Literacy for Climate Transition!
Promoting climate transition literacy through a club at the library and organising activities and campaigns to raise awareness about sustainable practices.
The Local Challenge
A coastal town in Portugal steeped in maritime tradition, Póvoa de Varzim struggles with car dependency and social isolation, the decline of local businesses and environmental impact. Working together with climate transition organisations and local community groups, the challenge is to inspire sustainable, connected and inclusive lifestyles among local residents as an alternative to the current lifestyle based on consumption. This initiative, led by the local library and Transition Seed Group, aims to address issues like these by promoting climate transition literacy and creating spaces for community engagement and sustainable practices.
The Initiative
The initiative has launched a “Climate Transition Literacy Club” in the municipal library, acting as a local hub to support community action and debate on climate issues. The library is also hosting a collection of publications on sustainability as well as organising capacity-building activities with experts, local businesses and practitioners to help share the knowledge and practical skills. Along with those activities, the community group will map and collect positive and inspiring stories of local people, projects and businesses that are already implementing sustainable practices. These stories will be documented and photographed in order to create an exhibition in the library and a publication, as part of a raising awareness campaign.
What’s Next?
The initiative is designed to create spaces for citizens to voice solutions to community issues, presenting results to local government to enhance climate adaptation plans. Activities will encourage public transport, cycling and walking. Expected impacts will include: boosting local business by promoting services and displaying campaign posters; reducing car use; fostering social connections through inclusive public spaces; and empowering residents with tools for sustainable living. As the host for these activities, the library’s role as a community hub will also be highlighted.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
