In January, Aretina and Martina travelled to Vienna for the Feel4Climate development hub. The four-day learning experience wasn’t just about planning and presentations – it was a full-on collaboration with project partners to bridge knowledge gaps and begin developing a climate emotions toolbox and training materials. The goal of the toolbox is to create tools that help young people process feelings related to climate change and inspire them to take action.
The hub was central to creating a shared understanding of climate emotions and emotional resilience as a way of addressing the climate crisis, as outlined by Fridays for Future Austria. Participants focused on 14 key strategies for emotional resilience in the face of the climate crisis. These strategies are grounded in ecopsychology, sustainable education, and pedagogical approaches. From emotional processing to self-acceptance, each strategy provides a pathway for coping with the emotional burden of climate change, fostering both individual well-being and collective action. These strategies will form the foundation of the materials, methods, and exercises for the toolbox and workshops with young people. It was a collaborative effort, blending theory and practice to help everyone align on how to make a real impact with the tools they’re developing.
Key Takeaways from the Trip:
- Sharing Best Practices: Aretina and Martina had the chance to swap stories with other project partners, discussing what has worked well in their respective countries and how these methods could be adapted internationally.
- Building the Resources for the Toolbox: A central goal of the hub was to start putting together resources for young people that can be utilised to process their emotions around climate change, and take action.
- Developing Workshop Concepts: The team also brainstormed ideas for workshop structures and a Train the Trainer session, ensuring the tools they’re developing are both practical and impactful.
What’s Next: FoEM is excited to continue collaborating with their partners to build and refine the toolbox and develop additional workshops and materials that will truly resonate with young people. The insights gained during their time in Vienna will be crucial as the project moves forward.
Stay updated as the project progresses via our website and social media!
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
