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23 January 2023
Newsletter January 2023
Boosting Climate Education through Networking and Training
Disclaimer: This article was taken as is from Boosting Climate Education through Networking and Training
Today is International Day of Education, an opportunity to look at why climate change education is important and to highlight how UN Climate Change and its partners are bringing together government experts, along with practitioners and learners, to boost knowledge about climate change.
To coincide with International Day of Education, we’re also launching a new space on LinkedIn to promote sharing of information, resources, knowledge, and collaboration on the issue.
Climate change education is one central foundation to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. It can provide everyone – children, youth and adults – with the necessary knowledge and skills to deal with climate change both in terms of building resilience to ever more severe and unpredictable weather and harnessing the many opportunities of clean, sustainable and just economies.
Networking is crucial to connect the community of professionals, practitioners and learners working on climate change education – through training sessions and exchanges of practical information.
Climate Education sorely lacking
Education about climate change, above all for young people, is presently sorely lacking on a global scale. According to a recent report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), young people are dissatisfied with the quality of climate change education they presently receive. 27% of respondents say they cannot at all explain what climate change is and 41% say they are only able to explain the broad principles of climate change.
The report was presented by UNESCO at last year’s Climate Change Conference COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and was based on a global survey involving around 17,500 young people from 166 countries on youth and climate education.
77% of the young people polled strongly agree that climate change should be taught by people from various backgrounds, to address the complexity of the issue. Many want to go beyond school walls to learn through project-based activities, including working with local organizations and experts.
Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) as a key toolbox for climate education
The importance of climate change education has long been firmly anchored in the UN climate change process, in a field of work called Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). ACE is a toolbox which includes climate change education, public awareness, training, public participation, public access to information and international cooperation on these matters.
Recognizing the growing importance of ACE, governments adopted the Glasgow work programme on ACE at COP26 two years ago. Through this work programme, countries and companies are, for example, to be put in a better position to build an appropriately skilled workforce for the just transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies. Furthermore, university graduates are to be enabled to understand how their chosen profession can contribute to the cause of and solutions to the climate crisis.
At COP27, a special ministerial round table on climate change education was held, and governments adopted a four-year action plan to flesh out specific activities that were agreed in principal in Glasgow. The plan foresees greater regional and international cooperation on climate change education through dialogues, workshops and consultations over the next years, along with increased support for ACE and better reporting.
Focus on greening schools and learning
Last year, the UN Climate Change secretariat contributed to the global discussion on how to improve climate change education with a series of events co-organized with UNESCO titled “Climate Change Education for Social Transformation”. These webinars explored the critical role and ways of greening education policies and curricula and aligning them with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The webinars brought together policymakers, experts, teachers, students and activists from around the world to share their stories and call to action. In particular, the voices of youth, women, indigenous and traditional leaders were heard, who expressed the urgency to act on climate change and called for more financial and capacity-building support.
This series will continue this year in the lead up to COP28 in Dubai, with a focus on greening schools. This is also happening in the context of the UN-led Greening Education Partnership, which looks at how to green schools, learning, capacity-building and entire communities and sets out clear goals – for example that all school leaders and at least one teacher per school are trained on how to integrate climate change education into teaching and learning.
Other news:
UN uses new gaming technology to create environment simulation game for teenagers
Story UNEP: Five environmental trailblazers forging a better world
28 December 2022
Newsletter December 2022
2022: A year of environmental milestones
Disclaimer: This article was taken as is from UNEP: 2022: A year of environmental milestones
On 2 March, in a packed Kenyan conference hall, Norwegian environment minister Espen Barth Eide hammered down a recycled plastic gavel to a chorus of cheers.
The gavelling sealed a global resolution to work towards ending plastic pollution, long considered one of the planet’s most pressing environmental blights.
The agreement was one of several major environmental accords forged in 2022, which observers have called a historic year for the planet. In pacts that unfolded from March to December, nations large and small committed to addressing everything from the fallout of climate change to a looming extinction crisis.
The agreements, many shepherded by UNEP, came at a critical time for the Earth. A triple crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste is threatening to undermine all life on the planet, experts warn.
Here’s a closer look at 2022’s environmental milestones.
World commits to ending plastic pollution
March
Close to 400 million tons of plastic waste are generated every year – a figure set to double by 2040. Only a fraction of that is recycled and much infiltrates the environment, including the ocean, where it causes a host of problems for humans and wildlife.
To counter that, states in March agreed to begin negotiations on a legally binding international agreement to end plastic pollution. The resolution, struck at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, committed nations to having a draft agreement in place by the end of 2024.
