Energy transition and youth employment in Spain and Greece

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Published at https://energytransition.org/2018/12/energy-transition-and-youth-employment/ 

Anemos Ananeosis / Wind of Renewal participated in drafting of the study

Youth unemployment, especially in southern European countries, remains unbearably high. Renewable energy and climate protection are an opportunity to create new, well-paid jobs in urban and rural areas, Dr Hartwig Berger explains.

The energy transition could result in hundreds of thousands of jobs, especially for young people (Photo by Radostina Primova)

Spain and Greece were hit hard by this summer’s droughts and wildfires – the Mediterranean regions are highly endangered by the climate crisis, and energy change there is urgent. At the same time, the opportunities for a climate-friendly transformation of the energy systems are very promising. The conditions there are excellent for the use of sun and often ideal for the exploitation of wind. There is a considerable scope for efficient and economical energy use too.

It therefore essential to train young people in qualifications and skills that are required for this vast economic transformation so that Europe can become a global leader in green energy and fulfil its Paris commitments. They can be offered a promising professional future instead of being marginalized from work.

At the beginning of 2018, a team from three countries conducted research in the Spanish province of Cádiz and in Athens. Their goal was to find out what opportunities there were for a climate-friendly energy change in the coming years and the additional demand for qualified work resulting from it. Next, they examined how the energy transition is viewed by stakeholders, local politicians and affected young people themselves and whether local communities are willing to participate in appropriate initiatives. Finally, the team developed a set of proposals on how such professional training should be designed in order to increase the prospects of subsequent employment.

The project was financed by the EU Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Environment.

Potential for renewables

The key results of the research are that the energy transition could result in hundreds of thousands of jobs, especially for young people. In addition, the Mediterranean’s sunny climate makes distributed solar energy a profitable option.

Transitioning to renewable energy and climate protection offer considerable employment potential. We expect a six-figure number of new jobs in Spain and almost a six-figure number in Greece for energy-efficient building refurbishment alone. In the various renewable energy tasks, we estimate the number of new jobs in both countries to be in the five-digit range. In the municipalities surveyed, the energy balance of the buildings is generally so unfavourable that the applicable national and European regulations virtually force refurbishments.

From an economic point of view, the prosuming (production and consumption) of solar electricity required by households, businesses and public institutions themselves in the investigated regions is also very attractive. In Greece, the legal framework is favourable. In Spain, fundamental improvements can be expected in the near future. Even for low-income households and businesses, solar power generation is economically viable, provided that there are favourable microcredits, state subsidies and offers for a so-called “energy contracting”.

At present, young people in the regions who are trained in energy management have clear difficulties to find jobs in their field. Their chances improve significantly if vocational training is closely linked to practical learning in companies or communal activities. But close attention must be payed to prevent misuse of apprenticeships by companies.

Policy proposals: local and regional training

The team came up with the following proposals to improve youth unemployment and switch to clean energy:

–    Municipal action plans at both local and regional level. Action days should be organized in towns to present possible or existing projects and to inform citizens and local businesses about national and regional energy plans, as well as the possibilities for funding activities related to energy and climate protection. For renovations and energy efficiency projects, the study recommends building cooperatives or neighbourhood associations.

–   Programs for targeted “dual” qualification of young unemployed people and energy refurbishments in municipal buildings. The energy-saving provisions for buildings should include natural techniques and the use of renewable energy sources on site. In autumn 2018, a test project was launched in small towns near Cádiz and in Athens for schools in these regions, which are notoriously hot in summer and cold in winter.

–    Programs for “round-up” training of young people. It is crucial that these programs begin now because in the coming years, a large number of experts will be in demand for the use of solar energy. Training should include planning, installation, monitoring, economic efficiency calculations for solar systems, plus energy-saving measures.

–     Professional training programs in climate protection activities for youth in rural areas. Young people without jobs and training have the greatest difficulties in finding a job in the regions studied. Therefore, providing professional training in the sectors of agriculture, forests and green urban environment will be important.

–    The existing “European Youth Guarantee” should be extended to finance training in occupations in which a high demand for skilled workers can be expected in the future. This is undoubtedly the case in the areas of energy transition and climate protection.

The detailed study “How to Reduce Youth Unemployment by Fighting Climate Change” is available at www.hartwig-berger.de.

Dr. Hartwig Berger (Berlin), was before his retirement a private lecturer for sociology at the FU Berlin and at times deputy in Berlin and chairman of the Ökowerk Berlin.

 *”energy contracting” is a bold technical term. It refers to contracts in which a company typically invests at its own expense in energy-saving measures or energy installations and then “recovers” its own costs by means of the savings achieved, etc.

