Young voices bring local perspectives to the energy transition: Just Transition Young Voices Awards 2026 winners announced
The winners of the 2026 Just Transition Young Voices Awards have been recognized for video submissions showing what a just energy transition means to their local communities: from navigating the realities of war in Ukraine to demonstrating how renewable energy can bring tangible benefits in Moldova.
The Just Transition Young Voices awards, organised by the Energy Community Secretariat in cooperation with CEE Bankwatch Network, Balkan Green Energy News (BGEN), Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), aim to bring young people's voices, experiences and ideas into the discussion on a just energy transition across the Energy Community region. This year's edition invited young people aged 18–30 from the Energy Community regions to respond through video to the question: “What a Just Energy Transition Means to You and Your Community.” Winners have been selected in two categories, "Creativity for Impact" and "Storytelling for Impact"
The winners will present and launch their videos at the Just Transition Forum in Podgorica, Montenegro, on 20 October 2026, bringing their perspectives directly into a regional discussion involving decision-makers, civil society and other stakeholders. The awards also provide winners with a capacity-building session on 21 October, organised in cooperation with GIZ.
Creativity for Impact Winner:
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Anna Shvets, 19, from Ukraine, won the Creativity for Impact category with her video “Just Energy Transition in wartime.”
The jury particularly praised the video's power to immediately capture attention while providing a strong entry point into Anna's personal perspective by comparing Czech Republic and Ukraine. The video brings the just energy transition to life through the experiences of communities in Ukraine, showing how change can start not only at European and national levels, but also in local communities and with young people.
The jury described the video as clear, creative and memorable, highlighting its engaging and compelling message. Its emphasis on individual and community action was seen as particularly powerful. It also praised the strong structure and composition of the video, noting how effectively its different elements came together.
Storytelling for Impact Winner:
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Francesca Ceban, 21, and Alexandru Fedaș, 24, from Moldova won the Storytelling for Impact category with their video “An Example for the Community.”
Their video brings the energy transition to life through a concrete local story. By following a community member's decision to switch to renewable energy, the video illustrates both the practical benefits of the transition and the opportunities available to individuals and communities.
The jury particularly appreciated the human-centered perspective and the way the story connects renewable energy with broader social and community benefits. The jury also highlighted the video's strong journalistic quality. It provides a comprehensive picture of the opportunities and challenges faced by the individuals featured in the story, while successfully connecting the personal experience to the wider energy transition.
A Special Acknowledgement goes to Vesa Shala (20) and Deurita Hoxha (20) from Kosovo* for their video “Flipping the Narrative.”
The jury recognised the video's originality and creative use of the bottle-flipping metaphor, particularly the transition from a power plant to renewable energy. The repeated attempts to successfully flip the bottle were seen as an effective symbol of the difficulty, length and persistence required to achieve a just transition. The jury also noted the video's strong visual concept and clear creative potential.
The Just Transition Young Voices Awards are part of a broader effort to ensure that young people are not only considered as the future of the energy transition but are recognised as active contributors to shaping it today.
Congratulations to Anna, Francesca, Alexandru, Vesa and Deurita for bringing their voices, creativity and experiences to the regional just transition conversation.
Registration for the Just Transition Forum is still open.