UNEP executive director Inger Andersen called it the most significant environmental multilateral deal since the Paris climate change accord. “Today marks a triumph by Planet Earth,” she said.
UNEP celebrates five decades of environmental leadership
March
Delegates from around the world gathered
in Kenya for a special session of the UN Environment Assembly to commemorate UNEP’s 50th anniversary. The event
saw participants take stock of all that has been achieved in the past five decades, including efforts to repair the
ozone layer, phase out
leaded fuel, and protect
endangered species. The event also
looked forward, examining ways that UNEP can support sustainable development in
the years to come.
States commemorate dawn of global environmental movement
June
Held in Sweden’s capital, the Stockholm+50 international meeting was a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Conference on the Human Environment, considered the birth of the modern environmental movement. It was also a time to focus on ways to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals and to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
UN anoints healthy environment a human right
July
The United Nations General Assembly declared that everyone on the planet has a right to a clean and healthy environment and called on states to step up efforts to protect nature. The resolution is not legally binding. But backers hope it will push countries to enshrine the right to a healthy environment in their constitutions, allowing campaigners to challenge environmentally destructive policies and projects.
“This resolution sends a message that nobody can take nature, clean air and water, or a stable climate away from us – at least, not without a fight,” said UNEP’s Andersen.
World takes notice of environmental challenges
This year, UNEP campaigns raised awareness about a multitude of environmental issues. World Environment Day, the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies and the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste engaged millions of people around the world, helping to put the environment front and centre in the public mind. Meanwhile, two major UNEP studies, the Emissions Gap Report and the Adaptation Gap Report, cast a spotlight on the scale of the climate crisis and what humanity must do to stave off the worst of climate change.
States commit to landmark climate change fund
November
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, states agreed to establish a fund that will support developing countries grappling with the fallout from the climate crisis. In a deal observers called historic, the so-called loss and damage fund would help vulnerable nations contend with droughts, floods and rising seas, all of which are expected to become more severe as the planet’s climate changes.
The fund had long been seen as one of the most contentious issues in climate negotiations.
“This COP has taken an important step towards justice,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Clearly this will not be enough, but it is a much-needed political signal to rebuild broken trust.”
Countries vow to protect dwindling biodiversity
December
The United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) ended in Montreal, Canada, on 19 December 2022 with a landmark agreement to guide global action on nature through to 2030. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework includes concrete measures to halt and reverse nature loss, including putting 30 per cent of the planet and 30 per cent of degraded ecosystems under protection by 2030. It is designed to counter what experts call an alarming loss of biodiversity. A seminal 2019 report found that 1 million species are being pushed towards extinction, many by human activity.
Other news:
14 November 2022
Newsletter November 2022
COP27 Presidency Launches Initiative to Support Women as Equal Players in Climate
Disclaimer: This article was taken as is from COP27 Presidency Launches Initiative to Support Women as Equal Players in Climate
Championing women as equal partners and players in implementing climate action, the COP27 Presidency launched the African Women’s Climate Adaptive Priorities (AWCAP) initiative to ramp up the inclusion of women for a climate-resilient future. The initiative will focus on strengthening women’s participation in environmental governance, and leverage opportunities within the just transition to the green economy and achieving sustainable development.
Commenting on the initiative, COP27 President H.E. Sameh Shoukrysaid: “Africa is responsible for less than 4% of global emissions and is disproportionately punished by the impact of climate change. Rural women on the continent are among the most disadvantaged as they carry the weight working at home and in the fields, and hurt by displacement due to climate change. We must implement a resilient water-energy-food transition that can provide socio-economic support to African nations and save lives and livelihoods.”
AWCAP was launched during the Opening Session of the Gender Thematic Day, attended by H.E. Minister of Environment in Egypt, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, along with President of the National Council for Women in Egypt Dr. Maya Morsi, Executive Director of UN Women Dr. Sima Bahous, and UN Climate Change high level champion for Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, who all delivered remarks.
The initiative will break down barriers for women and ensure they have better access to education, support capacity building and include them in the transition to a green economy.
Women in Africa rely substantially on environmental-related livelihoods, including agriculture, livestock management, forestry, water management, and health, all of which are disproportionately exposed to climate change. If the impact of climate change on women is not mitigated, gender equity in 2030 will be back to where it was in 2010. There is a win-win for all stakeholders in involving women in climate action, and this must be taken advantage of to develop and execute effective adaptation solutions.