WELCOMMON HOSTEL, an innovative proposal for sustainable tourism, with social impact

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The WELCOMMON Hostel is a hostel in the center of Athens, an innovative proposal for sustainable tourism, innovation, art, social and job integration based on the idea of “community”, initiated by the social cooperative ANEMOS ANANEOSIS / WIND OF RENEWAL.

The WELCOMMON Hostel is a seven-floor facility for people of all ages. We would like to welcome you during your visit to Athens. We can also help you plan your stay in the city. WELCOMMON is not just a hostel, it is also part of a social experiment, a center for innovation and art, as well as social and job integration for Greeks, migrants and refugees.

We can organize your study trip in the city and provide details about interesting social events and groups; we can also supply you with all necessary information onother Greek cities, an island or a mountainside; we can connect you with cycling groups, or let you know the secrets of culinary delights, we can host your seminar orworkshop; we can also host a painting exhibition or a cultural event.

Be sure to CONTACT US before arriving in Athens, let us know about your needs and your interests!

The Hostel, Welcome in Common

You have a variety of options for accommodation in WELCOMMON; you may like to share an eight-bed dormitory with your friends or other travelers; or you may prefer to stay in a five-bed room, a four-bed room, a three-bed roomtwin ordouble bed room or a single; you may need a cheap room or you may be willing to pay a little more for some extra perks; or you may like to go for a room with a balcony. Regardless of what you select, all rooms are comfortableclean andattractive; a lot has been artistically designed with reused items, always with yourcomfort in mind.

WELCOMMON HOSTEL belongs to the Greek Youth Hostel Association, – a network of 21 youth hostel in Grece, member of the HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL network

Hostelling International is a worldwide network of Not-for-Profit Youth Hostel Associations

Hostelling International (HI) is a charity that manages a federation of not-for-profit youth hostel associations. Its Youth Hostel Associations such as YHA, Stayokay and DJH combined provide a network of hostels in more than 80 countries. They believe that exploration and travel lead to a better understanding of other cultures, and in turn that creates a peaceful, smarter, and more tolerant world. This is and has been HI mission for almost 100 years. HI operates ‘for good and not-for-profit’ which means your stay should be cheaper while contributing to something amazing — any surplus of funds is reinvested in affordable hostelling and not shareholders.

Booking your hostel stay on hihostels ensures HI can continue to help its Youth Hostel Associations provide safe and clean HI Hostels for young people to enjoy for years to come. Book direct with HI Hostels and support this mission – we typically have the best prices!

Hostelling International Greece
The social cooperative ANEMOS ANANEOSIS / WIND OF RENEWAL runs the WELCOMMON HOSTEL. We are committed to work for the promotion of the education of all young people. We care for this, it is not only words, it is every day practice with the support of many volunteers all over the workssured Standards for comfort, so you can rely on a consistent level of services and facilities wherever you stay. HI Hostels enable you to meet people of different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, and provide a rich resource for learning and for building a better, more peaceful world.
 
The Greek Youth Hostels Association accepts the criteria set by HI:
“to promote the education of all young people of all nations, but especially young people of limited means, by encouraging in them a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside and an appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities in all parts of the world, and as an ancillary thereto to provide hostels or other accommodation in which there shall be no distinctions of race, nationality, colour, religion, sex, class or political opinions, and thereby to develop a better understanding of fellow men at home and abroad”.
 
Unique, diverse, cosmopolitan and sustainable
Just as there are diverse types of people, so there are numerous Youth Hostels throughout Greece. The GRYH has developed special labels and ranges of offers for various groups of guests. These labels are “Family Friendly Hostel,” “Active Hostel”, “Green Hostel”, “Fun Hostel”, “Charming Hostel” and “Group Friendly Hostel”. With our labels and specified categories such as culture, nature, sports, relaxation and discover we hope to make it a little easier for our guests to choose the perfect Greek Youth Hostel for their particular travel needs. Experience the great community
Hostelling International Greece
HI Hostels is the brand name of more than 90 Youth Hostel Associations in 90 countries, operating over 4,000 hostels world-wide. What makes HI different from other hostel operators is a focus on quality over quantity: all member countries are required to meet HI’s internationally-agreed Assured Standards for comfort, so you can rely on a consistent level of services and facilities wherever you stay. HI Hostels enable you to meet people of different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, and provide a rich resource for learning and for building a better, more peaceful world.
 
The Greek Youth Hostels Association accepts the criteria set by HI:
to promote the education of all young people of all nations, but especially young people of limited means, by encouraging in them a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside and an appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities in all parts of the world, and as an ancillary thereto to provide hostels or other accommodation in which there shall be no distinctions of race, nationality, colour, religion, sex, class or political opinions, and thereby to develop a better understanding of fellow men at home and abroad”.
Unique, diverse, cosmopolitan and sustainable
Just as there are diverse types of people, so there are numerous Youth Hostels throughout Greece. The GRYH has developed special labels and ranges of offers for various groups of guests. These labels are “Family Friendly Hostel,” “Active Hostel”, “Green Hostel”, “Fun Hostel”, “Charming Hostel” and “Group Friendly Hostel”. With our labels and specified categories such as culture, nature, sports, relaxation and discover we hope to make it a little easier for our guests to choose the perfect Greek Youth Hostel for their particular travel needs.
 
