Green Diversity?! – Inspiring Youth for Climate Action + Justice

"<< Background >>Climate activists around the world have gained more visibility. But to what extent is the climate movement really ‘climate just’, given that most of those involved are from well-educated, middle-class backgrounds? For the global climate justice movement to open up and grow, we need renewed climate justice narratives led by the voices of those most affected. But how? We need to change the way stories are told about these marginalised groups – from passively victimising them to affirming their active resistance. People with origin in the countries most affected are often the least listened to. Yet, they have the possibility to - on the one hand - show how the climate crisis is not a problem of the future but is already affecting the lives of people in numerous countries. On the other hand, they provide ideas how to become active against the climate crisis in their surroundings and how to create resilient environments and communities. We provide a platform for this stories to spread. We need new ways of telling real stories – personal, inclusive and inspiring – that we can use in educational work and climate activism across Europe and beyond. And further, we as organisations need to find our paths to contribute to climate justice. << Objectives >>The implementation of the ""Green Diversity?!"" project aimed to address the systemic biases within the climate movement and empower marginalized communities to actively engage in climate activism. By strengthening the capacities of youth educators, NGO staff, and volunteers, our objective was to create a more inclusive space for those with fewer opportunities. Through innovative approaches such as storytelling and art-based learning, we sought to develop emotional literacy and foster a deeper understanding of climate justice among participants. Furthermore, by promoting active civil participation and embedding climate justice into the structures of NGOs and associations, we aimed to catalyse systemic change within our own organizations and beyond. The project's tangible outcomes, including the 'Storytelling for Green Diversity' toolkit, the 'I, the climate activist' interactive map, and the 'Climate Justice Policy Box,' were designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue, amplify diverse voices, and spark new debates towards a more equitable and sustainable future.<< Implementation >>The core of the project activities was centred on learning, teaching and training activities in the line-up for (1) the production of a ‘Storytelling Toolkit for Green Diversity (WORK PACKAGE 2); (2) the design of an ‘Interactive Map of Climate Activists’ (WORK PACKAGE 3); and (3) the design of a ‘Climate Justice Policy Box’ (WORK PACKAGE 4). The remaining work packages had a supporting function – in terms of project management/coordination and dissemination (WORK PACKAGE 1) as well as monitoring, evaluation, learning and communication (WORK PACKAGE 5).WORK PACKAGE 2 - Production of a ‘Storytelling Toolkit for Green Diversity’ (led by SCI Germany)A total of 22 storytelling methods, tools and approaches from the different organisations and local contexts were collected, visually designed, jointly reviewed and tested, and finally translated into five different languages (English, German, Spanish, Finnish and Italian). Additionally, the toolkit was refined for Easy English prior to translation, to ensure an inclusive access to the usage of the Storytelling toolkit, printed in English, German, Spanish, and Italian and distributed to the partner organizations. The Storytelling Toolkit for Climate Justice is also available online as open source for download. (https://www.jugendeinewelt.at/engagement/bildungsarbeit/green-diversity/storytelling-toolkit-for-climatejustice/)The ´Green Diversity Material Testing´ Workshop (LTTA2, February 2023) gathered 19 participants from different countries, Afghanistan, Austria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ukraine. The LTTA2 contained workshops on climate justice, storytelling, and a variety of group cohesion methods, making use of a variety of methods from the non-formal education spectrum. In addition to the workshop, time was provided for testing the Green Diversity?! Results produces so far. This comprised an assessment unit for Result 2, and small group sessions on testing group methods for Result 1. A one-day excursion to the nearby lignite open pit minings (Garzweiler II) and a visit of the protest camps in a neigbouring forest, followed by a guided walk through one of the villages cleared for quarrying with its inhabitants largely evicted, provided the participants with on-spot learning about threats for the climate, climate activism in different forms, and climate justice. WORK PACKAGE 3 - Production of a ‘Interactive Map of Climate Activists’ (led by JEW)A three-day ‘Storytelling Lab’ (LTTA 1) was organised for youth to learn about Climate Justice, Storytelling Techniques, Campaigns, Climate Action and how to share their stories. 26 participants from Afghanistan, Austria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ukraine participated in the event and gained experience on collaboration and methods to continue working with young people on climate justice. The Interactive Map for young Climate Activists was collaboratively designed and developed to offer a platform for young people to tell their stories. 