12th Eastern European Academy for Social Democracy on Climate Action & Social Justice in the EaP region

The Academy will take place on October 2-6, 2023 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The climate change and its effects are still often underestimated in Eastern Partnership countries. Although some shifts are observed in this direction in recent years, in general policymakers, decision-makers, and the broader public still consider climate action as a luxury. Consequently, no sufficient measures are taken to mitigate the impacts of a climate change in the region. However, the impact of climate change concerns a wide range of urgent and interconnected environmental, social, economic, and human health issues. Thus, societies need to redefine priorities and consider the climate crisis among the top ones. This redefinition shall have us as humans and our long-term interests and rights at its core and needs to ensure that the consequences of climate change are not unfairly borne by specific groups. Addressing social inequality is necessary to address the root causes of climate change. In other words, climate action and justice are interrelated, and effective climate solutions must involve all communities to be just and equitable. Overall, climate action must go beyond reducing emissions and should consider how to build a more just and sustainable future for everyone.

To address the existing gap, this year’s Eastern European Academy for Social Democracy will be dedicated to the topic of Climate Action & Social Justice in the EaP Region. The overall objective of the Academy is to enable participants to address climate change issues and to foster innovative solutions and collaborative initiatives that contribute to sustainable development, climate resilience, and social equity in the region.

Through a combination of capacity building and networking, the Academy aims at:

• empowering individuals to take efforts to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment and address the consequences of climate change on a local, national, and regional levels;
• supporting local actors in driving positive change and creating a more sustainable future.

This is a unique opportunity for participants to connect with like-minded individuals, experts, and organizations working in the field of climate action and environmental justice in the region, fostering collaboration and sharing of best practices.

Seminar Conditions:

• Seminar working language – English
• Participation is mandatory during the entire 5-day programme
• All costs related to the seminar are covered by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Eligibility Criteria:

• Citizenship of an EaP country
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Political Science, Law, Environment or related fields.
• Applicant should demonstrate a strong commitment to climate action, social justice, and sustainable development, with a track record of relevant work and experience.
• Full professional proficiency in English