100 Creative Agents of Climate Change
100 Creative Agents of Climate Change is a new art and activism project connecting change-makers from around the world with young people aged 18-30 in the UK, to develop their skills, knowledge and capacity in building creative campaigns to mobilise communities in the fight against climate change.
The project involves the delivery of an online residency programme co-curated by young people and focused on understanding and communicating the current and future threats to our climate. Young people will utilise ideas in creative campaigning from around the world to make their own projects and campaigns to engage other young people from their communities (on and offline) with a clear call to action. They will develop skills in climate knowledge/literacy, cultural leadership, creative activism, cultural production and management, entrepreneurship and creative skills for making change, advocacy, campaigning and influencing policy.
Project structure
APRIL 2024
Recruitment of Youth Advisory Board.
MAY/JUNE 2024
Recruitment of additional young people to take part in online residency.
JULY 2024
An art and activism residency programme led by In Place of War’s international network of climate changemakers.
AUGUST 2024
Seed funding allocated to 10 young people to develop their climate advocacy creative community projects.
SEPTEMBER 2024
4-day in-person residency for seed funding recipients.
AUGUST - DECEMBER 2024
1-1 mentoring sessions with 20 young people.
JANUARY - MARCH 2025
Young people deliver seed-funded projects in their communities
APRIL 2025
100 Creative Agents of Climate Change showcase event and roundtable with key stakeholders in the climate policy space.
MAY-JUNE 2025
Project reflection and evaluation.
BENEFIT TO YOUNG PEOPLE
1 young person from each partner organisation will receive £100 to participate in the Youth Advisory Board. They will be instrumental in the co-curation of the project, developing their knowledge of climate activism and honing skills in project design. This embeds insight, experience and ideas of young people into the 100 Agents of Climate Change programme to ensure the project is as accessible, engaging and relevant as possible.
An additional 9 young people from each partner organisation will attend an online residency. Programming will span talks, workshops, events, film screenings, showcases, exhibitions, live streams, gigs and more, covering a wide range of topics and opportunities relating to creative climate activism. The residency will be interactive and innovative in its approach to engagement and will create authentic and safe spaces for connection and collaboration.
All participants will receive a refurbished laptop to keep.
10 projects led by young people will receive a total of £15000 in seed funding to develop their climate advocacy creative community projects. Seed funding recipients will also be given the space to develop their ideas at a 4-day in-person residency at XCottage in Shepton Mallet.
20 young people from across the project will receive 1-on-1 mentoring from In Place of War’s change-maker network.
Young people will have the chance to meet key environmental stakeholders, including representatives from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) at the Environmental Funders Network event in December 2024.
SEED FUNDING RECIPIENTS 2024-25
Finlay Carroll
@spreadtoofinlaywork @scatter_co
Finlay ran a four-day writing retreat at XCottage, Somerset, to develop Pete Will Save this House, a musical about eco-grief, activism, and the role of institutions in reaching net zero. Finlay worked with songwriter, Phoebe Jasper (aka NAVVY) and a scriptwriter, Holly Fitzpatrick, creating song demos, conducting focus groups with young activists, and receiving mentorship on rewilding and ecological activism from the XCottage team to inform the show's setting and artistic aims.
Finlay said of his support on 100 Creative Agents of Climate Change: “Seed funding allows me to work with more experienced and ambitious artists in my climate advocacy work. In Place Of War also introduced me to new collaborators at XCottage who ended up providing the most inspirational environment to test a collaboration in my residency.”
Olivia Maurer
@olivia.maurer @2050climategroup
Olivia’s project, Turning Climate Anxiety into Climate Action with Theatre of the Oppressed, invited Glasgow climate activists to explore how theatre can help to collectively work through the paralysis and apathy that climate anxiety can provoke. It also provided an opportunity for individuals to get out of their comfort zones and see how art can be used to imagine community climate action.
She summed up the 100 Creative Agents of Climate Change as Invigorating, Gratifying Challenging.
‘The support from 100 Creative Agents of Climate Change has been invaluable, as I would not have felt confident or capable enough to embark on a project like this alone.’
holly craig
Holly delivered workshops in her local community of Burnley, inviting residents to use visual art and writing to envision their local green spaces for improvements and show off the beautiful places on their doorsteps.
On the impact of In Place of War’s support, Holly said: “The workshop and exhibition were both a huge success and I am super grateful for getting the funding and the help to make it possible!”
She summed up the 100 Creative Agents of Climate Change project in these three words: wonderful, life-changing, helpful.
Lauren Pencil
Lauren created No Wasteman Magazine (@nowastemag), a print publication exploring the intersection between sustainability, community and cultural heritage.
Support from 100 Creative Agents of Climate Change gave Lauren ‘the encouragement and funding to actually realise and develop a project that I am passionate about. It has allowed me to commission and support the work of fellow creatives, meet new people and create a sense of community. The guidance from In Place of War has allowed me to be optimistic about the longevity of this project, and how I might build it and secure funding for the future.’
Talia Nizarane
Talia's project explores the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on women in the Global South through storytelling and role-playing.
‘In Place of War supported my creative project from inception to completion, helped me build a network of like-minded creatives, and provided valuable mentoring and accessible resources for my art practice.’
AMINA BEG
As part of her collective, @ajeeb_studios, Amina hosted a crash course into upcycling and fashion show teaching participants how to grow self-sufficient and confident in boycotting unethical practices.
On taking part in the programme, Amina said: “The support from the 100 Creative Agents of Climate Change has been instrumental in helping me develop and realise my project. It has given me the confidence to take on challenges outside my skill set, such as upcycling textiles. This experience has not only taught me how to upcycle clothes but has also inspired me to
Emma de Saram and Natasha Pavey
Emma and Natasha worked together to create Bus-ted, a short film addressing climate justice by exploring the frustrations of navigating rural bus services in South West England, highlighting the disconnect between climate policies and the realities of public transport access.
Their project actively voiced the experiences of local residents who shared their opinions through a community workshop, and members of the public who were happy to speak to the camera at the bus station!
Camille Libby
Working with local artists and residents of @dovestreetcommunity, Camille created a collaborative mural, bringing people together to talk about local problems and solutions and the importance of community in tackling climate change.
Camille said of working with In Place of War ‘All the support through being able to ask questions and discuss ideas enabled the project to be realised. Without this, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to carry out this project. The funding enabled design sessions, food, drink and painting to be free for participants, which was so important in getting everyone involved.’
oNLINE RESIDENCY PROGRAMME - JULY 2024
The online residency content was driven by In Place of War’s change maker network around the world, as well as guided by the young people involved in the programme. Both weeks of the residency have a theme. Week one focused on Art as Power: how creativity can act as a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. Week two centred on Community + Climate Activism: how to use art to engage people around you in climate activism.
For more information, please get in touch with 100 Creative Agents of Climate Change Project Manager, Ailbhe Treacy: ailbhe@inplaceofwar.net
