Intersectionality and Climate Justice

The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue—it is a social justice issue. While young people with fewer opportunities (YPWFOs) are the most impacted by climate change and environmental degradation, they often have the least representation in climate movements, environmental projects and decision-making spaces. Youth work organisations require further support to fully leverage this connection, creating projects that empower youth with fewer opportunities (YPWFOs) to actively participate in and contribute to climate action and the green transition. 

Climate justice and Intersectionality are interconnected concepts. Climate justice focuses on ensuring fair environmental policies that do not disproportionately harm marginalised groups, who often suffer most from climate change despite contributing the least. On the other hand, intersectionality highlights the overlapping social identities that can lead to multiple forms of discrimination, which is important in understanding the complex impacts of climate change on different demographics. By incorporating an intersectional perspective, climate justice seeks to include diverse voices in decision-making to create more equitable climate solutions.

The training consists of a cycle of three activities: one residential and two online sessions. The residential activity will gather 25 participants for an intensive 3-day activity. This will be followed by two 2-day online activities occurring post-residential. The online sessions connect with a webinar featuring expert insights on climate justice and intersectionality. 

Dates of the activities*:

• Residential Seminar: 13-17 October, Romania (13 arrival day; 17 departure day; 14-16 working days)
• Online activity 12-13 November (2 x 0.5 days)
• Online activity 3-4 December (2 x 0.5 days)

*Before applying, please be mindful that selected participants are expected to commit to the whole process and take part in the 3 activities mentioned above.

Objectives of the activity: 

• Exchanging practices, knowledge, and tools on intersectionality and climate justice.
• Deepen understanding: Highlight the interconnectedness of climate justice with broader societal issues.
• Promoting inclusion: Raise awareness about the experiences of youth with fewer opportunities and methods to engage them in climate action.
• Networking and partnership-building: Foster collaboration between youth organisations from different European countries to develop and implement joint projects 

This seminar is part of "Bridging Voices for Climate Justice", a long-term project coordinated by SALTO Inclusion & Diversity that explores the intersection of the horizontal priorities of Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Inclusion & Diversity, and Participation in Democratic Life. The initiative aims to unite youth organisations, policymakers, and climate justice advocates, and it is built on three pillars:

• Transnational Partnership: Forging strong networks and centralised resources for inclusive initiatives.
• Capacity-Building: Empowering youth workers and activists to integrate intersectionality into climate and environmental-related projects.
• Knowledge Building: Sharing best practices and experiences to promote intersectionality in climate justice.

More info about the long-term project here.

Who is this for? 

We’re happy to welcome you if you have experience, expertise or a strong desire to learn and contribute to the main topic of the activity: “Intersectionality and Climate Justice ”, in the framework of the EU Youth Programmes Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps. Ideally, if you identify yourself as belonging to one or more of the following groups:  

• You have experience in environment, sustainability, and climate-related topics with a focus on engaging YPWFOs (young people with fewer opportunities).
• You are eager to integrate inclusion and diversity into your environmental work and are committed to a more equitable climate action.
• You are eager to integrate environmental and climate-related topics into your inclusion and diversity work.

We especially invite people to apply who identify themselves as having a lived experience of inclusion and overcoming barriers. This could mean, for example, but is not limited to, if you faced social, economic or geographic barriers, you have a disability, you are a single parent with a minority background, a young person living in an isolated, rural area, or a trans person going through the transition with a lack of emotional support. This activity will not be possible without you in the room.