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New research from a European project has found that many young people are staying out of discussions on climate change and the green transition because they feel ignored by political systems and decision-makers.
The study was conducted by AKTI NGO together with the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research and the environmental organisation Nature Trust FEE Malta, as part of the RESIsles project. It examined attitudes and experiences in Cyprus, Greece and Malta, focusing on youth participation in environmental decision-making.
In total, 381 people took part in the research through surveys, interviews and interactive activities such as local events, workshops and so-called co-creation cafés. Despite being more knowledgeable about the climate crisis than any generation before them, young people were found to be increasingly disengaged from democratic processes linked to environmental policy.
According to the findings, this withdrawal is not due to apathy but to deep-rooted structural obstacles. Participants repeatedly described a sense of “political invisibility,” saying they feel excluded from decision-making and unconvinced that their views have any real impact. When efforts to participate fail to bring tangible outcomes, frustration grows and often turns into exhaustion and, eventually, non-participation.
The research also points to low levels of trust in institutions. Many young respondents said they do not believe public bodies act in the interest of society as a whole. Others admitted they lack clear and reliable information about how to get involved, where to turn, or which authorities are responsible for environmental decisions.
Practical barriers further discourage engagement. Two-thirds of participants identified inadequate infrastructure as a major obstacle to both civic participation and the green transition. Issues such as the absence of deposit-return recycling schemes, poor public transport, limited access to recycling facilities and the high cost of environmentally friendly choices were cited as factors that make sustainable behaviour feel inaccessible.
In addition, 42% of respondents said they are unsure where to find opportunities to participate or how to navigate existing participation mechanisms, highlighting a lack of transparency and clarity in public engagement processes.
Commenting on the results, AKTI’s board president, Dr Xenia I. Loizidou, said the findings depict a generation that is motivated and informed but sidelined by the system. She stressed that young people are not rejecting participation outright; rather, they have not been provided with trustworthy, accessible and effective ways to engage, or with reassurance that their contributions genuinely matter. She expressed hope that these messages would be taken seriously by policymakers.
