Engaging Youth for a Regenerative Future

When we picture the Transition movement, the faces we often imagine are those of middle-aged or older changemakers. And yet, a quiet shift is happening. The majority of recent visitors to the Transition Network website are between 18 and 35 years old. Young people are present in Transition groups—they are showing up, asking questions, bringing energy—but their presence isn’t always visible, nor is it always recognised.

We are planning on changing that.

Youth today are seeking knowledge and practical resilience skills to face the challenges of our time—climate disruption, social fragmentation, and economic uncertainty. They want to learn, connect, and build futures that feel regenerative and just. But too often, they lack the spaces, support, and opportunities to grow within movements like Transition.

We believe the next wave of Transition must be intergenerational, with young people not just included but centred. Their perspectives are essential for shaping the future of community resilience, and we want to ensure they are seen, heard, and supported.

That’s why we’re launching a new initiative to map youth presence in Transition, understand their needs and challenges, and co-create meaningful offerings that help them thrive. A young researcher will lead this work over a three-month period, with mentoring and training from our team to ensure peer-to-peer connection and impact. This process is part of our commitment to Engaging Youth for a Regenerative Future, supported by our current Big Give campaign.

By donating, you’re not just supporting a project—you’re investing in the future of the Transition movement.

Join the conversation

To deepen this conversation, Elizabeta Zijlstra Jovanovska facilitated an interactive session on Engaging Youth in Transition. We explored questions like:

• How can we truly meet the learning needs of this new generation of Transitioners?
• What spaces are needed for youth to grow, apply Transition ideas, and lead initiatives?
• How do we shift from token involvement to genuine youth-powered transformation?

Watch the recording:

Elizabeta is part of the Transition Network international team, serving as the Lead Link of the Learning and Practising Transition Circle. She is a Transition Trainer, youth worker and Permaculture Designer, with years of experience in creative, grassroots, and youth-led change. Elizabeta will guide us through a participatory space where we can reflect, share, and co-imagine what’s possible when young people are supported to do Transition in their own way.

Please reach out to comms@transitionnetwork.org if you have questions. Thank you!