BRINGING WOMEN’S VOICES TO THE CLIMATE TABLE
The Climate Sisters project, part of the Feminist Green New Deal project, is funded by Propel. The project aims to make systemic change by amplifying marginalised women’s voices in climate justice debates and in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Women from marginalised and diverse communities are often the first to be impacted by social injustices and more often than not their voices are the last to be heard. This is no different for climate change both here in the UK and globally.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
The aim of this programme is to amplify and centre the voices of the underrepresented and marginalised women in the climate arena. The approach to this is underpinned by values that challenge patriarchy, colonialism and white supremacy and uphold care, collaboration and non-competitive sisterhood.
THREE YEAR PROJECT
This three year project, aims to engage women from Tower Hamlets and Hackney through a participatory climate leadership programme.
Each year the project works with three to four groups, all completing part 1, the Feminist Climate Leadership programme with the option to complete part 2, creative project. This culminates in an annual exhibition and celebratory event, planned and organised by the groups.
Climate Sisters Year 1 – April 2023 – April 2024
Leaders in Community and East London Mosque – exhibition was held at the Barbican. Read more about it. and Stitches in Time – performance at the Brady Arts Centre. Read more about it.
Climate Sisters Year 2 – April 2024 – April 2025
Claudia Jones Organisation and Revoke. Exhibition and celebration to be held at Richmix on April 3rd 2025
Climate Sisters Year 3 – April 2025 – April 2026
To be confirmed.
The project involves two parts:
Phase 1 – 12 week Feminist Climate Leadership programme where groups of women collectively explore their priorities for climate justice at individual, local, regional, national and international levels.
Phase 2 – involves participants developing creative projects to showcase the ideas and solutions, working collaboratively with regular support sessions.
PART ONE – FEMINIST CLIMATE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
The project, which launched in June 2023 will give women’s community groups the opportunity for twelve of their members to join this 12 week Feminist Climate Leadership programme. Participants will be paid for their time (London living wage) and childcare will be available. In addition community groups will receive a small grant to help with related admin and outreach expenses.
The Programme will cover areas such as feminist leadership; the intersections of climate, racial and gender justice; confidence building; climate change causes and the impacts and how it connects with everyday life.
The programme will support the networking of the groups taking part as well linking them with wider networks such as policy makers, change makers and community activists.
PART 2 – CREATIVE PROJECT
The second part involves participants developing creative projects to showcase their ideas and solutions to climate change. Each project is a creative piece which disrupts the narrative and dominance that the written word is the only way to communicate knowledge. It’s all about creating spaces and ways for the women to have their knowledge valued, shared and their voices heard – bringing women’s voices to the climate table.
If you are a women’s or community group based in Tower Hamlets or Hackney and would like more information please contact roshini@wen.org.uk
Find out about our pilot Climate Sisters programme.
ABOUT OUR FUNDER
Propel is powered by London Funders and are being supported by a growing list of funders, including Bloomberg, City Bridge Trust – the City of London Corporation’s charity funder – The National Lottery Community Fund, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and main advice funders, such as Trust for London, coordinated by London Legal Support Trust.
