About
With 2030 fast approaching, the world has only a few years left to achieve the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Now more than ever, fresh ideas, innovative projects and the active engagement of young people are essential to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and shaping a vision for sustainable development beyond 2030. To support this ambition, the Ban Ki-moon Foundation and the Austrian Federal Chancellery have launched the Gen2030+ Fellowship Program for the Future of Sustainable Development. The program brings together 18 young adults from across Austria and equips them with the knowledge, skills and support to drive sustainable change in their communities. Fellows deepen their understanding of sustainability issues and the national and international frameworks and processes shaping sustainable development, while developing and implementing their own projects to advance the SDGs.
Throughout the programme, fellows will benefit from:
- €1,000 in funding to support the implementation of their local SDG project
- A two-day study visit to Vienna, including visits to key institutions and opportunities to engage with decision-makers and relevant SDG stakeholders
- Mentoring from experts in the field of sustainability
- Insights into local and regional sustainability processes
- Peer-to-peer exchange with like-minded and motivated young people, as well as networking opportunities with stakeholders from public administration, academia, the private sector and civil society
Learn more about our Fellows below!
Gen2030+ Fellows
Alena Boskovic
Vienna
Alena Boskovic
As a passionate young woman, I strongly believe that young people play a vital role in shaping a sustainable future. I see the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular as an opportunity to make global challenges more tangible and inspire young people to actively contribute to positive change.
Alongside my volunteer work, I work as a Marketing Manager and study law. This combination has allowed me to develop experience in communication and content creation, while fostering a strong interest in societal issues.
I want to use my creativity, commitment, and communication skills to make the SDGs more accessible and relevant to young people, empowering them to take action and make a difference themselves.
Valerie Dzakic
Burgenland
Valerie Dzakic
I am studying Energy and Environmental Management at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland and have deep roots in my hometown of Rechnitz. With qualifications in quality and environmental management, I combine technical expertise with a strong focus on resource-efficient processes.
Together with my partner, I co-founded Herz im Korb, a regional food and tourism initiative that brings together our strong connection to our home region and our entrepreneurial ambitions. Through this project, we aim to strengthen regional value creation and actively promote sustainable, low-impact tourism in rural areas.
Maximilian Fuchslueger
Lower Austria
Maximilian Fuchslueger
Maximilian Fuchlueger co-initiated the first Fridays for Future strikes in Austria and was involved in the Erde Brennt movement. Through the Leaders of Tomorrow programme by Pioneers of Change, he created empowering spaces for young people, combining art, mindfulness and activism. He spent five months living and teaching at the SEKEM sustainability initiative near Cairo, Egypt. He is currently studying Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Graz and is active in the Alternative Students’ Representation (Alternativreferat) of the University of Graz’s Austrian Students’ Union (ÖH).
Michael Griesser
Carinthia
Michael Griesser
Michael Griesser, 20, has been actively involved in youth advocacy for children’s rights and social participation for several years. He is a member of the UNICEF Global Child and Youth Mental Health Council and the UNICEF Austria Youth Advisory Board. He is also involved with organisations and initiatives such as Saferinternet.at and the Klagenfurt Youth Council.
Alongside his advocacy work, he studies Law and Applied Business Administration. As a freelance journalist, he publishes opinion pieces and articles on social and youth policy issues, primarily in national print media.
His current work focuses on child and youth participation, mental health, digital environments, and exploring how young people can actively shape political and societal change.
Agnes Graninger
Vorarlberg
Agnes Graninger
I have been shaped by the sustainable lifestyle my parents instilled in me, the many mountain hikes in my home region of Vorarlberg, my involvement in the Scouts, which taught me the value of community, and my volunteer work at a youth centre and in agriculture. I am characterised by my love of nature and my ability to keep an overview and create structure. In every area of my life, I strive to bring people together and put my creativity to use. What drives me is the question of how we want to shape the way we live together, both now and beyond 2030. Through Wurzelwerk – Gemeinsam für Umweltbildung (Rootwork – Together for Environmental Education), I aim to contribute to finding an answer.
