Young people live sustainably

Executive Summary This report compares two civic initiatives committed to promoting environmental sustainability and social participation: Duurzaam Utrecht 2030 (Netherlands) and Legambiente Caserta (Italy). Although they operate in different socio-cultural and geographical contexts, both share a common mission: to mobilize local communities toward a grassroots ecological transition. The comparison highlights numerous similarities—such as strong local roots, commitment to environmental education, and the use of participatory tools—as well as structural differences that are, in fact, complementary. Duurzaam Utrecht stands out for its methodological experimentation and creativity, while Legambiente Caserta represents a model of established civic mobilization and effective institutional action. The dialogue between these experiences reveals broad opportunities for European cooperation, including: a) Exchange of best practices (e.g., storytelling, citizen science, urban regeneration) Inclusivity Statement The Duurzaam Utrecht 2030 project and Legambiente Caserta are grassroots, volunteer-based civic initiatives focused on environmental sustainability and community inclusion. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of the solutions and an important aspect of the findings in this report as it achieved , through an active engagement with marginalised groups, with Duurzaam Utrecht 2030 focussing on low-income individuals and youth in co-creating local sustainable solutions aligned with six UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while Legambiente Caserta, an Italian non-profit, promotes environmental awareness and territorial protection through civic engagement. Despite operating in different urban contexts, both organizations emphasize participatory approaches, continuous civic inclusion, and the active involvement of marginalized groups, particularly youth and families, in addressing sustainability challenges. Testimonial We would like to express our gratitude for being given the opportunity to provide a solution to challenges and build on the opportunity to create a network that will benefit marginalised groups between two European initiatives, the Legambiente Caserta in Italy and the Duurzaam Utrecht 2030 in the Netherland, despite their structural differences—one being a fluid, transnational platform and the other a well-established association within a national network—the two experiences prove to be complementary and synergistic. Duurzaam Utrecht 2030 stands out for its methodological innovation, creativity, and experimental approach, while Legambiente Caserta serves as a virtuous example of local engagement, civic mobilization, and advocacy within the Italian institutional context. We greatly appreciate the opportunity, and our success can only be measured by the results coming directly from the ground.It has been a pleasure working with the entire team on this project .