The Climate Action and Democracy (CAD) project aims to empower young people with fewer opportunities from a rural area in northwest Ireland to become Climate Champions - active participants in democratic life while developing knowledge and skills related to climate action and sustainability. The project responds to barriers such as geographic isolation, limited access to decision-makers and low confidence in civic participation. Its objectives are • to strengthen active citizenship and increase understanding of democratic processes at local, national and European levels • to develop communication, leadership and digital competences through non-formal learning • to support youth-led advocacy on environmental issues. A further objective is to develop innovative youth work practices by training ESC volunteers to mentor younger participants using non-formal learning methods and support meaningful youth participation.