Youth Engagement

SGA’s work is designed to care for current and future generations and we believe in building the next generation of youth climate leaders. We engage youth through a variety of our programs, empowering them to adopt more sustainable habits and use their voices to help shape a future in which both people and the planet are cared for.

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Empowering Youth to Shape Sustainable Futures

Young people will inherit the world we’re creating now. SGA collaborates with youth to ensure they have a chance to lead change and their voices guide the work of building just and sustainable communities.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Climate Advocates, Today

SGA works to help young people find their voices and learn how to advocate for climate solutions in their communities, from the classroom to the city council to the world stage.

Developing Habits for a Lifetime of Sustainability

SGA’s waste reduction programs help instill habits like reducing single-use plastics, recycling, and composting, so young people can carry these practices throughout their lives, making sustainability second nature.

Good Food for a Green Future

SGA is helping create connections for young people between their food and their future. By working to bring local food into schools and early childhood centers and providing curriculum and resources about local, sustainable food, SGA is helping build a generation that understands the value of healthy food, land, and soil.

Creating Advocates for Greener Schools

SGA has helped youth engage with their schools to develop climate and sustainability policies. By guiding students on advocacy and collaboration with school administration, SGA empowers youth to develop important skills as activists while helping make their schools and communities more sustainable.

Youth-Driven Climate Education

SGA sees climate education in K-12 schools as essential to developing a generation that’s committed to sustainability. We support young people advocating for climate curriculum in their schools and beyond, ensuring all students have the education they need to become better stewards of the environment.

Youth Climate Advocacy on the World Stage

SGA takes a group of high school students to the annual UN Climate Summit to bring their skills to the international arena. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity gives youth the opportunity to engage in climate activism on a global stage, and helps develop a passion that translates to action.

Youth Activism Powers Greener Futures

Through SGA’s programs and collaborations, youth are empowered to engage in climate advocacy on their terms, according to their interests.

Programs

It's Our Future

It’s Our Future educates youth about the climate crisis and environmental justice, supports youth action and advocacy in their schools and communities and connects youth to the international climate arena.

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Zero Waste Schools

Zero Waste Schools teaches students best practices for food and plastic waste reduction, and empowers them to develop sustainability habits that will last a lifetime.

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Farm to School

The Illinois Farm to School Network helps educate kids on healthy, local, and seasonal food, sustainable food sheds, and why eating local and treating the land with respect matters.

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Collaborations

Cross Community Climate Collaborative

C4 helps introduce more communities to SGA’s youth engagement work, and supports both education and incorporating youth voices in climate solutions.

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PlanItGreen

PlanItGreen provides a platform for students from SGA’s It’s Our Future program to share their experiences and takeaways from the UN Climate Summit with local sustainability leaders.

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GreenTown

The GreenTown conference is an opportunity for youth to connect with each other about climate advocacy and engage with sustainability leaders from a variety of communities.

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Uplifting Youth Climate Advocates Together

SGA partners with nonprofits, schools, and other organizations to give youth opportunities to engage in climate education, to extend their reach and impact as advocates, and connect with other young climate leaders.

Become an SGA Partner

"IOF youth were key in advocating for a climate education bill in Illinois. They don’t just talk and post about it, but take action, calling legislators, organizing tabling events to gather support and speaking at events to raise awareness. IOF youth are a powerful voice for climate justice."

Helen Von den Steinen, Climate Education for Illinois
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