You-Cycle International Online Event

On 26 September 2025, the YOU-Cycle partnership hosted a two-hour international online event bringing together young people, youth workers and sustainability-focused organisations from across Europe. The aim was simple: to understand what young people need in order to engage meaningfully in circular economy and social innovation.

The session opened with a short introduction to the agenda and to the five organisations behind the project. Participants then received an overview of the main YOU-Cycle results so far, including the youth and youth worker trainings, the impact hubs, the practical guide and handbook, and the audiovisual learning “pills.” A quick tour of the YOU-Cycle online platform highlighted how participants can continue accessing resources and stay connected through the network.

Most of the event focused on interactive breakout discussions. In small groups, participants explored the barriers that prevent young people from starting circular or social initiatives, the support systems they are missing, and what a stronger youth ecosystem should look like. They also shared ideas on how circular education can become more practical and what is needed to keep youth hubs active over time. Across all groups, common themes emerged: young people want to contribute, but face complex procedures, limited mentoring, few dedicated spaces and a lack of clear entry points.

Back in the plenary, rapporteurs summarised the insights, which will feed directly into the upcoming YOU-Cycle Policy Brief. The event closed with an outline of the next steps and an invitation to remain active on the YOU-Cycle platform.

Overall, the YOU-Cycle International Online Event confirmed that young people have the motivation and ideas to act—what they need now are simpler pathways and supportive environments that allow their initiatives to grow.

Project funded by: Erasmus + Program, through the Spanish National Agency, Instituto de la Juventud de España (INJUVE).

Organized by: EIG – European Integration Group (Türkiye), EKO – Entrepreneurship and Social Economy Group (Greece), IRCEM – Research Institute for Circular Economy and Environment “Ernest Lupan” (Romania), YouthProaktiv (Belgium) and Espacio Geranios (Spain).