We need to fundamentally rethink our economic activities, towards a better alignment – a recoupling – of our economic and political activities with social prosperity and environmental sustainability. To this end, the Young Global Changers program is bringing young voices into debates around global problem solving. The program draws specifically on young researchers, social entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, activists and organizers from around the world to find concrete examples, projects and initiatives of “recoupling in practice”. Over the past five years, the Young Global Changers program has worked with almost 400 young people from around the world. It has identified voices, ideas and initiatives that address the intersection of economic and political activities with social prosperity and ecological sustainability.

VOLUME 1

This volume of articles complies assessments, recommendations, proposals, and specific approaches aimed at addressing ongoing decoupling processes. It addresses the importance of a better inclusion of youth and upcoming generations in the decision-making process. It provides ideas and analysis on how to address pressing global issues and presents concrete projects and initiatives that aim for more and better “recoupling” of social and economic prosperity. The contributions to this volume have stemmed from a series of summer schools held between 2019 and 2021. The articles in this volume have been written by the Young Global Changers or members of the program’s extended circle. The publication was made possible with the generous support of the Volkswagen Foundation.