Description
Climate change (CC) is one of the biggest global challenges, and yet it is not recognized enough by the Lithuanian society and government. NGOs working in the area of CC policy-making are few, and their activities are limited by lack of resources and advocacy capacities. The project aims to increased involvement of NGOs in CC policy and decision-making processes through advocacy training and providing hands-on experience of participation in national and international political processes. Moreover, the project develop network of environmental NGOs and increase its sustainability. NGOs advocacy training shall be followed by creation of tailor-made advocacy guidelines for environmental NGOs in Lithuania. Project partners will participate in COP 19 in Warsaw, and expand their networking activities within international environmental NGO networks. Establishment of dialogue with national stakeholders shall serve as a platform for round-table discussions on Lithuania’s votes in the EU Council, campaign during EU Parliament elections, and meetings with media. Awareness of general public shall be raised through social media channels.
Summary of project results
Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges, and yet it is not recognized enough by the Lithuanian society and government. In February 2011 Council of Europe has set a goal to reduce the amount of green house gas by 80-95% until 2050 (in comparison to 1990). However, Lithuanian government and Ministry of Environment usually limits their actions and efforts to a level just to fulfil the minimum requirements. NGOs working in the area of climate change policy-making are few, and their activities are limited by lack of resources and advocacy capacities. Little cooperation with Ministry of Environment and other relevant state and municipal institutions does not allow proper exchange of information and cooperation for better policy making. The project aimed to strengthen role of NGOs in climate change policy-making by increasing their skills, and providing hands-on experience of participation in national and international political processes, and society engagement. The project has succeeded to make NGO role in climate change policy-making stronger and more visible publicly. To strengthen advocacy skills of NGOs, specific trainings have been held and advocacy guidelines have been prepared for Lithuanian NGOs. Project partners have extensively collaborated with international climate NGO networks, and participated in international climate negotiations COP 19 in Warsaw. Practical advocacy work was focused on two then current climate policy issues, one of them being decided during the Lithuanian Presidency period for the EU. When preparing NGO position statements and organizing a stakeholder discussion, NGO alliances have been developed and links with other national stakeholders pursued. In addition a successful climate pledge campaign has been implemented during the European Parliament elections in 2014. All NGO actions, as well as latest reports of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have been widely reported to the general public through media briefings and a newly developed social media channel
www.facebook.com/klimatokaita.
Summary of bilateral results