Climate Activism in the Caribbean

Climate Change is hitting poorer countries the hardest.
The small island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is one of the less economically developed countries in the Caribbean. Several times the islands have been affected by hurricanes and natural disasters.

The most recent disaster, Beryl - a Category 4 Hurricane struck St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 1st of July 2024. The Grenadines, particularly Union Island, Mayreau, and Canouan, were ravaged; 90% of the buildings on Union Island were severly damaged or destroyed and are still in the process of recovery. Our Climate Activist Program provides a global framework for understanding climate change and trains participants on how communities can manage and adapt to the challenges of poverty and climate change using proven and emerging solutions for implementation at the
local level.   This program will both inspire and challenge you to leave a lasting impact in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Together with your team, you will study in dept about Global Warming and Climate Change, Sustainability and protecting the environment.

First Month
Understanding Climate Change and environmental sustainability
The team immerses in study and research activities to learn about Global Warming and Climate Change, Sustainability and Ecological Farming. We learn and discuss possible solutions for a food, water and energy secure future and how we can better protect the environment.

Second Month
Practical Projects and further studies learning from RVA's Campus Climate Center Learning by doing: Preparing and implementing projects on campus which can include expanding the vegetable and livestock production. Increase the nursery capacity and rainwater harvesting while learning more about ecological farming and community mobilization. This experience builds skills that you will then apply in the communities.

Third and Fourth Months
Taking it to the Communities
Here the team carries out activities for a more sustainable future, ranging from teaching in schools, planting trees supporting families to grow more healthy food. Promote ecological farming or carry out beach, river and community clean up. During this time, you and your team will immerse yourself into a different culture from your own, building relationships with people and adding a unique perspective to your world. You will develop new skills and gain practical experiences while contributing to a better world.

Fifth and Sixth Months
Further Studies, Actions and Telling Your Story
Here the team consolidates their experience and engage in deeper reflections as a team, while also implementing self-designed projects with people in the communities or at the RVA Climate Center. A focus on how to creatively tell the story about how to protect the environment and create a more sustainable future. A final celebration of the experience is held with evaluations and hosting an open day with the people they have worked with during the program. Together with your team you will reflect on what changes and impacts you made as individuals and as a team. You will create information products containing your message as “Climate ambassadors” maybe videos, posters, photo exhibitions or presentations where you will share your experiences and insights, as well as messages from the communities you have lived and collaborated with. You will visit schools and organizations and share your experiences and stories with as many people as possible. These last months of the program are also a time of reflection and preparations for the next steps in your life.

Community living sharing the different responsibilities like baking bread, making jam, cleaning, cooking breakfast, doing dishwashing - basically doing what it takes to live your life -shared with others.
Then comes the Climate projects like planting trees, implementing organic home gardens with families, teaching in schools and communities, making a beach clean up, holding an Open Day, presenting and holding presentations for the public and much more. You work with your team in smaller Trios -together with the Vincentians making this country ready for Climate Change.

Le programme est composé de 1/3 d'études et de 2/3 de pratique. L'objectif est de donner aux volontaires les moyens et les connaissances pour mobiliser les locaux et les impliquer dans leurs projets (par exemple, impliquer une famille dans la construction de leur jardin, leur enseigner de manière active la permaculture).