At this year’s Democracy Conference, important topics related to the environmental challenges facing young people were discussed. One of the highlights was the presentation of Seta Raynova from the For You Association, who shared her observations on the phenomenon of eco-anxiety and youth activism in Bulgaria.
Eco-anxiety is the fear and anxiety caused by uncertainty about the future of the planet and climate change. Although this term is well known in Europe, in Bulgaria only 25% of young people are familiar with it, compared to 60% in the European Union.
Research by For You shows that 70% of young people surveyed are aware of their personal responsibility to tackle climate change, but at the same time 41% believe that their individual efforts will not make a real difference. However, young people are increasingly taking small steps – such as separate waste collection – that help them feel more relaxed and engaged with the issue.
According to statistics, only 24.6% of waste in Bulgaria was recycled in 2022, while the European Union’s target is for this percentage to reach 55% by 2025.
Young people in Bulgaria are increasingly aware of environmental challenges but need more support and information. There is a need for clearer communication of climate change policies and increased confidence in the measures taken by institutions. Only through collective efforts can we tackle the growing eco-anxiety and achieve a sustainable future.
