The Local Catalysts programme is how the UK Youth Climate Coalition supports young people, between the age of 18 – 29, to get active on climate change in their communities.
The grassroots movement tackling climate change in communities across the UK is one of the best elements of the UK’s climate movement. In communities across the country, innovative and ambitious projects have inspired and empowered people in a way that distant, national-level projects are often unable to do. These projects are integral to solving climate change. As individuals, most of us have been part of this local movement for a long time. The Local Catalysts programme is how we use the resources, networks and training of the UKYCC as an organisation, and our personal experiences as activists, to support this community action.
In Autumn 2012 the first small team of Local Catalysts was formed. They come from all over the UK and from all backgrounds – some with experience of community activism but many for whom this is their first foray into activism at all. After a day of the best training UKYCC has to offer, Catalysts have connected online to mutually support one another in a wide range of community initiatives, with ongoing support from our Local Engagement Developers.
What the Catalysts have done so far…
Our catalysts engage with groups and individuals in their community, identifying the support they need and matching that to UKYCC’s skills, resources and networks. They are in the process of facilitating the delivery of that support alongside other UKYCC organisers – promoting cooperation between separate groups and even facilitating new community projects to catalyse action and collaboration. This is not directed centrally by the UKYCC. We support the Catalysts to take action on climate change in a way that they and their community feel is most appropriate for their situation. However we do also ensure that our Catalysts are connected in a way through which communities can access opportunities arising from the national projects and campaigns of the UKYCC and it’s partners.
What’s in it for the Catalysts?
This is an opportunity to be supported to play a central role in tackling climate change in your community. You will have the opportunity to inspire and empower young people in your community to make change, responding to a global issue at a local level.
They are supported as much as they feel they need. At the very least, we offer training in facilitation, public speaking, theories of change and campaign strategy. The UKYCC organisers they work alongside are experienced community activists, as some of them are themselves, so the opportunity for mutual support is invaluable.
Although we are not presently recruiting Local Catalysts, we are happy to accept advanced applications for our next round of training and induction, which is scheduled for the beginning of May. The responsibilities and person specification of the role, as well as how to apply, are outlined below.
Responsibilities
- Participating in community groups in your area, identifying the support groups may need
- Sharing ideas, information and opportunities between groups in your community
- Facilitating the delivery of UKYCC’s support (e.g. workshops, training sessions) to community groups, delivered either yourself or by another member of UKYCC
- Helping local communities engage with UKYCC’s ongoing projects at a national and international level, with the support of other UKYCC organisers
- Providing feedback from your community to help develop UKYCC’s resources for supporting community groups
- Participate in regular (weekly) skype meetings with UKYCC’s Local Engagement Developers and your fellow Catalysts
With potential for….
- Facilitating meetings and workshops bringing together different community groups – for example visioning or community mapping exercises
Person Specification (Desirable)
- You are an active member of your local community, or at least have a desire to become one
- You recognise the urgency of climate climate and are motivated to take action to solve it
- You have some experience working with community groups, charities or as a volunteer
- You would feel comfortable to deliver a workshops on a subject in which you yourself have been trained
- You recognise the urgency of climate climate and are motivated to take action to solve it
- Creative, versatile and adaptable
- A good communicator
Technical information:
- Applicants must be aged between 18 and 29 and must live, study or work in the UK.
- The role will take up around 5 hours or more a week, but this may include activities you already undertake in your community.
How to apply:
UKYCC is run by a friendly team of volunteers and this application process has been set up so that we can get to know you and your passions. There are no wrong or right answers, it’s just a way for us to get to know you better! We aim to interview most applicants.
Having read the role description, in 200 words describe how you would like to take this role forward in your local area. Please submit this alongside your CV to thomas.youngman@ukycc.org. If you have any queries, do feel free to contact Tom at the same e-mail address.