Nicola Kaltenbböck
Vienna
Nicola Kaltenbböck
My name is Nicola Kaltenböck, and I am studying Environmental Education and Counselling in Vienna. Sustainability has been a very important topic to me ever since my school days, mainly because I believe that everyone deserves a good quality of life. Through my school’s Climate Club, I was able to learn a great deal and was inspired to volunteer for Südwind, a human rights organisation. I am still involved in this work today. What I particularly appreciate about it is how it combines the promotion of human rights with the fight for climate protection. In my free time, I enjoy going for runs and spending time in nature, cooking delicious meals, and making music.
Ibrahim Kandil
Vienna
Ibrahim Kandil
My name is Ibrahim Kandil, and my professional experience is complemented by many years of voluntary commitment to youth work. I studied Business Management and Entrepreneurship, followed by a Master’s degree in Management – Controlling.
Alongside my professional work as a project manager, I am actively involved in the Muslim Youth of Austria (Muslimische Jugend Österreich), where I help develop projects and educational programmes for young people and take on responsibilities in various areas.
I am particularly passionate about equal opportunities, social participation, and sustainable development. I strive to support young people in discovering their potential, taking on responsibility, and actively shaping the communities and environments they are part of.
Manuel Kasper
Styria
Manuel Kasper
I am a student teacher specialising in English and Inclusive Education. I have already served as the lead coordinator of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) project “Kinderleicht zur Eigenständigkeit” (“Towards Independence Made Easy”), which focuses on developing an educational board game designed to help children and young people navigate the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Felicia Ladig
Upper Austria
Felicia Ladig
When I was 15, during a gap year in the United States, I took to the streets collecting signatures to find out whether climate change was a global phenomenon. It was then that I discovered my calling as a climate activist. I already suspected that the construction industry played a significant role in global CO₂ emissions, which led me to pursue a degree in architecture.
Since then, sustainability has been a part of my everyday life — whether through my studies at BASEhabitat in Linz, my involvement in student representation, my travels, my work as a sustainability consultant, my job at an architecture firm, or simply through conversations with like-minded people — as well as those who challenge my views!
Have the courage to stand up and take action!
Johannes Linder
Salzburg
Joannes Linder
My name is Johannes, and I am currently in my third semester of the Master’s programme in Communication Design at the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (FH Salzburg). I previously completed my Bachelor’s degree in the same field at the university and have been living in Salzburg for the past four years.
I originally grew up in East Tyrol, where I also completed an apprenticeship as a plumbing and heating technician. For health reasons, I was unable to continue working in this profession, which led me to take a new direction. After a year of preparatory courses for the Berufsreifeprüfung (an Austrian qualification that provides access to higher education), I obtained the qualification needed to pursue university studies.
Now, I have the opportunity to work with highly talented colleagues on a project that once again puts sustainability at its heart.
Annelie Marchsteiner
Styria
Annelie Marchsteiner
Annelie Marchsteiner is an Austrian Political Science student and young professional with a strong interest in international cooperation, diplomacy, and sustainable governance. She serves as Board Member for International Coordination at the European Youth Parliament Austria and is actively involved in international youth cooperation and governance-related projects. Through her work with the Global Academy for Future Governance and her experience in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and international event management, she has developed a strong commitment to connecting young people with decision-making processes. Annelie is passionate about fostering cross-cultural dialogue and creating opportunities for young people to actively shape a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Laura Munz
Vienna
Laura Munz
Laura Munz studied in Germany and Austria and holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Pedagogy, as well as master’s degrees in Childhood Studies and Children’s Rights, and African Studies. She combines expertise in the social sciences with many years of civil society engagement. In 2019, she founded Hearts of Sunshine e.V. in Germany, followed by Hearts of Sunshine – Austrian-African Development and Educational Work in Austria in 2025. Hearts of Sunshine operates in Germany, Austria, and Tanzania, working to promote equal opportunities and sustainable social development. Through her interdisciplinary education and international practical experience, she bridges local perspectives and global contexts.
