Problem Statement: To address climate change, young people need to be excited, engaged and informed advocates. Youth active on climate in groups throughout Northeast Ohio have not yet been connected to build a formidable front for advocacy and action. They need to be united to make a difference.

Target Group: Climate active youth in Northeast Ohio and climate change.

Proposed Solution: Cleveland Hub started the NEO Youth Climate Future Forum to activate youth voices in the dialogue and action on climate change and resilience in Northeast Ohio. The Forum is creating a platform to bring together a growing youth climate network in the region to exchange ideas and lessons, share learnings, and support training opportunities.

Hub Activities: The Forum brought together a group of about 300 vibrant, passionate, and environmentally conscious young people from seven counties in the region for a weekend-long virtual exchange of knowledge, experiences, and preparation for collective action in October 2020. The event featured a combination of keynote speakers, panel discussions, breakout workshops, intergenerational dialogue, and a career panel. The Hub led the planning, facilitation and sharing of learnings from the event.

Short & Long-Term Goals/Results: 

1. Engage a diverse population of young people to engage, learn, and take climate action 


2. Center the voices of young people in the local climate action discourse


3. Foster the collective power of youth \


4. Explore avenues to support young people take climate action 


5. Empower young people to mobilize and take collective action toward addressing climate change locally. 

Available Metrics: 

Collaborators:  Drink Local Drink Tap, Black Environmental Leaders, Ohio Environmental Council, MyCom Cleveland, Cleveland Foundation, and Gund Foundation as well as middle school, high school and college students who supported the co-design of the event through town hall meetings and feedback.

Website: https://neoclimatefuture.org/