The Youth and Repair webinar, explored how education, science, and cultural change can empower young people to engage with repair and circular economy practices. Speakers from across Europe shared perspectives from academia, vocational training, schools, research, and engineering.
What is the level of awareness among young people regarding repair issues and their practices ? What role can they can play in the ecological transition ? A webinar to serve as a platform for initiatives targeting young people or led by young people, to an audience bringing together stakeholders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Slovenia.
Key messages
Why Repair Needs Science: Empowering Students for a Circular and Repair-Oriented Future
Amra Banda, Associate Professor from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighted the often underestimated role of education in the circular transition. Scientific education should connect theory with real-life environmental challenges and embed circular economy principles into curricula. Interdisciplinary collaboration between sciences, arts, and vocational fields can help turn circular economy concepts into practical, evidence-based practices for students.
Repair skills in vocational training: Practical experience from Bologna
Luca Lambertini, trainer and tutor, CIOFS-FP/ER – Vocational Training Centre, Bologna, from Italy, presented the experience of repair centres in the Emilia-Romagna region, which combine training activities with social inclusion. These centres provide practical repair skills alongside theoretical education for young people, unemployed adults, and persons with disabilities. Beyond technical learning, repair activities help develop citizenship and green competencies while connecting schools, communities, and local institutions.
Circular economy and participatory approach at school
Presentations from Carine Boyer, biology teacher at Marseilleveyre secondary school and liaison teacher for the NEEDE association & Bernard Mossé, scientific and educational director of the NEEDE association and co-director of the “Education for Environmental Transition in the Mediterranean” UNESCO Chair at Aix Marseille University from France. They presented participatory educational initiatives introducing circular economy concepts from primary school to university. Through workshops and projects, students assess environmental impacts and implement practical initiatives such as second-hand shops, awareness campaigns, and sustainability-focused school activities.
Cultural trends among younger generations and the circular economy
Berta Segura, strategic consultant and speaker focused on young generations, complex issues like sustainability, and futures from Spain, explored how younger generations perceive sustainability and repair. While awareness of climate issues is high, repair is not yet a widespread habit. She argued that sustainability narratives often feel moralising or distant, and that new communication approaches are needed. Presenting repair as social, creative, and enjoyable—through community events, crafts, or entrepreneurial opportunities—can help make repair culture more appealing to young people.
Engineering the Future – Youth Perspectives
Ilias Saratsis, Engineer & Robotics Trainer Organization: Eduact from Greece, discussed how engineering education and digital technologies can encourage repair culture. Students should be encouraged to develop curiosity and technical skills while learning that building technology also means understanding how to repair it. Technology and digital tools can democratise repair and empower young people to play an active role in the ecological transition.
Why young people do (and don’t) repair
Marin Zver, expert in repair and reuse, CPU Center for Reuse or Circular Economy activities Slovenia, examined the motivations and barriers influencing youth repair practices. While saving money and environmental concerns encourage repair, barriers include lack of skills, access to tools, and product designs that make repair difficult. Strengthening repair culture therefore requires education, spaces community reunions such as repair workshops and cafés, supportive policies such as the right to repair, and stronger community engagement.
