For three days, 100 young people aged 18 to 29 from the 27 EU Member States gathered in Brussels. The goal? To understand the decline of pollinators and explore ways to reverse it. This unprecedented initiative, launched by the European Commission, also aims to explore the role young people can play in the governance of biodiversity. Here’s a look back at the first session.
Coming from all 27 EU countries and speaking one of the 24 official languages, these young participants represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds—students, workers, job seekers. In terms of education, 55% have secondary-level qualifications, 27% higher education, and 18% no formal training. The group is nearly gender-balanced (48% male, 51% female, and 1% non-binary) and geographically diverse: 20% from rural areas, 44% from major cities, and 36% from small towns or suburbs.
When asked about their views, 76% consider climate change a very serious issue, while 6% see it as not concerning. Regarding the European Union, nearly half (48%) have a positive opinion, while 18% view it negatively.
Over three sessions of three days each, from September to March, participants are tasked with answering two central questions: What actions are needed to reverse the decline of pollinators in the EU? What role should young Europeans play in the future of biodiversity governance?
During this first session, they explored the topic, met experts and European Commission representatives, and by the end of the weekend, defined their initial work priorities.
The Assembly opened with small-group sessions, allowing participants to get to know one another and discover the program ahead. A first highlight was the Biodiversity Fresco workshop, an interactive tool that explores the links between pollinators, ecosystems, and human well-being. Based on IPBES findings, this visual workshop helps explain the pressures threatening biodiversity.
These discussions were enriched by a variety of expert perspectives—pollinator biologists, naturalists, ecologists, agricultural system specialists, urban policy and greening practitioners, and policy and finance analysts. The verdict was unanimous: pollinators are in sharp decline due to habitat loss, intensive agriculture, pesticides, climate change, invasive species, and pollution. This decline poses serious risks to ecosystem health, food security, and biodiversity.
The day ended on an inspiring note with a visit to Refresh Brussels, a social enterprise restaurant promoting sustainable cuisine made from rooftop-grown produce. Participants discovered a protected habitat for pollinators and gained a concrete understanding of their vital role: fruits and vegetables grown on a Brussels rooftop – thanks to pollinators – end up directly on our plates!
The Assembly continued in plenary for its second day. Participants met policy experts and representatives from the European Commission to deepen their understanding of current EU biodiversity policies.
In the afternoon, the floor was open for discussion: young participants engaged directly with various stakeholders to identify key barriers and explore possible solutions together.
The day culminated in a direct dialogue with European leaders, including Martin Hojsík, Vice-President of the European Parliament; Andreja Viher White, Slovenia’s Ambassador to the EU; and Eric Mamer, Director-General for Environment at the European Commission. For the young participants, it was a unique opportunity to make their voices heard; for the leaders, a reminder of how much they rely on future generations.
To close the session, participants gathered in groups of ten to reflect on what they had learned and to answer a key question: Where can our Assembly make a real impact?
This discussion helped them define their action priorities and affirm their role as engaged European citizens. They also identified what they would need for the next sessions, emphasizing that young people are not just participants but the driving force at the heart of the process.
The session concluded with the creation of four “task forces”: Communication, Artistic Expression, Monitoring, and Evaluation. This innovative approach puts young people in the driver’s seat at every stage, empowering them to produce content whose impact will reach well beyond the Assembly itself. Their commitment will also be recognized through open badges.
“We’re not just learning about pollinators – we’re learning how to make change happen.”
