The Kick-off Meeting for the ECHOES project (Empowering Climate Hope and Environmental Sustainability) took place on June 28, 2024, and was hosted online by the project coordinator, CERA Europe, in Belgium. This inaugural meeting officially launched the project and provided a platform for partners to align on objectives, responsibilities, and initial actions.

During the meeting, partners reviewed the project’s goals, timeline, and work packages (WPs). Key topics included project guidelines, dissemination strategies, and risk assessments. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration, clear communication, and adherence to the grant agreement. Guidelines for deliverables were also established to ensure alignment with project objectives.

This meeting marked the official start of the ECHOES initiative, which aims to amplify youth voices in climate action and decision-making. Running for 22 months, from March 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025, the project involves seven organisations from six European countries: CERA Europe (Belgium), Associação Inspira! (Portugal), CRH (Belgium), Education and Future Tech Association (Turkey), EKO (Greece), Green Muse (Germany), and Viaje a la Sostenibilidad (Spain).

The meeting focused on planning first-quarter activities, including finalising the Climate Advocacy Toolkit outline, organising local workshops, and launching the initial dissemination campaign. It established a strong foundation for collaboration and a shared commitment to empowering youth for climate action across Europe.