Other news:
16 October 2022
Newsletter October 2022
Through Generation Equality, young activists hold the world accountable
Disclaimer: This article was taken as is from Feature UN Women: Through Generation Equality, young activists hold the world accountable
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the International Day of the Girl, an occasion devoted to celebrating the girls and young women driving change around the world. From fighting against bias and discrimination to advocating for climate action, girls are at the forefront of some of the biggest battles of our time—pushing to make the future better not just for women but for everyone.
Amidst a mounting roster of global crises—and a lack of sufficient action from global leaders—girls and young women are increasingly stepping up as organizers and advocates. They’re driving crucial conversations around social, economic and environmental injustices, and they’re pushing those in charge to get serious about fixing them. And yet, despite the critical nature of this work, youth activists remain on the outskirts of decision-making spaces.
Generation Equality, a UN Women initiative focused on accelerating progress toward gender equality, was designed with a particular focus on catalysing the energy, activism and ideas of young people. Its ambitious five-year agenda—developed with significant input from girls and young women—has gained the support of governments, civil society organizations and private sectors actors alike, with nearly 2700 commitments pledged to Generation Equality so far. These commitments, which range from financial contributions to advocacy and programmatic support, represent an estimated US$40 billion in resources for gender equality.
The initiative aims to drive action on critical issues like gender-based violence, economic equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and climate justice. For each of these issues, an Action Coalition—a global partnership between governments, civil society and international organizations, and the private sector—is leading change by securing financing, transforming gender norms, driving law and policy reform and more.
By ensuring the inclusion of youth leaders, the Feminist Action for Climate Justice Action Coalition has provided a crucial opportunity for girls and young women to join the global conversation around climate. Youth activists from groups like Fridays for Future, Teijendo Pensamientos and Break.The.Ice are making significant victories as Action Coalition leaders, from helping set ambitious five-year climate targets to making sure the partnerships implemented by Generation Equality are fair for all involved.
The activists led the preparation of a Youth Manifesto, presented to other actors in Generation Equality to make the case for centering and supporting youth leadership. They also organized a Feminist Action for Climate Justice Youth Engagement Roundtable, as well as youth consultations, during the Commission on the Status of Women-66—ensuring that their demands made it into the meeting’s agreed conclusions.
With the help of the newly launched Generation Equality Accountability Platform, youth leaders will now also be able to ensure that governments, businesses and other commitment makers are following through on their pledges. The 2022 Accountability Report, which took stock of progress over the past year, showed concrete evidence of the initiative’s impact—with nearly 80 per cent of commitments already being implemented. Within Generation Equality, young climate activists have found both a
platform to advocate for better policies as well as a space to learn and
grow together.
“Generation Equality is a space where we actually can bring change, where we are not just present, but we are loud and visible”.
7 September 2022
Newsletter September 2022
Achieving full gender equality is still centuries away, warns the United Nations
Disclaimer: This article was taken as is from Press Release UN Women: Achieving full gender equality is still centuries away, warns the United Nations in a new report
New York — At the current rate of progress, it may take close to 300 years to achieve full gender equality, the “Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): The Gender Snapshot 2022” shows. Global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, violent conflict, climate change, and the backlash against women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights are further exacerbating gender disparities. The new report, launched today by UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), highlights that, at the current pace of progress, SDG 5—achieving gender equality—will not be met by 2030.
Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director, said: “This is a tipping point for women’s rights and gender equality as we approach the half-way mark to 2030. It is critical that we rally now to invest in women and girls to reclaim and accelerate progress. The data show undeniable regressions in their lives made worse by the global crises—in incomes, safety, education, and health. The longer we take to reverse this trend, the more it will cost us all.”
“Cascading global crises are putting the achievement of the SDGs in jeopardy, with the world’s most vulnerable population groups disproportionately impacted, in particular women and girls. Gender equality is a foundation for achieving all SDGs and it should be at the heart of building back better,” said Maria-Francesca Spatolisano, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs of UN DESA.
At the current rate of progress, the report estimates that it will take up to 286 years to close gaps in legal protection and remove discriminatory laws, 140 years for women to be represented equally in positions of power and leadership in the workplace, and at least 40 years to achieve equal representation in national parliaments. To eradicate child marriage by 2030, progress must be 17 times faster than progress of the last decade, with girls from the poorest rural households and in conflict-affected areas expected to suffer the most.
The report also points to a worrisome reversal on the reduction of poverty, and rising prices are likely to exacerbate this trend. By the end of 2022, around 383 million women and girls will live in extreme poverty (on less than USD 1.90 a day) compared to 368 million men and boys. Many more will have insufficient income to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and adequate shelter in most parts of the world. If current trends continue, in sub-Saharan Africa, more women and girls will live in extreme poverty by 2030 than today.
The invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war there is further worsening food insecurity and hunger, especially among women and children, limiting supplies of wheat, fertilizer and fuel, and propelling inflation. In 2021, about 38 per cent of female-headed households in war-affected areas experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, compared to 20 per cent of male-headed households.
Further facts and figures highlighted in the report include:
- In 2020, school and preschool closures required 672 billion hours of additional unpaid childcare globally. Assuming the gender divide in care work remained the same as before the pandemic, women would have shouldered 512 billion of those hours.
- Globally, women lost an estimated USD 800 billion in income in 2020 due to the pandemic, and despite a rebound, their participation in labour markets is projected to be lower in 2022 than it was pre-pandemic (50.8 per cent, compared to 51.8 per cent in 2019).
- There are now more women and girls who are forcibly displaced than ever before: some 44 million women and girls by the end of 2021.
- Today, over 1.2 billion women and girls of reproductive age (15–49) live in countries and areas with some restriction on access to safe abortion.
Ahead of the Transforming Education Summit taking place on the margins of the UN General Assembly, the report points out that achieving universal girls’ education, while not enough by itself, would improve such an outlook significantly. Each additional year of schooling can boost a girl’s earnings as an adult by up to 20 per cent with further impacts on poverty reduction, better maternal health, lower child mortality, greater HIV prevention, and reduced violence against women.
The report showcases that cooperation, partnerships, and investments in the gender equality agenda, including through increased global and national funding, are essential to correct the course and place gender equality back on track.
Other news:
OP-ED UN Women: Expanding broadband safely and inclusively to reach digital gender equality
1 November 2022
Event
Save the dates: We4Change Changemakers Fest is coming to Belgium!
As part of the We4Change “Girls and Women connecting for environmental change” Erasmus+ international program, in November and December 2022, the We4Change Changemakers Fest is coming to Belgium!
Three We4Change Changemaking events, will bring girls and young women together with experts, trainers and business coaches, in order to develop their digital and innovation skills, increase civic engagement and unlock their changemaking potential to address climate change and drive environmental transformation.
What are the We4Change Changemaking events?
We4Change Changemakers are “hack for good” events where young women with an entrepreneurial mindset, trainers and subject experts come together during a two-day intense marathon in order to solve specific challenges posed by climate and environmental change encountered in their communities. The events include hands-on activities, training on digital, innovation and environmental awareness skills, problem-solving and co-creation of prototypes, as well as a pitching session by the changemaking teams.
Who can participate?
The events are open to all girls and women* who want to contribute to prosperous, cohesive and sustainable societies! Participants are not required to have prior digital or innovation skills. Your curiosity and commitment to address the challenges posed by climate and environmental change are all you need!
*Anyone who identifies as a girl or woman.
How will you benefit from this event?
- You will learn new skills and information to bring into your daily life: a mindset to stay open to change and innovate, learn about how climate change affects particularly girls and women, what solutions are out there to tackle them and how can you be more active in supporting your local community;
- You will acquire digital, business development and innovation skills through hands-on activities, co-creation of prototypes and pitching workshops;
- Join an international community of like-minded girls and women, including experts, activists, coaches and mentors dedicated to supporting you to achieve your changemaking potential.
When are the We4Change Changemaking events taking place?
The We4Change Changemakers Fest is organized as a series of three events with specific themes linked to climate and environmental challenges:
- 19-20 November 2022 – We4Change: Girls and Women Connecting for Sustainable Consumption
- 26-27 November 2022 – We4Change: Girls and Women Connecting for Smart Cities and Mobility
- 3-4 December 2022 – We4Change: Girls and Women f Connecting or Clean Energy & Resource Efficiency
What is the format of the We4Change Changemaking events?
Below is the general format for each event. Participants will briefly receive the exact agenda with the name of the trainers and speakers for the event they register for.
Day 1
- 9:30: Registration and coffee
- 10:00 – 11:00 : Introduction of the event thematic by Digital Leadership Institute & inspirational speech
- 11:00 – 13:00 : Workshop 1 on digital skills
- 13:00 – 14:00: Lunch break
- 14:00 – 15:00: Project proposals, ideation & team selection
- 16:00 – 18:00: Project work
Day 2
- 9:30: Registration, coffee & review of day 1
- 10:00 – 12:00 Workshop 2 on Design Thinking
- 12:00 – 16:00 Project work with coaches (1h of working lunch included)
- 16:00 – 17:00 Project presentations with jury
- 17:00 Feedback session and closing ceremony
How to participate to the We4Change Changemaking events?
The participation to the events is free of charge.
