Youth at the Top

 

Among younger generations, there is little awareness of the values and opportunities offered by the natural and cultural heritage of the Alps.  This statement is backed by scientific research showing that younger generations tend to lose connection with their mountain environment. ‘Youth at the Top’ is an international project that aims to break this trend and to reconnect youth with nature and their mountain heritage. It is a collective action organized simultaneously throughout the Alps and the Carpathians on a common annual date in the summer. Mountain guides and educators organize local events to help meet this objective. The event has a symbolic dimension that goes beyond linguistic and national borders as young people share a collective experience through an overnight stay in the mountains. This project contributes towards getting the Alps recognized as a sole entity and helps raise awareness about the protection and conservation of the mountain environment. 

The past two years, Youth at the Top has been marked by the common themes ‘Forest – the Almighty’ and ‘Water in all its forms’. These themes encourage event organizers to find innovative ways for young people to rediscover their natural surroundings through educational, cultural and artistic activities.

 

Event 2024 under the theme "Alpine Flowers and Insect Pollinators"

The common topic of this year’s edition is “Alpine Flowers and Insect Pollinators”. Protected areas, organizations, youth associations, local professionals, and refuges from all over the Alps and the Carpathians: you are all invited to take part in this international event and to plan an educational activity on the common theme.

 

The Alps in my Backpack 2.0:

We are pleased to announce that for this years 10th anniversary of Youth at the Top the educational tool "The Alps in my Backpack" will be updated. The revised version of the tool will not only have a new design but will also cover current topics such as climate change, renewable energy production in the Alps or Alpine wetlands. The new version will be made available to all organisers to use for planned activities.

 

ALPARC carries out this project with financial support from the German Ministry of the Environment (DE) and the Principality of Monaco (MC). 

More info: https://youth-at-the-top.org/en/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YATevent/