First Steps Before Ever Mobilizing Financial Resources to Support Sustainability Advocacies: Climate Change Writers’ Template

Climate change is an existential threat that demands urgent action from every corner of society. While governments, corporations, and international organizations play a crucial role in addressing this challenge, grassroots advocacy has proven to be a powerful catalyst for change. To effectively mobilize financial resources to support climate change adaptations and advocacy, advocates must follow a strategic path that ensures their efforts are impactful, sustainable, and transparent.

It is a fact that financial resources will be needed on the journey, however, mistakes must not be made to misunderstand that it will come easily, or should even be the impetus to start.

Let me do a brief dive into our story.?

It was on the first of January 2022 that the resolve to start Climate Change Writers was firmed up, it came from that place of direct impact - my home city, locality and people were constant victims of flooding. But no one saw it as a newsworthy item to talk about. Could there be others like me across the globe who wouldn’t mind becoming the mouthpiece of their communities, cities, and countries? If that were so, then I needed to create a platform for everyone to share their stories.

That very day, I got my first convert who still is our Head of Community; I went on to set a timeline of two weeks, the 15th of January 2022 - and true as it would be we were live on the 14th (I had the prior knowledge of building websites). We eventually got 3 more persons to join us (2 from India and 1 from Kenya) and so the journey began. Our goal was to create an avenue for people everywhere to share stories of the impact of climate change on their communities, while also proffering possible solutions - hopefully, it will be heard by those whose responsibility it was to fix issues like this.

But sadly that journey was not to be as we had several issues - technical and operational (including being unable to convince people to join us); we were trying to go global and then pivot to the grassroots, nothing like I had ever done prior to that. All my experience in advocacy had been in local communities.

Having hit rock bottom, we all went our ways and I to the drawing board. So it was till the first of August 2022 that the resolve to start again was firmed up. I yet again set for the 14th of August, got two hands (who in addition to the Head of Community are still with us as I write). We relaunched on Sunday, the 14th of August 2022, and have never stopped since then; it's been a year since, 3,726 writers (as of the time of writing), and many more wins (sometimes challenges - monetary, operational, and time constraints).

We have had to endure several issues still and we are learning to excel as we go on. However, the above journey has thought us a lot about excelling at advocacy, and it is incumbent that we share and help others excel at this. Below are our thoughts about the way to go (we hope it gives the insight we hoped to have had at the time we started out ourselves).

Identifying Real Needs

The journey toward effective advocacy begins with a clear understanding of the real problems that require attention. Climate change is a vast and complex issue, and advocates must carefully research and identify the most pressing challenges within their local and global contexts. By pinpointing these specific needs, advocates can tailor their efforts and resources toward making a tangible difference.

Conviction to Lead or Follow

Advocates must have an unwavering conviction to pursue their cause, whether they are leading a new initiative or joining an existing one. Climate advocacy can be demanding, requiring both time and emotional commitment. Without genuine conviction, the challenges can become overwhelming. Advocates should assess their personal beliefs and passions, ensuring that their advocacy efforts are fueled by a true sense of purpose. Plus, the mistake must never be made to believe you must start an advocacy, you could simply join-up with an existing one and provide the best of inputs as you can.

Counting the Personal Cost

Advocacy is not solely a matter of ideals; it also involves financial investment. Advocates must prepare themselves mentally and financially for the journey ahead. This means understanding that their own resources may need to be allocated to support the cause. This mindset shift is crucial, as financial involvement often goes hand in hand with meaningful impact. We did and are still doing this without external input yet.

Assembling Diverse Skills

Successful climate advocacy requires a diverse set of skills. From communication and media production to technology and stakeholder engagement, advocates should assemble a team of like-minded individuals with various expertise. Collaboration among individuals with complementary skills maximizes the advocacy's reach and effectiveness.

Partnerships, Recognition & Public Relations

To amplify their efforts, advocates should actively seek partnerships and external recognition. Collaborating with organizations, governmental bodies, and corporate entities that share the same goals can provide access to resources and networks that bolster the advocacy's impact. Awards and public recognition also not only validate the advocacy's importance but also attract more supporters and resources. Sometimes, partnerships can be easier than we thought - it would usually start with you reaching out.

Documentation and Transparency

Transparency is a cornerstone of successful advocacy. Advocates should meticulously document their progress, activities, and outcomes. This serves as a testament to the work being done and provides a foundation for seeking financial support (when the time is right). A well-documented history also builds credibility and trust among potential donors, partners, and supporters.

Navigating Funding

Finally, we are here; securing funding is a pivotal step in sustaining advocacy efforts. Advocates should approach funding with discernment, avoiding the temptation to pursue every available grant. Instead, they should focus on grants from government agencies, foundations, and corporations that align with their mission. Sponsorships from organizations that share the cause's values can also provide vital support, though advocates must ensure the sponsor's credibility and alignment with their advocacy's ethics.

Responsible Fund Utilization

Once funds are acquired, advocates must handle them judiciously and honestly. Resources must be utilized solely for their intended purpose, and thorough financial accountability is paramount. This responsible stewardship enhances transparency and cultivates trust among donors, stakeholders, and the wider community.

Final Thoughts

Effectively mobilizing financial resources to support climate change adaptations and advocacy demands more than just passion; it requires a strategic approach rooted in conviction, collaboration, and transparency - we can attest to this fact. Climate change advocacy is a shared responsibility, and through unity and diligent effort, advocates can be the change-makers our planet desperately needs.

The Climate Change Writers community is open to all. Take the step and join us. Please follow the link below to signup and create a Writer profile.

Our weekly LinkedIn Event - Writer Chat: Climate Change and Sustainability takes place on Saturdays, please join the next event on the 26th of August 2023 at 12 pm GMT.