About Us

Generation Climate Europe (GCE) is the largest coalition of youth-led networks on climate and environmental issues at the European level. GCE unites the largest youth-led networks, bringing together 381 national organisations across 46 countries in Europe. We are guided by the voices of over 20 million young Europeans. GCE creates a platform for youth to advocate for a just and green transition in Europe. GCE envisions a system that respects human rights and the planet, that includes the voice of youth, and that acknowledges our common but differentiated responsibility in achieving a carbon-neutral and sustainable world.

About the Role

Each year, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) organises a Conference of Parties (COP), where decision-makers across the world meet and decide the future of global climate action. After the mixed results of COP30, the team is now preparing for the upcoming COP31, which will take place in November 2026 in Antalya, Turkey. GCE strives to engage with COP31 by bringing together youth voices from all over Europe and advocating for decisive, effective, and just climate action. As an organisation accredited to the UNFCCC, the responsibility of representing GCE and its member organisations is the top priority, alongside engaging in the process in a responsible and adaptable manner.

We are looking for a Project Lead (PL) for COP31 Partnerships, who will spearhead the team’s strategic partnerships with our Member Organisations (MOs), key decision-makers at European institutions, and other youth organisations and networks. They will engage with other organisations to explore potential areas of collaboration and support, maintain various existing partnerships while fostering new partnerships, as well as be the team’s external liaison. 

Please note that this is a volunteer role.

Tasks

Strategic Partnerships

• Co-develop and implement the COP31 strategic partnerships plan, maintaining existing relationships and cultivating new high-value partnerships where relevant and productive.
• Maintain a structured up-to-date tracking system of partnerships, engagements and key contacts.
• Liaise with GCE Member Organisations’ contact points to ensure alignment, coordination and visibility of GCE priorities.
• Liaise with GCE Working Group Coordinators to integrate thematic priorities and identify partnership opportunities.
• Coordinate actions and priorities with European youth organisations (e.g. YFJ, YEE) and other key youth stakeholders, by attending meetings and finding cooperation opportunities.
• Conduct targeted outreach to youth organisations in the COP31 host country to strengthen local collaboration and political positioning.

Political Outreach and Representation

• Lead outreach and bilateral engagement with European and international decision-makers in the lead-up to and during COP/SB negotiations, including organising meetings.
• Coordinate outreach to national delegations and pavilions to establish joint initiatives, collaborations and speaking opportunities.
• Support the COP31 Events Team identifying and securing partners to co-host events, as well as speakers within strategic partners and GCE Member Organisations.
• Assume GCE’s role on the Children & Youth Pavilion (C&YP) Steering Committee, including attending bi-weekly meetings.
• Represent GCE at climate events throughout the year with the objective of always finding new partners and collaborators for GCE’s COP31 team in terms of:
  • Fundraising opportunities
  • Training opportunities
  • Action and initiatives collaborations
  • Events organisation
  • Hosting opportunities in Turkey during COP31

Internal Coordination

• Lead the COP31 Partnerships Team (2–3 Project Officers), including convening weekly meetings, coordinating work allocation and timelines.
• Report back to COP Coordinators on partnership developments, risks and opportunities.
• Attend weekly meetings with COP31 Coordinators and Project Leads, monthly COP31 team meetings and monthly GCE Coordinators and Leads meetings.

About you 

• Strong familiarity with UNFCCC processes, negotiation structures, and previous COP outcomes. Previous attendance at a COP or SB is highly desirable.
• Previous experience(s) in youth climate organizations and extensive knowledge about EU climate policy 
• Solid understanding of EU policymaking processes and the role of EU institutions and Member States within the COP context.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining strategic partnerships, particularly within the climate and youth space.
• Established networks within the European and/or international climate and youth ecosystems is an asset.
• Proven experience leading and coordinating teams of motivated young professionals, with the ability to set direction, delegate effectively, and ensure accountability.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, particularly in maintaining structured tracking systems for partnerships, contacts and political engagements.
• Confident in engaging with high-level stakeholders (policymakers, negotiators, institutional representatives) both in writing and in bilateral settings.
• Proactive, solution-oriented and comfortable taking initiative in fast-paced political environments.
• Comfortable using Google Suite and common virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, Google Meet).
• Available to commit approximately 5–6 hours per week (flexible), with increased availability during peak moments (e.g. SBs, pre-COP, COP).
• High proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Academic or practical background in international relations, climate policy, EU affairs or related fields is an asset but not required.
• Preferably based within a timezone between -2 and +2 hours of CET/CEST.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you have any questions or if you have not received a response within three weeks, please reach out to us at people@gceurope.org