However, places are limited so you are required to fill-in this application form: https://forms.gle/YxPP1EV5kU8uqYQe9
You can also register via the dedicated Eventbrire page here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/we4change-fest-girls-and-women-connecting-for-environmental-change-tickets-461175176367
The organizing team will send a confirmation email to confirm your participation.
How else can you contribute?
If you would like to be part of to the organization of events, we are happy to receive your support! Below are some ways you can contribute:
- Be or suggest us an inspirational speaker
- Volunteer to hold one of the workshops during the events (digital skills, business training, a training linked to the event thematic)
- Volunteer to do business coaching during the hackathons
- Volunteer as jury member for the pitching competition
- Follow-up support: coaching and mentoring after the event for the winning teams.
Fill-in this partner application form and let us know how would you like to be involved: https://forms.gle/zcPnzppq1kjdm9He9
Selected organizing partners will receive a 1h online training on the main aspects of organizing a successful We4Change Changemakers event.
Frequently asked questions
I can’t stay the whole time, can I still participate?
Of course! We realize that a weekend is a long time and people may need to attend to other commitments.
What if I don’t have any digital or business skills?
You are still welcome! We have dedicated digital and business skills development sessions, so you will be learning at the same time as the other participants. As long as you come willing to learn and contribute ideas.
What if I don’t have any entrepreneurial idea?
You are still welcome! During the event you will be inspired and learn from others what kind of entrepreneurial solutions are out there or need to be developed, and you could join one of the teams already working on an idea.
What do I bring?
Bring your laptop, mobile phone, scratch paper and curiosity. We will provide some food, some drinks, wi-fi, power and challenges.
How much it costs to attend the events?
The participation to the events is free of charge.
Can I attend more than one event?
Yes, you are more than welcome to attend several events and bring new ideas to the teams.
How do I register?
Fill-in this application form: https://forms.gle/YxPP1EV5kU8uqYQe9
The organizing team will send a confirmation email to confirm your participation.
We4Change: Girls and Women connecting for environmental change is funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and seeks to contribute to the EU Youth Strategy with a specific female-focused approach, that responds directly to the specific gender-based needs of girls and young women across Europe, offering thus an appropriate and innovative way to empower and engage them in their communities and society-at-large. You can find out more about the project here: http://we4change.eu/
24 August 2022
Newsletter August 2022
Achieving Gender Equality
Disclaimer: This article was taken as is from In focus: Sustainable Development Goal 5
The Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by UN Member States in 2015, set a 2030 deadline for the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. Now, with under 10 years left to meet it, the world is not on track. Amid the intersecting crises of COVID-19, the climate emergency, and rising economic and political insecurity, progress on gender equality has not only failed to move forward but has begun to reverse. Around the world, a growing backlash against women’s rights is threatening even well-established freedoms and protections.
Without heightened commitment from the global community, gender equality will remain nothing more than an unrealized goal. The time to act and invest in women and girls is now.
The achievement of gender equality is the fifth of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) laid out in the Sustainable Development Agenda. Ten additional goals include gender-specific benchmarks, acknowledging the interconnection between women’s empowerment and a better future for all.
The latest data on progress towards gender equality across the SDGs, compiled in UN Women’s 2022 edition of our annual Gender Snapshot Report, reveals the inadequacy of present-day efforts. If change continues at its current rate, our analysis shows that gender equality will remain unrealized for centuries to come.
That’s where analysis is possible at all. Pervasive gaps in gender data pose a significant barrier to the evaluation of progress, with only 48% of data needed to monitor SDG5 currently available.
Other news:
Three challenges for rural women amid a cost-of-living crisis
29 July 2022
Newsletter July 2022
Disclaimer: This article was taken as is from Innovation Fund: EU invests €1.8 billion in clean tech projects*
Today, the EU is investing over €1.8 billion in 17 large-scale innovative clean-tech projects with a third round of awards under the Innovation Fund. Grants will be disbursed from the Innovation Fund to help bring breakthrough technologies to the market in energy-intensive industries, hydrogen, renewable energy, carbon capture and storage infrastructure, and manufacturing of key components for energy storage and renewables. The selected projects are located in Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden.
Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: “Today’s grants support innovative businesses across Europe to develop the cutting-edge technologies we need to drive the green transition. The Innovation Fund is an important tool to scale up innovations in renewable hydrogen and other solutions for European industry. Compared to the first disbursement round, the funds available have increased by 60%, enabling us to double the number of projects supported. This is a big boost for the decarbonization of energy-intensive industry in the European Union.”
The 17 projects were selected under the second call for large-scale projects, meaning they have capital costs above €7.5 million. The projects were evaluated by independent experts based on their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional technologies and to innovate beyond the state-of-the-art while being sufficiently mature for deployment. Other selection criteria included the projects’ potential for scalability and cost-effectiveness.