Johanna Österreicher
Vienna
Johanna Österreicher
My name is Johanna Österreicher. My background combines fashion, media, and organisation. After completing my school-leaving exams at the Hallein School of Fashion, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication Studies in Klagenfurt and am currently studying Producing at the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. Alongside my passion for photography, I bring strong organisational skills developed through managing complex media projects. I would like to contribute this expertise to the Gen2030+ Fellowship to bring a planned sustainable fashion event in Vienna to life. I believe that initiatives like this can make the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) more tangible within the fashion industry and inspire meaningful, positive change.
Alena Petric
Vienna
Alena Petric
I am 21 years old and from Vienna. I am currently studying Spatial Planning at TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology). Before that, I attended the Camillo Sitte Technical College, where I specialised in building construction.
Since my school days, I have been committed to youth participation, gender equality and equal opportunities for women, particularly in the technical field, as well as climate action.
In addition to founding an association and network for female students at technical colleges (HTLs) and volunteering with various organisations, I spent the past two years working with the NGO CliMates as Head of Communications for LCOY Austria (the Austrian Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change), where I was responsible for shaping the conference’s public image and communications.
Soha Saraidarian
Upper Austria
Soha Saraidarian
Soha Saraidarian is a student in Upper Austria with a particular interest in sustainability, education, and youth participation. For two consecutive years, she explored sustainability-related topics through student internships funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), also investigating existing gaps in how sustainability is taught and put into practice in Austrian schools. These experiences contributed to the development of EduZero, an initiative that aims to make sustainability tangible for students and motivate them to take action in their everyday school lives. She is particularly interested in how education, digital approaches, and community engagement can help actively involve young people in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Helena Schachinger
Salzburg
Helena Schachinger
Helena Schachinger is pursuing a master’s degree in Political Science and works as a Research Assistant at the University of Salzburg. Outside academia, her main areas of focus are equal opportunities, inclusion, and finding ways to ensure that all young people have access to international educational and professional opportunities. She is committed to advocating for the rights and participation of people with disabilities and works to highlight existing structural barriers and bring about lasting change. Most recently, she addressed structural barriers faced by people with disabilities and raised awareness among participants at the European Forum Alpbach. Through Omnes ad Astra, she aims to create tangible opportunities for young people with disabilities and encourage institutions to embrace inclusive solutions.
Rahma Shehab
Vienna
Rahma Shehab
My name is Rahma Shehab, I am 23 years old, from Vienna, and currently in my seventh semester of medical school. I have been part of the Muslim Youth of Austria (Muslimische Jugend Österreich) since my teenage years, first as a participant and now as a mentor.
The MJÖ has helped me grow as a person, empowering me and turning my weaknesses into strengths. From an early age, it has been important to me that young girls recognise their own worth, because women are an essential part of our society.
Through the project “Know Your Potential”, I want to empower other young girls in the same way. By taking part in the Fellowship, I also hope to gain additional knowledge, guidance, and mentorship to further develop and strengthen this initiative.
Pauline Stockhammer
Vorarlberg
Pauline Stockhammer
Pauline Stockhammer combines her passion for sustainability with a desire to inspire people to actively shape the world around them. Having grown up in Upper Austria, she studied Law in Vienna and now works in Vorarlberg in the field of renewable energy.
Her studies inspired her to take conscious responsibility for society and the environment, recognise opportunities for positive change, and take action herself. She is particularly interested in how good ideas can be transformed into collective action.
She firmly believes that sustainable change often starts on a small scale: in local communities, in everyday life, and through interactions between people. Through her project, she aims to strengthen community bonds and make sustainability tangible and accessible in everyday life.