13 videos and 1 written story from climate activists from Colombia, Ecuador, Finland, Mozambique, India, Senegal, Spain, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe have been collected, edited and added to the Interactive Map (https://globe.jugendeinewelt.at/). The information on each project, as well as the subtitles are available in 9 languages (English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Finish, Romanian, Turkish, Bulgarian). The stories visible on the map support the methods and learning approaches of the Storytelling Toolkit. WORK PACKAGE 4 - Production of a ‘Climate Justice Policy Box’ (led by LVIA)An online kick-off with the legal representatives and/or board members of the participating organisations and representatives of the target groups was held to (1) collect existing practises, (2) ensure the commitment of the organisational leaders, and (3) use existing good practice documents as a starting point. A workshop (LTTA3) was held to reflect on the current organisational policy practices and on how to facilitate participatory development and implementation processes within the organisation. For this workshop 14 staff members and volunteers from the partner organisations came together to set ground for a collaborative draft on a Climate Justice Policy Toolbox. This Toolbox was written collaboratively and is available online in 5 languages (English, German, Italian, Spanish and Finnish). It contains elements for defining Climate Justice, an understanding what a policy is and does, possible leverage points for organisations, a checklist for your organisational assessment and planning, a guide to the process of implementation & accountability and an advice for communication. Additionally a Padlet containing different sources and policies for inspiration was created. The tools are accessible online as an open source: https://www.jugendeinewelt.at/engagement/bildungsarbeit/green-diversity/green-diversity-climate-justice-policy-box/ The completed products have been advertised through the communication and social media platforms of all partner organizations and their networks, and they have been incorporated into the Green Diversity website www.green-diversity.org. The multiplier events served for dissemination to other NGOs, climate education practitioners and youth workers.<< Results >>PROJECT RESULT 1: The ""Storytelling Toolkit for Climate Justice"" is a visually engaging resource tailored for youth workers, climate activists, and educators. Available in English, German, Finnish, Italian, and Spanish, both online and in print versions, the toolkit offers a powerful approach to integrating discussions on climate crisis and discrimination. Prior to translation, the toolkit underwent refinement for Easy English, ensuring accessibility for all users.PROJECT RESULT 2: ""I, the climate activist"" presents an interactive map featuring 13 short videos and a written article highlighting climate activists worldwide. Each video, lasting 3-5 minutes, offers insights into local contexts and personal testimonies on their journey toward climate justice activism. With subtitles and project information available in 9 languages, including English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Finish, Romanian, Turkish, and Bulgarian, this resource amplifies diverse voices on a global scale.PROJECT RESULT 3: The ""Climate Justice Policy Box"" empowers organizations to embrace climate justice, fostering new dialogues and promoting inclusive, diverse, and equitable practices. This toolbox comprises essential elements such as defining Climate Justice, understanding policy mechanisms, identifying organisational leverage points, assessment checklists, implementation guides, and communication advice. Additionally, a Padlet featuring various sources and policy examples supports the development of organisational Climate Justice Policies. This padlet provides access to the climate justice policies developed by the partner organisations during the Green Diversity project, which will continue to evolve within each organization.Through the successful implementation of the project, we have achieved the following outcomes: Individual Level: - 38 NGO staff have increased competences on climate justice & policy development.- 175 persons have been reached at multiplier events - 45 youth and group leaders (including 27 youth with fewer opportunities), who attended the LTTA 1 & 2, are equipped with storytelling competences (adding 83 persons who were reached through local storytelling events) - over 900 online clicks/downloads, 118 printed versions of visual toolkit distributed, 13 videos and 1 written contribution from young climate activists, with over 500 video views.- Material (visual toolkit, interactive map, climate justice policy box) Institutional level: - 5 partner organisations are better equipped for strengthening youth participation in their future programmes- 5 partner organisations have improved competences in transnational project management - 5 partner organisations can use art-based learning approaches within their wider programmatic work on climate justice - 5 partner organisations are pioneers in setting up climate justice policy documents to make their organisational cultures more inclusive and diverse, and inspire other organisations to do the sameThe wider climate justice education sector: - Availability and accessibility of innovative pedagogical resources that foster learning through social experiences and art based learning. - Young people with fewer opportunities become agents of change in their own contexts - Availability and accessibility of guidelines for policy documents tailored to the needs and interests of NGOs/youth associations dealing with climate justice education. – A fruitful exchange and learning space among transnational actors active in climate justice – reflections are used in each country to advance existing programmes or foster new approaches altogether - Communication and Social media channels: around 50.000 persons were reached. Different channels were used by the organisations: Website, Magazine, Newsletters, Mailing lists, Facebook & Facebook Groups, Instagram, Trainings and Events."