The selected projects cover a wide range of sectors contributing to the EU’s decarbonization efforts such as production, distribution, and use of green hydrogen, waste-to-hydrogen, offshore wind, manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) modules, battery storage and recycling, carbon capture and storage, sustainable aviation fuels, and advanced biofuels. Together, they have the potential to save 136 million tonnes of CO2eq over their first 10 years of operation.
In addition, up to 20 projects that are promising but not yet sufficiently mature for a grant will be pre-selected for project development assistance by the European Investment Bank. These will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Other news:
The Climate Tech Companies to Watch This Month: July Week 1
How Technology Can Help Fight Climate Change
Batteries made from trees and blockchain to tackle deforestation: The best green innovations of July 2021
15 July 2022
World Youth Skills Day
It is a day to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. We4Change supports female youth empowerment through digital action and civic change-making.
World Youth Skills Day 2022 takes place amid concerted efforts towards socio-economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that are interconnected with challenges such as climate change, conflict, persisting poverty, rising inequality, rapid technological change, demographic transition, and others.
29 June 2022
Newsletter June 2022
Disclaimer: This article was taken as is from Climate change measures must take account of gender equality or risk further impact on women’s quality of life, local and regional leaders warn
24 June 2022
International Day of Women in Diplomacy
This day marks the day that recognizes the trivialization of women diplomats and their contributions. Countries worldwide honor their achievements and strive toward recruiting more women into the diplomatic corps. Obstacles in the way of women achieving gender equality will be tackled and eliminated.
28 May 2022
Newsletter May 2022
Disclaimer: This article was taken as is from Gender & Climate Change: an important connection
Climate change has a greater impact on those sections of the population, in all countries, that are most reliant on natural resources for their livelihoods and/or who have the least capacity to respond to natural hazards, such as droughts, landslides, floods, and hurricanes. Women commonly face higher risks and greater burdens from the impacts of climate change in situations of poverty, and the majority of the world’s poor are women. Women’s unequal participation in decision-making processes and labor markets compound inequalities and often prevent women from fully contributing to climate-related planning, policy-making, and implementation.
Yet, women can (and do) play a critical role in response to climate change due to their local knowledge of and leadership in e.g. sustainable resource management and/or leading sustainable practices at the household and community level. Women’s participation at the political level has resulted in greater responsiveness to citizens’ needs, often increasing cooperation across party and ethnic lines and delivering more sustainable peace. At the local level, women’s inclusion at the leadership level has led to improved climate-related projects and policy outcomes. On the contrary, if policies or projects are implemented without women’s meaningful participation it can increase existing inequalities and decrease effectiveness.
Parties to the UNFCCC have recognized the importance of involving women and men equally in UNFCCC processes and in the development and implementation of national climate policies that are gender-responsive by establishing a dedicated agenda item under the Convention addressing issues of gender and climate change and by including overarching text in the Paris Agreement.
28 April 2022
International Girls in ICT Day
(Information and Communications Technology)
International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in April to stress the importance of girls in I.C.T. and encourage more girls and young women to pursue STEM education. I.C.T., the abbreviation for Information and Communications Technology, is an encompassing term for the technologies required to transmit, store, create, share, or exchange information. These technologies include the internet, computers, live broadcasting technologies, and telephony.
The We4Change project understands that I.C.T. provides career opportunities to young female professionals, access to the global market to women entrepreneurs and female-led businesses, and reduces the gender inequality gap. Therefore, one of the project’s main objectives is to offer access to educational resources and training to build girls and young women’s capacity.
27 April 2022
Newsletter April 2022
Need for Gender-Responsive Climate Actions
Climate change is accelerating and impacting many communities. Those left worse off are from poor developing countries who end up suffering more from rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions, and temperature increases.
In such developing countries women and men are impacted differently. Women are already deprived of basic education, the ability to own property, and employment opportunity. There is a suppression of their voices on many topics and climate change solution is one of them.
Women who depend on agricultural means to feed a household experiment hardship due to climate change. It makes it harder for women to navigate through the continuously changing weather patterns. For instance, if there is a drought or flood in a particular area, it becomes hard for them to get crops, that is it makes it harder for them to get food.
Thus, climate action should never disregard the needs of women because the action becomes ineffective for the needs of many. And there is much need to implement actions that are gender motivated to ensure that the consequences that climate change carries for women are well handled.
22 April 2022
Earth Day
Is the moment to change it all: the business climate, the political climate, and how to take action on climate. Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect the health of every citizen, family, and livelihood.
