Environmental protection and sustainability shape work of the FGYO
Climate change concerns us all. Already today, children, adolescents and young adults are more affected by the impacts than previous generations. Accordingly, they are dedicated to environmental protection and leading sustainable lifestyles.
Younger generations are on the front line when it comes to climate, environmental and social upheavals.
They are calling for opportunities for engagement, understanding and action.
As an organisation promoting Franco-German and European exchanges, the FGYO regards the ecological transition as a cross-cutting issue: it affects mobility, social justice, lifestyles, democratic participation, inclusion and international cooperation.
Taking action for the climate and sustainable development means:
- Strengthening young people’s capacity for action and engagement;
- Reducing the carbon footprint of exchanges;
- Supporting partners in developing eco-responsible practices;
- Turning international exchanges into laboratories for transition and the promotion of education for sustainable development.
To ensure that this commitment is sustained over time, the FGYO has adopted a climate strategy, approved by its Board of Directors in December 2025. This strategy establishes a clear and progressive framework for reducing the carbon footprint of the institution and the programs it supports, while strengthening the integration of environmental issues into the educational content of exchanges. A quantified target lies at the heart of this approach: a 30% reduction in total CO₂ emissions by 2030.
It marks a new step forward: moving from numerous one-off initiatives to a structured, measurable approach shared with all partners. The FGYO’s ambition is clear: to sustainably integrate the principles of environmental responsibility into all our actions and to support projects that make a concrete contribution to transforming practices.
Why is the FGYO taking action on climate and sustainable development?
For over 60 years, the FGYO has been committed to Franco-German exchanges and places mobility at the heart of its work, as the success of intercultural learning depends on immersion in the partner country. Today, in the face of the climate emergency, we aim to ensure that these exchanges remain possible for future generations and become a lever for strengthening young people’s engagement. This requires transforming our practices and promoting more environmentally sustainable mobility.
Intercultural exchanges are essential for strengthening ties between France and Germany and other countries, but they generate CO₂ emissions, mainly related to transport.
We are committed to reconciling mobility with environmental responsibility, while ensuring access to mobility for all young people.
What does this mean for your projects?
In concrete terms, organizing a project with the FGYO now involves taking its environmental impact into account, particularly with regard to mobility.
The FGYO’s commitment to the climate is reflected in the criteria and funding arrangements for projects. Since 2024, the FYGO Guidelines (Article 1.4) have encouraged the use of low-carbon modes of transport (bus, train) for meetings. Air travel can only be subsidized if the train journey exceeds eight hours. It is also possible to fund an additional overnight stay for travel by train or bus.
The FGYO provides the online tool Dekarbo to help you measure and reduce the carbon footprint of your projects. It allows you to calculate the CO₂ emissions generated during a youth exchange and offers resources and recommendations on how to organize Franco-German exchanges or trilateral meetings while minimizing their environmental impact.
How can you make your exchange more eco-friendly? – Educational resources on ecology and sustainable development
To support you, the FGYO promotes the sharing of skills related to sustainable development by providing educational materials and offering training.
- Guidelines for organizing a more eco-friendly international youth project offer concrete recommendations for planning youth projects that incorporate environmentally responsible practices.
- The practical guide to eco-friendly group mobility helps exchange organizers plan and book group travel by train or bus.
- Information sheets on environmental topics (waste, soil pollution, CO₂) that can be used as part of your Franco-German youth projects.
- Need more inspiration? Explore all our educational resources on the theme of ecology.
- Activity booklet “En route pour protéger la planète !”: an educational tool designed to raise children’s awareness of everyday environmental protection.
Would you like to take action with us?
For project organizers:
- Organize youth exchanges;
- Discover examples of eco-friendly projects and testimonials;
- Explore the Dekarbo tool.
For young people:
- Would you like to get involved in protecting nature and discover Germany? Franco-German Ecological Volunteering;
- FGYO Young Ambassadors Network;
- Climate projects led by young people.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to develop a project or strengthen the environmental dimension of an existing exchange.
Flagship projects
Below is a selection of projects completed in 2026 and earlier.
Franco-german exchange cycle between Ploemeur and Stuttgart
This Franco-German project provided an opportunity to explore the natural environment of each partner city and to reflect on the ecological challenges of our time. Furthermore, it was a series of meetings that brought together young people from both the school and extracurricular sectors, which helped broaden perspectives on the topic.
The two closely spaced phases aimed to focus on the exchange itself, while addressing a central theme close to the young people’s hearts: ecology.
Where? In Stuttgart (Phase 1) and Ploemeur (Phase 2)
When? In October 2025 and April 2026
Who? 30 young people from France and Germany, aged 14 to 16.
Organizer: Association Gwennili (Quimper)
Partners : Maison de Jeunes de Ploemeur, Körschtalschule Stuttgart-Plieningen
OFAJ training programs and calls for school projects
- Franco-German Ecochallenge: Since 2023, in cooperation with Ma petite planète (MPP) (my little planet), the FGYO has been offering a Franco-German environmental education game for young people, from primary school (CE2) to high school. Each year, more than 600 young participants complete over 4,100 eco-citizen challenges with their partner class over a three-week period. “Through all the challenges we completed, I learned a lot about ecology that I didn’t know before.” – Camille, high school student.
- Franco-German training programme “Ecological transition in intercultural exchanges”: In 2025–2026, the FGYO is offering an innovative training programme aimed at fundamentally transforming intercultural exchanges in line with current social and environmental challenges. Future changemakers will be able to reduce the environmental footprint of their projects (by promoting more responsible mobility) and increase their positive impact in environmental, social, and educational terms within Franco-German and trilateral exchanges. A key component of this programme is hands-on application, particularly through the design and implementation of a transformative action within the professional context of participants.
- Climate Walk: A collective initiative in which young people accumulate kilometers in nature while collecting waste, which is then converted into donations for a Franco-German reforestation project. The Climate Walk took place in 2023 as part of the OFAJ’s 60th anniversary and was repeated in 2024.
“Climate Twins” – a trilateral exchange focused on climate issues.
In the fight against global warming, Toulouse, Düsseldorf, and Tunis have established an innovative partnership called "climate twins." By 2100, temperatures in Düsseldorf could reach those currently observed in Toulouse, while Toulouse could experience temperatures similar to those in Tunis today. To anticipate these changes, the three cities launched a trinational youth exchange program in 2022, focused on climate change adaptation and gender equality.
For three years, young people from France, Germany, and Tunisia have been collaborating to develop projects aimed at protecting the environment and achieving carbon neutrality. This unique partnership not only raises awareness among younger generations about climate issues but also promotes concrete and sustainable solutions for a greener future.
The FGYO supports this project as part of the Maghreb Special Fund.