Get Involved has been actively engaged in Sustainability and ESG issues since 2020. Through a variety of initiatives Get Involved, aims to contribute to the education and information of young people by providing them with a holistic view of the ever-changing landscape and developments of Sustainability and ESG. The team follows a multidisciplinary approach which includes educational seminars, educational materials, surveys and newsletters, all dedicated to conveying the knowledge from academia, institutions and the market to students and beyond.
Our journey began with the implementation and publication of the “Sustainability Literacy and Perspectives” survey, which was conducted twice and involved young people from Greece, aged 19 to 29. The survey examined the perspectives of young people regarding Sustainability and also studied their views considering factors such as age, gender, scientific background and their practical knowledge on the topic.
The level of awareness among young people regarding Sustainability issues, appeared to be significantly impacted by age, while the influence of other factors such as gender and academic background was found to be lesser. A notable disparity was observed in the extent to which universities inform and educate about Sustainability issues and the extent to which young people wish to be informed and educated. Most participants seemed pessimistic about achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The remarkable interest of young people, highlighted through our surveys and communication with stakeholders, as well as their need for better and higher quality information on these topics, led Get Involved to develop the initiative of ESG Insights: Impactful Awareness in collaboration with Velos Advisory. At the same time, the team decided to develop educational materials on ESG issues.
Get Involved, introduces ESG & Sustainability issues in the agenda of the European Central Bank Simulation Conference. For this purpose, suitable educational materials were developed, focused on the impact of ESG and Climate Change on the European financial system and price stability.
As part of ESG Insights, we collaborated with Velos Advisory to publish an index comprising 29 definitions, milestones, and conditions in the ESG and Sustainability sector. The main objective of this initiative was to help a wide audience understand the key concepts of the sector.
The ESG Insights, one of the first Greek ESG Newsletters, was published monthly from November 2021 to May 2024. Its aim was to inform the public about the most significant developments in the field of ESG, both in Greece and internationally.
In early 2023, the team of Get Involved, dedicated to its commitment to providing high quality education and information around ESG and Sustainability issues, developed the Sustainable Future pillar. Through this, it provides students and graduates with comprehensive education and information on the ever-evolving landscape of sustainability and ESG.
The Sustainable Future pillar contains initiatives aimed at promoting knowledge and understanding of ESG issues.
In March 2023, Get Involved introduced into its strategy the systematic organization of educational seminars, covering a variety of topics and issues in the field of Sustainability and ESG.
The first event, focused on the challenges facing the Greek Economy regarding ESG, aiming to understand the ESG criteria, the regulatory framework, and the importance of their adoption by companies. Finally, students and representatives from academia discussed the introduction of ESG topics into the curriculum of Greek universities.
While the first educational seminar garnering remarkable interest from young people, Get Involved organized the next event on the topics of Sustainability & ESG, in May 2023.
While the first event highlighted more the role of banking, the existing regulatory framework and corporate transformation, the second event focused on the energy market and its role in the sustainable development of the economy. As the energy crisis and geopolitical developments shaping international “green” trends, the aim of the event was for young people to understand the prospects and challenges in the energy sector.
In 2024, Get Involved expanded its commitment to fostering a sustainable future, and in February of that year, conducted a survey entitled “ESG & Sustainability Youth Perspectives”. The findings of this study were published in April of 2024. The study, in which 447 young people from Greece participated, aged 18 to 29, examined the perspectives and expectations of the youth about the role of universities, companies, and institutions around ESG and Sustainability issues. By highlighting their beliefs, an active dialogue is initiated between young people and stakeholders on these topics
75.39% of the sample believe that Universities in Greece do not adequately educate and inform on ESG and Sustainability topics.
85%, would be more positively inclined to work for a company recognized for its performance on ESG & Sustainability issues.
The majority of the respondents (64,65%), were pessimistic about the about the likelihood of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Building upon the dynamics of educational seminars, which aim to promote an active dialogue between young students and academia, the market, and institutions, the Get Involved team held the third Sustainable Future event.
This event focused on the developments and existing challenges shaping ESG factors in the energy, supply chain, and financial sectors. Additionally, career opportunities were highlighted during the event for young participants in these industries, along with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to pursue these professional opportunities.