Skip to main content
PILCROW, home

“Futureproof: Youth vs. Climate Challenges”: the Youth Rescue Squad e-course is piloted and free online

Cover of the Youth Rescue Squad Resilience Building eCourse, with illustrated young people holding the words climate crisis, skills and awareness, and the logos of the project partners and the EU emblem

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense across Europe, but being prepared makes a real difference. The Youth Rescue Squad project helps young people aged 15 to 29 understand what climate risks look like in their local communities, how to anticipate them, and how to respond safely and effectively when needed.

As part of this mission, the project partners in Germany, Spain, Greece, Denmark and Belgium developed and successfully piloted the interactive e-learning course “Futureproof: Youth vs. Climate Challenges” with more than 100 people. The course teaches young people about climate change, extreme weather patterns and digital tools for climate preparedness, and builds their capacity to tell reliable climate information from fake news and online misinformation.

Five modules, from science to well-being

The course guides learners through both the practical and the psychological sides of climate action:

  • Module 1: Anatomy of Climate Change Consequences. The basic science behind climate change, its cascade effects and what it means for local communities.
  • Module 2: Climate Information. Critical media literacy to navigate climate data and separate trustworthy sources from misinformation and disinformation.
  • Module 3: Recognising Danger: Extreme Weather Patterns. Early warning signs and physical risks linked to heatwaves, floods, storms and wildfires across Europe.
  • Module 4: Digital Tools for Extreme Climate Alert and Preparedness. Digital applications, alert systems and technology to stay informed and safe during extreme climate events.
  • Module 5: Emotional Well-being. Eco-anxiety, personal resilience and emotional coping strategies to stay confident and feel safe in the face of climate uncertainty.

What the pilot showed

During the pilot, young participants tested the resources and reflected on their own role in climate safety and community action. What we learned in this phase has helped make the materials engaging, accessible and tailored to the needs of young Europeans.

Take the course for free

The e-course is available free of charge in six languages:

Work through the modules at your own pace and build the core skills to face climate change with confidence.

Youth Rescue Squad is an Erasmus+ cooperation partnership in the youth field, coordinated by Jugendförderverein Parchim/Lübz e.V. (Germany) with PILCROW (Spain), cirka cph (Denmark), KMOP (Greece) and Headway Consulting Group (Belgium).