By implementing the Climate Champions project, our main goal was to empower local communities in effectively contributing to climate action and biodiversity conservation. We aimed to create a network of informed and skilled community members who through exposure to best practices and new learning, would then lead and inspire others in sustainable practices and also align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs at community level. We wanted not just to raise awareness, but also foster real change at the grassroots community level.
BCCCC (Climate Champions) addresses a key need for adult education via communities for climate change & biodiversity skills. It provides education, inspiration & pathways for meaningful change in European communities. Our partners experienced that, unlike younger generations, many adults didn’t grow up with heightened environmental awareness & climate activism education that youth are exposed to. Our needs showed that due to the sheer size & scale of the climate crisis & challenges, they often feel powerless to know how to even start to tackle it. Many live in locations without specialist education access & are part of minority communities. Needs arose for a whole of community, inclusive approach whereby adults are educated as community champions & from slow progress in contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development & the SDGS’s. The resources empower adults & educators to understand & access climate & biodiversity education providing a new field of socially inclusive, transferrable learning. BCCCC training is flexible, which ensured participation & inclusive of all levels of digital skills. It responds to target group needs. User test shows an increase in their civic, personal & interpersonal & digital capacity.