing invasives
- Wild foraging: learning which things are edible and which not
- Local sustainable festival: plant swaps, local food, clothes swaps, music
Don’t forget to register your event so that it will appear on the map with the following details:
Share your Stories
The Junior Rangers in the Cairngorms National Park on European Youth in Parks Day. Photo credit: Will George
When posting on your social media on the 15th September, please tag us and use the hashtag #YouthInParksDay and #StrongerWithYouth
- Instagram and Facebook: @EUROPARC.youth
- LinkedIn: EUROPARC Federation
Photo Competition
We would love to see your top photo(s) of the day that embodies the theme! We will select the best photos and use these in the following media:
- In EUROPARC’s Annual Report magazine that goes out to all members
- As the EUROPARC Junior Ranger Facebook Page Cover for the year
- On the cover of the #YouthInParksDay Report
Email them to us along with the name of the photographer and the following disclaimer:
“Without expectation of compensation or other remuneration, now or in the future, I hereby give my consent to EUROPARC Federation to use the photo(s) and video(s) I have submitted in their communication on online platforms and print media. This consent is given in perpetuity and does not require prior approval by me”
Send us your Feedback
We would love to hear how the experience was and what advice you think first timers should be given ahead of the event for next year.
The European Youth in Parks Day is made possible through funding of the LIFE Programme. Views and opinions do not necessarily reflect that of the European Commission or of CINEA.