At the EU level, there is a gap in how digitalisation is addressed in many instruments regarding the green transition. Digitalisation is one of the main drivers of demand for critical raw materials, energy consumption, and the creation of e-waste from consumer electronics. However, in most cases, digitalisation is seen as the enabling force for increased resource-use efficiency, strategic independence in resource management and economic resilience. These overlooked negative effects of digitalisation need to be addressed to advance a truly green digital transition.

The importance of the digital and green transition has been growing on the EU agenda. In March 2023, the European Commission will propose the Critical Raw Materials Act. This act will address the issue of the dependence of our modern (digital) economy on minerals such as lithium, cobalt and copper. Moreover, the European Commission is expected to put forward the proposal for the Right to Repair. By increasing the potential for reuse and repair, this proposal could give the possibility for the consumer to be more proactive in saving resources and reducing the environmental impact of the digital product. Thus, the young, as the main consumer of digital products, could be more involved in the digital circular economy.

Aims:

• Analyse and critically review the Critical Raw Materials Act with a focus on negative impacts of digitalisation and technofix narratives
• Assess the challenges and opportunities created by the Right to Repair.

Policies addressed:

Critical Raw Materials Act, Right to Repair

Deliverables:

• Develop a reaction paper to the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Right to Repair
• Publish the position paper on digitalisation
• Engage in the work and activities of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform and the Industrial Forum
• Collaborate with the Right to Repair campaign to strengthen youth’s voice in the Industrial Forum and the Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

By the end of 2023, the European Commission will propose legally binding targets across the EU as a response to nearly 20% of food produced in the EU being wasted or lost. As EU food systems will continue to be affected by crises and uncertainties, youth acting at the different levels of the food supply chain will play a crucial role in making the transition to a sustainable food system easier. With the legislative framework for sustainable food systems, proposed as one of the Farm to Fork Strategy initiatives, being adopted in 2023, young people and their priorities need to be represented.

The new Common Agricultural Policy entered into force in January 2023, introducing three objectives related to the environment and climate. The transition of consumption patterns needs to be addressed holistically by taking into consideration changes within the whole food supply chain, especially in agricultural practices.

Aims:

• Analyse the role of green nudges and social pricing in the Farm to Fork Strategy
• Analyse and highlight the role of sustainable agricultural practices in the current Common Agricultural Policy
• Assess the opportunities and challenges of digital tools and practices to improve resource management and limit the amount of food waste and loss generated within the context of the Waste Framework Directive

Policies addressed:

Common Agricultural Policy, Farm to Fork Strategy, Waste Framework Directive

Deliverables:

• Develop a policy paper on the role of implementing green nudges into EU policy
• Organise a multi-stakeholder event around the topic of food production and the resilience of food systems to climate change in the framework of the objectives of the new CAP and CAP post-2027
• Interview a key stakeholder on the role of digital tools to combat food waste at the consumer and retailer level and publish their success story on social media
• Engage in the work and activities of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

2023 was announced as the European Year of Skills. The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles also recognises the need of greening skills in the textile sector, however it does not put enough emphasis on the matter. Considering the sector is facing an ageing workforce, there is a lack of tangible proposals for attracting young talents and supporting youth entrepreneurs in contributing to the sector. Moreover, historically the textiles industry was the frontrunner of the industrial revolution and is now slow to catch up with the technological changes of the fourth industrial revolution. Digitally-savvy youth could be a source of innovation in this regard. The EU Pact of Skills was launched in 2021 with one of the focus areas concentrated on the textiles ecosystem. Specifically, it is committed to raising awareness and attractiveness of the textile, clothing, leather and footwear industries.

Aims:

• Understand the challenges and successes of youth entrepreneurs in the textiles industry as well as their priorities in the context of the EU Pact for Skills
• Advocate towards the EU decision-makers on the role of education and skills of youth entrepreneurs in the transformation of the textiles industry

Policies Addressed:

EU Textiles Strategy, Pact for Skills

Deliverables:

• Engage with the relevant networks and platforms gathering youth entrepreneurs in the textiles industry.
• Write an article featuring the work and perspectives of youth entrepreneurs in the textiles industry.
• Bring the work of youth entrepreneurs to various events, platforms and fora.
• Publish a series of social media posts highlighting the success stories of youth entrepreneurs and popularising circular business models.
• Create accessible content about upcoming EU legislative developments on textiles and skills.