For Earth Day 2022, everyone needs to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take every single person out there. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A project like We4Change is for the planet. It’s time to introduce an innovative and highly effective way of engaging more girls and young women in environmental action and civic participation.
21 April 2022
World Creativity and Innovation Day
There may be no universal understanding of creativity. The concept is open to interpretation from artistic expression to problem-solving in the context of economic, social, and sustainable development. Therefore, the United Nations designated 21 April as World Creativity and Innovation Day to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development. We4Change project values creativity and innovation as an important skill that encourages girls and young women to effectively engage in society.
29 March 2022
Newsletter March 2022
Role Model Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg is a young climate activist from Sweden who started an international movement to fight climate change in 2018. With the simple, yet strong message “School strike for climate”. Thunberg skipped school on Fridays to protest outside the Swedish Parliament. Thanks to social media, she spread her actions and influenced millions of young people worldwide to organize and protests known as “Fridays for Future”. She put pressure on lawmakers to address climate change.
The participation of young women in climate action is essential as they hold decision-makers accountable and are able to provide a mobilization of the masses.
8 March 2022
International Women's Day
It is a global day celebrating women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. This day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity; gender perspective is one important aspect of the We4Change project as it aims to make a change in areas that remain highly influenced by gender-based inequalities. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.
Marked annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to:
- Celebrate women’s achievements
- Raise awareness about women’s equality
- Lobby for accelerated gender parity
- Fundraise for female-focused charities
26 February 2022
Newsletter February 2022
Climate Change isn’t Gender Neutral
There is a scientific consensus on the existence and causes of climate change. Unfortunately, those most affected end up being marginalized communities, women and girls being the most vulnerable ones. The vulnerability of women due to climate change stems from multiple factors – economic, social, and cultural. Having recognized this, the EU climate policies and the European Green Deal are valuable strategies to combat this, but it is also intrinsic to tackling gender inequalities. The recognition that the climate crisis is not gender neutral, has been adopted by some but not all. In fact, the element of gender in climate change resolution for some brings climate feminism to light.
11 February 2022
Newsletter February 2022
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
It is an annual observance adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to promote the full and equal access and participation of females in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. A theme is selected annually to highlight a particular focus and area of discussion around a focal point for gender equality in science. Just as We4Change project, it aims to engage, connect and empower women and girls to unlock their change-making potential through science.
28 January 2022
Newsletter January 2022
Women in Social Entrepreneurship – Adriana Mano
Women entrepreneurs are paving the way for a sustainable future.
There are high levels of difficulty in venturing into the business world. Anyone who is brave enough to step into the market and sell their goods and services should be applauded. Women entrepreneurs face different battles and unfortunately in many circumstances are not given the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
The initiative to adventure into entrepreneurship and addressing climate change for a sustainable future is a remarkable effort. One which was taken by our role model, Adriana Mano. She is a social entrepreneur who was able to bring forward strategic development thinking. In 2019, she founded Zouri a Portuguese eco-vegan footwear brand using plastic trash and ecologic, sustainable materials. She wants to inspire people to think creatively and see trash as a resource.
Zouri is an eco-vegan footwear brand that uses plastic trash from the Portuguese coast together with ecologic and sustainable materials. As a result, Zouri has removed 1 ton of plastic from the Portuguese beaches this year.
Other news:
Why the world needs to invest in female climate entrepreneurs
The net-zero transition: what it would cost, what it could bring
We are all complicit in climate change — so we should all pay to fix it
We4Change partners launch the Call for Applications for the Train the Trainer Workshop
Edited 15.02.2022
We4Change consortium is looking for enthusiastic youth workers and trainers to support with the We4Change Changemakers events and launched the call for applications for the Train the Trainer workshop!
What is the Train the Trainer Workshop?
It is a training dedicated to youth workers and trainers that are interested to learn how to effectively deliver a We4Change Changemakers event – a hackathon-like event that offers an innovative combination of hands-on activities, training on digital, innovation
and environmental awareness skills, problem-solving and co-creation skills to young girls and women to address climate change.
The participants will learn a series of methods of facilitation of such type of event, which includes an important gender element, but also entrepreneurship and environmental activism. They will develop their communication skills to work with a diverse audience, to change and adapt to different situations and how to handle complex group dynamics to keep things running smoothly. In addition, they will be trained to deliver or assist several workshops on themes such as: digital, design thinking and pitching.
Below you’ll find the draft programme of the training:
Upon completion of the training, participants will receive a YouthPass certificate documenting learning outcomes acquired in projects under the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.
