Social organisations reach millions of people and enjoy a high level of trust, particularly in rural and structurally disadvantaged regions. At the same time, climate-related issues such as rising energy costs, affordable transport and climate-friendly housing are playing an increasingly important role for many of their members. Nevertheless, these issues have so far rarely been firmly embedded in the organisations’ work.
Through the project „Strengthening Climate Action in Social Organisations“, we are supporting volunteers and staff at the Social Association of Germany e.V. (SoVD) and of the VdK Germany Social Welfare Association e.V. building climate teams and permanently embedding climate issues within their associations. Together, we develop formats that tap into the interests and daily lives of members and connect climate protection with social issues.
To this end, we work closely with the national and regional associations of the SoVD and the VdK, with whom we have been networked for many years. Through interviews, research and direct dialogue with volunteers and full-time staff, we identify suitable entry points for climate issues, recruit committed members for the climate teams and encourage them to network with one another.
The climate teams develop and trial activities on the ground that meet both the needs of members and the objectives of the organisations. Successful approaches are disseminated via the social organisations’ existing networks and communication channels and integrated into the organisations’ work in the long term.
With this project, we aim to:
