Local voices for a global cause – youth in climate movements in Poland

Central and Eastern European countries increasingly experience the impacts of climate change, with vulnerable groups – particularly young people – being most affected. Their active involvement plays a crucial role in implementing adaptation and mitigation measures. This study investigates how the motivations, strategies, and effects of youth engagement in movements to protect the climate in Poland are shaped by the dynamic interplay between local and national scales of activism. The research employs semi-structured interviews and participant observation within bottom-up climate justice initiatives in four metropolitan areas. It draws on interviews with activists aged 18–30 who are involved in global and local environmental initiatives. The study identifies the reasons behind youth engagement, the challenges activists face, and the extent to which their voices are heard by decision-makers. Particular attention is given to youth-led actions with a tangible impact on the local environment, even though climate movements’ demands are rarely acknowledged by policymakers. Findings indicate that activism is geographically sensitive, with strong centralisation in the capital. While local action can generate tangible change, scarce resources and visibility often push youth toward national-level movements. Recognising geography as an active factor helps explain how place and scale shape the sustainability of young people’s climate activism.