Lena Schilling Sends a Powerful Message to Western Balkans Youth at Green Horizons Conference
6, June 2025
At the Green Horizons conference in Skopje, Lena Schilling, Member of the European Parliament from the Greens/EFA group, addressed participants via video message. Although she couldn’t attend in person, Lena delivered a strong and personal message to the youth from across the region—especially those shaping sustainability policies in their own communities.
In her address to the participants of the Green Horizons conference, Lena Schilling delivered more than just encouragement—she offered a powerful call to action, one rooted in recognition, solidarity, and hope. Speaking directly to young changemakers, Lena reminded them that they are not waiting in line to shape the future—they are already shaping it. “You are the ones leading change in your communities,” she said. “Your engagement is vital for a green future.”
She praised their ability to collaborate across borders and differences, highlighting the strength that lies in active citizenship and collective effort. “You have learned how to be active citizens and work together to tackle ecological crises,” she noted, underscoring that solutions come not from individuals working in isolation, but from communities bound by shared purpose.
Lena also urged participants to cherish the relationships they’ve built throughout the project. These connections, she emphasized, are not temporary—they’re part of a growing network that must endure beyond the timeline of any one initiative. “The connections you’ve made here should be nurtured and maintained even after this project ends.”
Watch the video address: Link
The address by one of the youngest Members of the European Parliament sent a powerful signal: that politics at the European level is closely watching—and valuing—what’s happening in the local communities of the Western Balkans.
Lena reminded everyone that the fight for climate justice, youth inclusion, and stronger democracies goes hand in hand—and that young people are not just participants in that fight.
