Climate Dialogues Without Borders: Collaborative Media Advocacy

 

Join us in this journey around the EECCA to learn about collaborative initiatives created by the Climate Dialogues participants. Previously we already shared the concept and program of the workshop that took place in Tbilisi in May 2024. Climate Dialogues continues to focus on uniting network members and regional climate activists to strengthen regional partnerships and drive intergenerational climate action.

Each year the program experiments with different concepts within the climate advocacy agenda and improves based on the lessons learned. In 2024 we introduced a peer-to-peer mentorship, where participants could try the role of a mentor to an assigned pair while being a mentee in another pair. Mentors were selected among participants who had more practical experience in media advocacy, as well as among the trainers. During the 6 months, participants cooperated in pairs and with the assistance of a mentor to create collaborative advocacy media materials to be later published on the national media platforms in the national languages of the participants.

 

The materials ranged in topics, covering:

• Just transition and social justice
• Climate adaptation and vulnerability
• Role of civil society in combating climate change
• Decolonial approaches in climate action.

 

Let’s have a look on how shared concerns, exchanged ideas and diligent researchers led to the development of highly anticipated materials.

 

A pair of Climate Dialogues alumni from Ukrainian NGO Rozviy Youth Climate Initiative, Viktoriya Ball and Valeriia Bondarieva, co-wrote the article on an urgent and crucial topic of the prospects of green recovery for post-war Ukraine. “Our article aims to lay out the case for the green recovery of Ukraine as a unique opportunity for a socially just economic transition, as well as a reason for hope amid decades of wars in our region due to the chance to improve the resilience of local communities with projects led by civil society. We hope to show that Ukraine’s youth is not alone in its hope and ambition for a better future, as young people in other countries affected by Russian aggression want to be a part of such change too”, – concluded the authors. You can read the full article in English on Rozviy’s website or in Russian here.

 

A pair who decided to remain anonymous published this article on the role of civil society in just transition in Central Asia. “Civil society organizations are critical in driving a just and clean transition in Central Asia by advocating for inclusive and equitable climate policies and increasing awareness about the adverse effects of climate change. They ensure that marginalized communities are not left behind in the shift to sustainable practices, promoting social justice alongside environmental sustainability. Through grassroots initiatives and community engagement, CSOs facilitate the adoption of renewable energy, conservation efforts, and sustainable development, thus contributing to a cleaner environment. By bridging the gap between policy and practice, CSOs help ensure that the transition to a low-carbon economy is both fair and effective, addressing the region’s unique environmental and social challenges” said the authors. You can read the article on Cabar Asia in English or in Russian.

 

A trio from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia – Gulnaz Jadigerova (Jasilim Initiative), Anara Alymkulova (‘Institute for Sustainable Development Strategy’ Public Fund) and Satenik Bakunts (Khazer) played a tribute to women at the frontline of the environmental movement. In the article they analyzed three case examples that illustrate how the inclusion of women can help develop climate adaptation practices that could strengthen the communities living in this region. “Addressing social limitation barriers through implementing gender equality policies and providing more access to resources can empower women and ultimately strengthen the entire community’s resilience. In this sense, traditional knowledge, especially in agriculture and environmental practices, plays a vital role in adaptation” conclude the authors. To learn more about stories of women innovators from Armenia, Karakalpakstan (an autonomous Republic in Uzbekistan) and Kyrgyzstan, please see the publication in English or Russian. You can read the publication in Armenian and Karakalpak.

 

Climate Dialogues alumni Zhaniya Khaibullina (Water Partnership of Kazakhstan) and Julia Amiraghyan (Centre for Community Mobilization and Support, Armenia) started work in a pair and initially selected just transition as their scope of interest, but closer the end of the program separated the topic into just energy transition and “personal transition into advocacy”. Zhaniya chose just and green transition in Kazakhstan as a topic of her material. In her article she made an overview of Kazakhstan’s current energy transition plans and interviewed Kashkinbekov Arman, a honorary ecologist and power engineer from Kazakhstan. You can read the full article in English and Russian.

In the article, Armenian activist – Julia Amiraghyan, shared a story of Aghasi Galstyan, a farmer who started his professional journey in the mining industry and later became an environmental advocate. To learn more about Aghasi’s story and see the pictures of life in beautiful rural Armenia, please click here for English and here for Russian.

 

Next pair of young Moldovan activists, Ilinca Modrînga (Fridays For Future) and Ilinca Ursu (Rural Revival) raised a topic of air pollution in the capital of the country – Chişinău. The article contains air pollution statistics, its effect on health and results of air quality monitoring which is “the first step in solving the problem” according to the activists. “Our impact as individuals is significant, and it becomes even greater when we share information and good practices with our peers” said the authors. To learn more about the tips to protect yourself from polluted air, please check the article in English, Romanian or Russian.

You can also watch an educational video on air pollution made by the Moldovan activists.

 

Ayan Shamchiyeva (Azerbaijan) and Nailya Mussayeva (Kazakhstan) explored the topic of traditional turkic ecological practices and effects of colonialism on climate change of the region.

Authors found common ground in highlighting the cross-border climate challenges in both countries: “The environmental situation in both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is becoming increasingly concerning, with both nations facing a range of pressing challenges. Issues like air pollution, water shortages, land degradation, natural disasters, and waste management are putting significant pressure on both the environment and the people, all made worse by a lack of widespread environmental education”.

Ayan and Nailya also introduced a Climate Justice Compass model in the article. “The Climate Justice Compass categorizes individuals based on their awareness and socio-economic status, enabling tailored climate actions for different groups. This approach ensures that both the privileged and the vulnerable are engaged in the transition process” highlighted the activists. The article also contains a quiz game designed to discover which of four categories best describes a person’s climate awareness profile. You can read the article in English, Azerbaijani or Russian and share the results of the quiz with us.

 

Stay tuned for the next round of Climate Dialogues where we will explore more intersectional topics, engage more activists and cover more stories about climate frontliners.

 

This material has been prepared and is presented within the framework of the project “Climate Dialogues” by CAN EECCA, supported by «BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany)», «The International Climate Initiative (IKI)», «FES Just Climate» and the international agency “Bread for the World”. The opinions, findings and conclusions expressed herein are do not necessarily reflect the views of above mentioned donors and CAN EECCA.