The social cooperative ANEMOS ANANEOSIS / WIND OF RENEWAL runs the WELCOMMON HOSTEL. We are committed to work for the promotion of the education of all young people. We care for this, it is not only words, it is every day practice with the support of many volunteers all over the work

Be sure to CONTACT US before arriving in Athens, let us know about your needs and your interests!

Let’s make our common European home modern, social, green

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The speach of the chair of the social cooperative ANEMOS ANANEOSIS / WIND OF RENEWAL Nikos Chrysogelos during the ceremony for the awarding of the European Citizen’s Prize στο Ευρωκοινοβούλιο, on 9th of October 2018, in the European Parliament. It was the 4th award for ANEMOS ANANEOSIS / WIND OF RENEWAL.

It is a great honor for Anemos Ananeosis/Wind of Renewal to have been awarded the European Citizen’s Prize.

In fact, the European project was born the day the Second World War ended on May 8th 1945. We need to remember the images of survivors amongst the ruins, who found the will within themselves to passionately dance the end of this devastating war. Some dreamed of an end of war era and the creation of a European peace.

Seventy-three years later, many have forgotten the horrors of war or are disappointed by the current European Union. Europe, our common home, really needs renewal. It is not enough to argue that the EU contributes to the absence of war, we must do more to revitalize the European project: greater integration, mutual understanding – mutual respect, social cohesion, no one abandoned or left behind. It’s economy needs to be more responsible, green, sustainable. There needs to be more opportunities for young people, favorable conditions for healthy aging, revitalization of the social model, protection of the climate and the planet.

We at Wind of Renewal have chosen to be part of the changes we want to see made. That is why our actions and activities aim at revitalizing the social model through the innovations we seek, turning the economy in a circular / green direction, turning problems into opportunities for solutions, mutual understanding and cooperation, dialogue and integration of the social and environmental dimension into the economy.

   

 

Europe and every society has experienced displacement and being refugees at different times. The problem in European societies is not the large number of refugees but the fear in the face of something different. There is often a lack of innovation to support integrate, to turn this challenge into an opportunity for the benefit of these societies, for the sustainable prosperity of all.

We developed such a center of integrated support and preparation for the integration of 600 refugees in a modern European society, a model of empowerment through the community, refugees from 22 ethnicities who spoke 14 different languages ​​and dialects felt they were members of the same community, the WELCOMMON (WELCOME in Common).

400 representatives of institutions, 15 universities, hundreds of city representatives, social and international organizations, MPs and MEPs visited and continue to visit us to discuss WELCOMMON. The team did not only comprise the 30staff members, but also 240 volunteers from many countries who gave a part of themselves to this common cause.

We have been unable to continue our program because there are no flexible tools to finance such innovative policies.

However, we did not give up. We changed, we adapted, we created an innovative hostel, the  WELCOMMON HOSTEL, which combines social entrepreneurship, sustainable tourism models, social inclusion of refugees and vulnerable groups, professional integration, and strengthening of the social and green economy. We implemented the concept of circular economy as we reused many furniture and objects on the basis of artistic and functional perception. 5 floors have simple but beautiful rooms for tourists interested in the creative side of Athens, social and cultural life, social economy, and the environment. But two floors are used for language, cooking, painting, gardening lessons for children, adolescents and adult refugees. These activities are realized with the help of dozens of volunteers and the collaboration of organizations from different European countries as well as outside the EU. We create communities in which tourists, students, volunteers, refugees, and local all take part in.

Despite the difficulties faced, we are moving forward with the solidarity of many people and institutions such as the Respect for Greece Citizens’ Initiative, European Foundations, social solidarity bodies and networks. From Day One we have worked with European networks on issues relating to social economy, energy transition, climate protection like: Social Economy Europe, το Rre-use, το CICOPA/CECOP, το ENSIE, το REScoop,  REVES etc.

Yes, this is a Europe that everyone recognizes and respects, a Europe of responsibility, solidarity, innovation, cohesion, mutual respect, a microcosm of how today’s and tomorrow’s Europe can be with everyone’s contribution.

We are trying to make our common European home modern, social, green, less disastrous for the environment and the climate. We are not alone, many are trying to revive the European dream and re-inspire European citizens. We feel great responsibility in receiving this prize and will step up our efforts to stand out and meet the great challenges of our times.

Thank you. We are citizens, we are active citizens, we are Europeans.

Nikos Chrysogelos

Anemos Ananeosis / Wind of Renewal

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