Pola Zabuska, originally from Poland, had a problem with politics.
After studying it for years, she realized something was wrong.
– I realized it is often a very negative space, with people fighting for power, but not actually doing anything helpful for ordinary citizens, like me, she says.
So she started doing something about it.
Now 23 and finishing her Master’s in Political Science in Amsterdam, Pola has become a part of the team behind ReGeneration Week 2025 – a youth sustainability festival happening in Åland, Finland this August.
– This year’s theme, Safety Beyond Borders, is very relevant in these unstable times for the Baltic region. With threats such as climate disasters, the rise of far-right, and military interventions, civil security is rising in importance.
📣 Pola is passionate about youth engagement and climate justice — here captured in action.
Opening doors for others
Pola joined ReGeneration 2030 – the youth organization behind the festival, because of her interest in climate justice and youth empowerment.
Through their Catalyst for Change program, she’s now helping with promotion, reaching out to organizations and supporting social media efforts.
She explains her motivation:
– There are a lot of young people who do not believe that the current social-economic systems are correct and support ecological transition, but they do not feel like they have any power to change the reality.
The truth is, there are many barriers to meaningful youth engagement, especially the tokenisation of youth voices
Therefore, young people with a voice need to open doors for others, she explains.
– The young people who are heard need to advocate to open the space more for others, and mobilize each other for common action, to make a bigger impact.
🎓 Now based in Amsterdam, Pola is finishing her master’s in political science while working on youth-led climate action across the region.
A week of youth action
This year’s event runs from August 22-26 in Mariehamn, Åland.
Pola describes it as something special:
– Because it brings together young people from across the region to learn from each other and mobilize for collective action.
– It is a safe space where we share our best practices, make connections and enjoy our time in nature.
The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference happens at the same time, meaning young activists can speak directly with regional policymakers.
– My hope is that the ideas of young people generated during the ReGeneration Week 2025 would be translated into tangible policies.
Finds peace in nature
Despite her digital organizing work, Pola finds her best ideas come when she’s offline.
– I like the moments when I am without my phone and I can enjoy what is around me. This when I get inspired and motivated to strengthen my climate advocacy efforts.
🍃 Offline moments in nature help Pola reconnect with what drives her advocacy.
As she finishes her master; her thesis focuses on climate justice in the Baltic Sea region, she explains what it is about sustainability that attracts her.
– Sustainability for me is a policy area that connects restoring the ecosystems, creating a more healthier environment, and fighting social inequalities, she explains.
– Even if it is a small change, it brings me an enormous amount of satisfaction to see my efforts realized and make somebody’s life better.
This interview was done by Markus Thonhaugen from the High North Center, Nord University as part of the YoungArctic project — an initiative working to make the Arctic a more attractive place for young people to settle, work, and live. Through our Instagram page and this blog, we share stories from youth across the region — to better understand their lives, hopes, and challenges.