The first climate project at the Roma Cultural Centre since it opened in 2024.
Over ten weeks in Govanhill, Glasgow, twelve Roma women met weekly at the Roma Cultural Centre to talk, learn and make sense of the climate crisis in ways that reflected their own lives and experiences.
The sessions were part of Wen’s Climate Sisters programme, but the learning was shaped by the women themselves. Conversations connected climate change to everyday realities – family life, women’s rights, and the marginalisation experienced by Roma communities – rather than abstract policy debates.
“I was worried when I joined a 10-week, 3 hour long session. I thought, how will I focus on such long sessions? But it has been so much fun and full of activities. Now I can’t believe it’s over, I loved it and I wish we could just continue”- Climate Sister
For some participants, this was one of the few – and in some cases the only – educational spaces they had taken part in. Some women had not been able to attend school, while others had difficult or harmful experiences within formal education. Climate Sisters offered something different: a space shaped by trust, care and mutual respect, where learning was not about being tested or judged, and where women’s lived experience was recognised as expertise.
Learning from each other
The sessions did not follow a fixed curriculum. Instead, conversations grew from the women’s own knowledge, concerns and curiosity. They spoke openly about their worries around climate change and how environmental issues intersect with women’s rights and the marginalisation of Roma communities.
When new questions emerged, the group explored them together. Learning happened collectively – through discussion, shared searching and reflection. One conversation about how dams generate power in Scotland sparked particular interest, and the group is now planning a visit to see this in practice.
“Talking about climate change made more sense when we connected it to our own lives and communities .I never realised some of my issues were directly connected to this agenda” – Climate Sister
Building confidence and connection
Over time, many women described feeling more confident sharing their opinions and perspectives in a group setting – some for the first time. As trust developed, the sessions became more than a programme. Several women spoke about Climate Sisters as the only safe space they have outside their home to meet other women, talk freely and feel heard.
“I never spoke in class or in school and here my friends are watching me participate, they can’t believe it. I just feel passionate about the personal experiences we are sharing” – Climate Sister
Community-led climate justice
The programme was hosted in partnership with Romano Lav, a Roma-led organisation rooted in community voice, youth leadership and horizontal organising. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to climate justice that is led by communities themselves and grounded in lived experience.
Here, climate action is not about being spoken for or represented by others. It is about creating space for women to lead conversations, ask questions and shape ideas on their own terms.
Looking ahead
With Phase 1 now complete, the group is about to begin Phase 2 of Climate Sisters. Over the coming weeks, the women will develop creative projects to share their learning and ideas publicly, with a showcase planned later in the year. There is a strong sense of anticipation – many are keen to stay involved and excited about what comes next.
This work is a reminder that climate justice begins with listening and recognising women as experts in their own lives – especially those whose voices are too often overlooked.
Photo shared with permission from participants at the Roma Cultural Centre, Glasgow.
Find out more about Climate Sisters
