Make the Link – Climate exChange is a three-year project funded by the European Union. It promotes learning, dialogue and action on climate change by linking 11 to 19-year-olds in primary and secondary schools, as well as youth groups in the EU (UK, Netherlands and Bulgaria) with those in Africa (Malawi, Senegal and Kenya).
Participating schools and youth groups learn about climate change using specifically designed learning resources and a user-friendly, interactive web platform at www.mtl-cec.org.
The learning resources include flexible lesson plans, teaching resources and supplementary worksheets for young people, to explore the human challenges presented by climate change and the effect it is having on the lives of real people around the world.
Positive changes
Using the web platform, young people connect with one another via messaging, blogging and group discussions to exchange their ideas and experiences of climate change, and collaborate on projects and campaigns locally, nationally and internationally.
By discussing climate change with their peers abroad, young people gain insight into cultural differences, personal similarities and what they can do to make positive changes for the future of the planet.
Meaningful action
Schools and youth groups who are keen to get more involved in advocacy actions have opportunities to take their knowledge and turn it into meaningful action through campaigning at the school, community and national levels.
The project offers schools and youth groups the chance to win grants worth €100 and €300 for these campaigns and awareness-raising activities.
There are also national competitions for schools and youth groups to submit the fun and creative ways they are talking about climate change issues – this could be through video, photography, drama, essays, anything really!
The winners will receive €200 to put towards making their school or community environmentally friendly.
If you are a school or youth group in one of the six project countries visit www.mtl-cec.org to join.