When will the Train the Trainer Workshop take place?
The training will take place in person between 15-17 March 2022, In Brussels (Belgium). Applicants must be available to participants to the entire 3 days training.
Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the sending organization within the limits of:
- Participants from Belgium: 20 EUR travel grant and 530 EUR for individual support (accommodation and food);
- Participants from France: 180 EUR travel grant and 530 EUR for individual support (accommodation and food);
- Participants from Greece: 275 EUR travel grant and 530 EUR for individual support (accommodation and food);
- Participants from Moldova: 275 EUR travel grant and 530 EUR for individual support (accommodation and food);
- Participants from Portugal: 275 EUR travel grant and 530 EUR for individual support (accommodation and food);
Who can apply?
The training program is addressed to youth workers, trainers, coaches and mentors working or interested in working with girls and young women on the thematics covered by the We4Change project (youth empowerment, environmental action, digital skills, entrepreneurial mindset).
In order to be eligible, all applicants must:
- Be available for the entire duration of the training (15/03-17/03/2022)
- Be available to support as trainer during at least one of the We4Change Changemakers Events that will be organized by the sending organization in the period March – August 2022 (volunteer contract)
- Have a B2 English level (the training is organized in English)
- Have previous experience in working with youth in the areas covered by the We4Change project (climate change, digital skills, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship)
- Be a resident in one of the following countries: Belgium, France, Greece, Moldova or Portugal.
Application and selection procedure
All applications must be submitted via the application form available at: https://bit.ly/3FoveZA, before the set deadline of 10th of December at 23.59 CET. By submitting the application, applicants recognize to be aware and agree with the eligibility criteria and practical information shared for this call.
The applications will be evaluated in the period 13-16 of December under the following selection criteria:
- Motivation of the applicant on relation to the objectives of the training;
- Relevance of the applicant’s previous experience in the field of youth work;
- Availability to support as trainer during at least one of the We4Change Changemakers Events that will be organized by the sending organization.
Following the eligibility check and the evaluation process, the applicants will be announced about the results of selection on the 17th of December.
20 October 2021
We4Change Second Interim Meeting
On 19 and 20 October, We4Change project partners met in Lisbon to discuss the updates of the We4Change project, but also to plan the period ahead. The main points on the agenda were the We4Change Changemakers Events Curriculum and the Train the Trainer programme, representing a series of educational resources dedicated to youth workers and organizations that want to organize and promote the We4Change Changemaking Events, raise awareness, engage stakeholders and contribute to creating an ecosystem that support girls and young women as innovators of the environmental transformation.
Next year project partners will organize across Europe a series of Changemaking Events that aim to dismantle stereotypes and boost self-confidence of girls and women as innovators, with the following elements at their core:
– Intergenerational: bringing together young and adult women together to collaborate on co-design tech solutions to address climate change in their local communities;
– Hands-on: using a “Learning by doing” approach for defusing any stereotypes, misgivings, or confidence issues; girls and women will experience a real-life innovation process by designing an app, developing a business plan, pitching an idea etc.;
– Social impact-oriented: Engaging with and learning through social action has a positive impact on young people’s attitudes and engagement at large; combining them with digital and innovation skills training formats, the purpose is to drive positive change.
– Community driven: creation of supportive communities of women to enforce confidence and self-esteem and promote gender balance in civic participation.
The events will take place in Belgium, France, Greece, Portugal and Moldova in 2022.
22 March 2021
We4Change Kick-off Meeting
On 22 March 2021, the Digital Leadership Institute and four partner organizations from across Europe launched the WE4Change initiative supporting “girls and women connecting for environmental change.” WE4Change is an EU-funded project aiming to foster civic engagement of girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds by empowering them to understand their strengths, develop digital, leadership and changemaking skills, and increase their sense of initiative in the social and environmental sector.
For the next two years, Digital Leadership Institute (BE), Stimmuli for Social Change (GR), Empow’Her (FR), Tekedu (MD) and ZERO Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável (PT) will work together to offer an innovative combination of hands-on activities, training on digital, innovation and environmental awareness skills, problem-solving and co-creation of prototypes to address climate change, responding directly to the needs of young women to break down stereotypes, develop their creativity and confidence, and contribute to society.
The first project meeting took place on the 23rd of March 2021, with project partners discussing the first project phase aiming at setting a solid and appropriate foundation for the development of the We4Change project. The first steps include a context specific gender analysis that will be conducted in each participating country looking at i) youth policy & youth participation programmes, ii) environment & climate, iii) digitalization and innovation related to the issues tackled by the project to ensure the appropriate development of the trainings and materials to be developed throughout the project.
