#ClimateofChange: the human face of climate change

Climate change is a reality and the most vulnerable communities bear the brunt of its effects. It forces some people to become climate-induced migrants.

The #ClimateofChange project has a bold mission: building a better future for those facing the worst effects of the climate crises and empowering youth in Europe to become advocates on global justice issues.

This project is supported by DEAR - the EU's Development Education and Awareness Raising Programme.

Objectives

#ClimateofChange places the voices of youth and the most affected communities at the heart of its campaign. It highlights the connection between migration, climate change and the need to transform our economy. Its vision promotes and protects the human rights of all people, without harming others or destroying the environment. It fights for effective policies that work toward socially and ecologically just economies

Project activities

#ClimateOfChange started with research to support an evidence-based narrative on the nexus between migration and climate change. A survey of 16-35 year-olds in 23 EU countries found that the links between climate change and human mobility are not obvious to many. It also observed that climate change’s social aspects are largely under-explored, notably in comparison with environmental aspects. 

Debate contests about climate change and migration took place across European high schools, universities and youth centres. The pan-European finals took place in Brussels, in November 2021. 26 "champions for a human economy" from 13 EU countries visited Kenya and highlighted the connection between its changing climate and lifestyles in Europe through social media. They promoted their stories from the field and held TedX talks on the nexus between climate change and migration in 4 EU cities.

#ClimateOfChange also mobilised young people to advocate for more sustainable economic models, including specific protection schemes for climate migrants. Youth were given a voice at advocacy activities at local, national, European and international level, including at COP27, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Egypt.

Results

Young people and educators are learning and advocating about the complex connections between migration and climate change, and the role of sustainable development work in and outside of Europe. The approach is evidence-based, collecting data and testimonies from four countries highly affected by climate change: Guatemala, Senegal, Kenya and Cambodia.

#ClimateOfChange promotes its messages around environmental action and justice through creative events, including a contemporary circus tour in nine countries (see the trailer) and 60 festivals, with 14.000 participants. The video documentary of the tour won “best short” at the “Environmental Film & Screenplay Festival” and is still being screened across EU universities and schools.

#ClimateOfChange critically examines global interdependencies through innovative and learner empowerment approaches, via debates with over 10 000 students, 86 workshops, media trainings, public fora and demonstrations, as well as petitions and stunts. The #ClimateOfChange petition has been signed by over 105 000 people to call for effective change on environmental and social rights. Social media campaigns are reaching ten million people through innovative formats such as social experiment videos and a #WonderWomen series of four episodes, shot in Kenya, Tunisia, Germany and Italy - connecting climate and social issues, specifically gender rights.

Implementing partners

• Italy: WeWorld GVC
• Austria: Südwind
• Belgium: EEB - European Environmental Bureau and ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy
• Bulgaria: Bulgarian Environmental Partnership Foundation
• Cyprus: University of Nicosia Research Foundation
• Germany: Oxfam Deutschland and FINEP – Forum für internationale entwicklung +planung
• Greece: Action Aid Hellas
• Hungary: Hungarian Baptist Aid
• Italy: Comune di Bologna / Municipality of Bologna and UNIBO - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna
• Poland: Buy Responsibly Foundation