As YES-Europe Austria, we develop arguments for a socially responsible energy transition, organise internal meetings and public events with experts from the energy industry on a regular basis. Our team includes students, young professionals, lecturers and consultants with experience in the energy sector. We consider the energy transition and climate change a major socio-political challenge and strive to enhance the knowledge exchange between science, industry, and politics. Our approach incorporates an entrepreneurial and networking mindset, based on scientific facts.
Current Projects
One of YES-Europe Austria’s main projects was hosting the “Energy and Sustainability Day 2023” in Vienna, supported by “Wiener Bildungsakademie.” As a Europe-wide network of students and young professionals passionate about renewable energy and sustainability, they organized an event that addressed the interconnected climate, energy, and social crises.
The event featured engaging talks and panel discussions and international guests joined us via stream, while also having guests attending in person at the Wiener Bildungsakademie in Vienna.
We appreciate the support of volunteers who contributed to the success of this event and are looking forward to building a greener, more sustainable future together!
For more updates and upcoming events, stay tuned to our website and social media channels.
About Our Team
YES-Europe offers a platform to develop both international as well as national initiatives to shape the future of energy in Europe and give a space for youth to act within this fundamental transition. On a local level, YES-Europe Austria advocates for a renewable, smart and socially just energy transition. Our active team currently consists of 12 experts and is structured horizontally. We work in small groups that meet regularly and collaborate on local initiatives, online formats and publications. Jeremias Jobst is the country representative and coordinator. He brings his expertise on sustainable finance and socio-economic impacts of climate change adaptation to events, lectures and publications. Amir Muzaferovic supports international coordination as CO-CR and builds capacity in the field of hydrogen technologies.
Bernhard Fürnsinn is responsible for the strategic development of YES-Europe Austria and can draw on a lot of knowledge and professional experience in the field of wind power. Florian Zach has broad expertise in the development of non-profit organisations and supports us in event planning and is an expert in social entrepreneurship. An organisation without specialisation and content capacities would be a lifeless entity. As a dynamic organization with an agile internal organisation, we are proud of our experts. Alexandra Manhard has experience in the waste and energy management industry. Philipp Steininger is a passionate climate activist who brings a lot of technical and socio-political know-how – especially on the topic of energy communities. An important pillar of our team is Guntram Preßmair, who focuses on electricity markets and e-mobility. Another valuable source of expertise is Stephanie Koch, who works as an Environment & Climate Change Expert for one of the largest energy companies in Austria. Special thanks go to Alin-Florin Calin, who has been building up YES-Europe Austria for over two years and brings many contacts and experience to the organisation, and who is stepping aside from his role as country representative due to time constraints. However, he continues to support us with his network and expertise in energy law. Particularly valuable are his insights into energy policy, which he gathers in the course of his work as a local politician.
Since the beginning of 2023, we have three new volunteers in the team, who currently support us at our YES-EUROPE AUSTRIA “Energy & Sustainability Day in Vienna” and bring in a lot of expertise. Barbara Gösenbauer supports us in project management and external communication, she brings scientific expertise on social sustainability. The experience of Lisa Wolf is also enormously helpful; she works at the Green Energy Lab and is excellently cross-linked. We would also like to highlight Martin Mayr, who supports us immensely with the project process and graphic details.
But one important person is still missing and that is YOU. Engagement is needed, because the Paris Agreement and a socially just energy transition can only become reality if YOU participate.
Send us an email at austria@yeseurope.org – we would love to hear from you.
My interest in climate and energy topics is closely rooted in my experience during my semester abroad in Strasbourg 2019. During this period, the “yellow vest protests” (Gilet Jaunes) were formed, some of which were violently suppressed. It became clear to me that the energy transition is not only a technological but above all a social issue. Europe is facing major societal challenges, and the goal should be an energy transition which is peaceful, solidary, and prosperous. In my master theses as a socio-economist and urban sociologist, I dealt with the topics of sustainability and climate change adaptation in the housing and transport sectors.