While recent surveys show that youth in Finland and also elsewhere in Europe have faith and optimism towards the future in general, their sense of agency in relation to environmental and societal changes is low, and they share a feeling of not being heard. This proof-of-concept project develops a co-creation model ELOTILA (Engl. space for life) to address the experienced lack of agency of young people and to foster new, powerful narratives and practices of shared agency. Initially tested in three upper-secondary schools with c.100 students, ELOTILA brings together expertise from natural sciences, social sciences and the field of arts and aims at hopeful futures, recognising complexity and relationality as key features of sustainability transitions. In this PoC project the ELOTILA approach will be developed into a model in two public schools in collaboration with local artists, academics and scientists, and further established with two committed NGOs.

2025

2026