Actions against climate change are boosted through effective linkage between governments, civil society and private sector, in order to achieve truly meaningful impact.

From this perspective, to mitigate climate change, the process of articulating diverse organizations that can be impacted or related to a specific action must fulfill the criteria of accessibility, sustainability, relevance, gender equality and social equity.

Set the foundation

In order to include others in an initiative, it is key to understand the government climate agenda in the country where it is located. Often, this agenda corresponds to an action plan designed by the public sector based on international agreements and specific challenges for the country with regards to climate change. 

Adapt and understand scenarios and possibilities 

With the framework provided by a government’s ‘blueprint,’ initiatives and/or strategies derived reveal possible scenarios in which civil society, other government and/or or private sector institutions can be included to ensure these actions are in the right path. It is not just about including those who ideally would want to be informed on the process, but also to contribute with their own human, financial, and knowledge resources available.

Obtain the certificate ‘How does citizen participation contribute to government climate agendas?’

The IDB Group has identified different stages in which these stakeholders can generate meaningful connections that allow to materialize these ambitions:

1. Relevant information exchange between different stakeholders 

2. Dialogue between the stakeholders to refine and unify their work 

3. Public consultations to facilitate the sustainability of the initiative

4. Collaboration actions or teamwork to generate new knowledge on the context surrounding the problem addressed by the initiative

5. Partnerships or resource transference between the stakeholders so the initiative has a systemic impact and avoids duplicity in actions

In this sense, initiatives must include citizens and civil society organization (CSO) representatives, local, provincial, and national government officials interested in carrying out initiatives related to their countries’ climate agenda. Moreover, these individuals must be interested in receiving training to articulate projects that mitigate climate change in any aspect, possess general knowledge of the global climate agenda and its normative frameworks, as well as the ability to use topic-related information for their initiatives.

What everyone brings to the table

So these different stakeholders can utilize these engagement stages with efficacy, efficiency and productivity, it is necessary for them to possess knowledge and/or experience in: 

• Development effectiveness
• Management strategies
• Risk management
• Analytic and critical thinking
• Inclusion and diversity awareness
• Project management
• Effective communication

Download our publication ‘Governments and Civil Society Advancing Climate Agendas’

Effective articulation of citizen participation in the design and implementation of climate solutions is pivotal to lower the planet’s temperature, as well as to achieve the 17 goals of sustainable development. If you want to know more, download our diagnostic study ‘Governments and Civil Society Advancing Climate Agendas‘ to analyze best citizen engagement practices already working in Latin America and the Caribbean.

If you are interested in receiving training and certification in these practices, register soon for our free online course.