On 12 March 2025, ICLEI Europe joined forces with UWC Robert Bosch College in Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany), for an inspiring workshop as part of the school’s annual Liveable Cities Week. The interactive session brought together around 20 students, aged 16-20, and focused on co-developing the NBS EduWORLD Youth Inclusion Toolkit for Local Authorities to be released inJune 2025. Led by ICLEI experts Clotilde Mahé, Shreya Utkarsh, and Simon Racé, the workshop explored innovative ways to empower youth participation in decision-making, particularly through creative tools such as Hackathons, Youth Councils, Board Games, and Role-Playing.

Students actively contributed to the discussion by evaluating the pros and cons of each youth inclusion tool, offering practical suggestions based on their experiences. Key insights emphasised the effectiveness of Youth Councils for long-term engagement, the appeal of video games with sustainability themes, and the potential of competitions and hackathons to spark creativity among youth. One student noted, “In some cultures, youth voices are not always valued,” while another cautioned, “The risk with role-playing games is that some young people will not take it seriously; it depends on personalities.”

The collaboration between ICLEI Europe and UWC Robert Bosch College showcased the value of youth perspectives in shaping more inclusive approaches to sustainability. Both institutions share a commitment to empowering the next generation of changemakers, and this workshop served as an excellent platform for students to see how their contributions can make a difference.

Looking ahead, ICLEI Europe hopes to further strengthen this partnership by engaging UWC students in future Liveable Cities Week activities or involving them in ongoing sustainability activities. By fostering these collaborations, both institutions can continue to promote sustainability, innovation, and youth empowerment on a local and global scale.