Equipping the next generation of leaders with the evidence-based insights, skills and connections needed to build and scale new initiatives for a just and equitable transition.
ABOUT
The Climate Equity Lab is designed to train, resource and empower youth, particularly young women and girls, to become leaders and social innovators advocating for a just and equitable energy transition across South Asia and the MENA regions. Large scale systems change is coming, and we need to equip the next generation of leaders to act now in order to ensure that efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a clean energy future are also just and equitable by driving policy, economic, and social change.
Women and girls are at the frontline of climate change and play a crucial role in both climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. They are often disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable communities around the world. Despite their significant contributions, women often face barriers such as limited access to resources, education, and decision-making processes and there are not enough women in decision-making positions on climate policy. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensure a just and equitable transition.
Our solution
We take a systemic approach to strengthen the capacity of women, girls and non-binary people to run successful advocacy and organising work for a just and equitable energy transition. Taking a systemic approach to creating change recognizes the interconnectedness of climate mitigation, adaptation and gender equality and will strengthen participants’ efforts and encourage greater collaboration.
We support young change makers to be able to tackle root causes in complex living systems, nurture relationships and collaboration, incubate and scale their initiatives while also prioritising the holistic well-being of organisations and the communities they work with.
Participants receive 12 months of practical training and coaching with experts in leadership, team dynamics, technical knowledge, social entrepreneurship, community organising, human centred design, campaigning and communications to grow as leaders, deepen and exchange knowledge, form new connections and test out innovative tools and methods with peers.
Our programme is designed to empower participants - especially women, girls and non-binary people - to create scalable climate solutions through a systems thinking approach, a community centric approach to design and advocate for a just and equitable energy transition. Participants will be supported to focus on getting new initiatives off the ground with stipends and seed funding for projects that demonstrate potential for impact through prototyping and testing solutions locally.
Together we will incubate and initiate community-based climate solutions for a just and equitable energy transition that address the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls. And support them in testing and scaling initiatives.
Building leadership capacity
Incubating local climate solutions
Stregthening climate advocacy
Accelerating a just and equitable energy transition
Proof of concept
The Climate Equity Lab was conceived after a successful collaboration between the Swedish Institute (SI) LeaderLab initiative and the Mobilisation Lab Collective. Together over the past six years, we have explored authentic collaboration across 18 countries in South Asia, Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe supporting over 500 emerging and existing civil society leaders focused on advocating for human rights, gender equality, democracy, and peace. Our learnings from the SI programme show that people need ongoing support and resources to create innovative long-term solutions for a just and equitable energy transition.
We are now seeking funding to build out a tailored programme using these learnings to drive large-scale system changes for a just and equitable energy transition initially focused on South Asia and the MENA regions.
“The Leadership Lab was a transformative experience for a young feminist and climate justice leader like me from Pakistan. It helped me embark on a journey towards connecting my work with regional and international leaders and organisations. Not just that, it proved instrumental in helping me gain the knowledge, skills and tools to indigenise international frameworks for local audiences in Pakistan. It led to cementing of our work pan-Pakistan and the curation of a year long diploma for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
“The transformational power of such platforms and programs is evident through the intersectional impact the leaders are having in different parts of the world. We are connected, but distinct and unique in our local context. And the leadership lab played a huge role in helping me identify my distinct and unique voice as a young feminist climate justice leader in Pakistan.”
Hira Amjad, Pakistan
Founder and Executive Director of DASTAK Foundation and SI LeaderLab 2022 participant
About us
Tracy Frauzel and Neha Saigal have a shared history of working on climate campaigns with Greenpeace. After leaving Greenpeace this connection developed into a powerful collaboration working together across several projects. Their work together for the Swedish Institute (SI) LeaderLab programme has supported more than 500 emerging leaders across 18 countries in South Asia, Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe to develop as leaders and advocates working to promote peaceful and inclusive societies (SDG 16).
What they learned from these programmes is that with structured support and resourcing, young leaders can be catalytic in building a just and equitable future.
Tracy Frauzel is the co-founder of the Mobilisation Lab and brings over 20 years of experience in environmental and human rights campaigning and mobilisation and holds a masters in design thinking. Neha Saigal works at the intersections of gender and climate change in India and has over 16 years of experience in designing, implementing programmes and facilitating networks for gender equality and holds a masters in environmental science.
We are seeking funding for an initial three-year period including seed funding and stipends to support young leaders and their equitable climate solutions. With your support, we will launch a first-of-its-kind climate and equity leadership lab fostering collaboration among young leaders working for a just and equitable energy transition
