Below are some guidelines in executing two key elements of a successful climate action campaign – establishing strong partnerships and participating in events in your community. Often, the two tactics go together through co-sponsorship, tabling, etc.

Building Partnerships

Strategic alliances can add tremendous strength to your campaign. Good partnerships help your staff and financial resources go farther, expand your reach, and help build credibility and awareness of your climate action campaign. 

Identifying partners that are the right ‘fit’ is key to success and mutual benefit for both organizations.

Look for partners with:

• Complementary mission/goals
• Target audience overlap
• History of collaboration
• History of community involvement

Make sure both sides have something of value to bring to the table
Look for partners who can fill a need in your campaign; for example, alliances with PTA/PTOs are a great way to reach families and well-connected parents. These groups sponsor their own events and meetings where you could include your campaign’s materials, speakers and messaging.

Set clear expectations up front regarding what each organization will bring to the partnership, and make sure both sides are in agreement before moving forward. For larger-scale partnerships, writing up a Memorandum of Agreement can be a good idea to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Consider private, public and non-profit sectors
Different types of organizations bring different benefits to a partnership. Businesses can engage their customer base in the campaign and provide visible displays of their support on site; other city, county or state agencies and departments have their own communication channels, customers/constituents and resources to broaden the campaign’s reach; and non-profits are an optimal way to activate groups of citizens who are already engaged, connected and ready to make a difference in their communities.

Look for local media partners

Securing a local print, radio or TV sponsor for your campaign ensures that your message will reach a broad audience, and can leverage your resources for more than you would receive through a traditional media buy. Many media outlets have sustainability initiatives and welcome city partnerships that can add credibility and weight to their public service efforts.

Below is an example partnership assessment matrix for a climate action campaign.

Planning Successful Events

Events are a great way to build community goodwill, increase public awareness and expand participation in your city’s climate action campaign. Encouraging the community to see climate change as a local issue and take simple steps to help is often easier and more convincing in real time when people are surrounded by their peers.

You can either plan and execute your own events, or piggyback on existing local eco-focused events.

Creating your own events allows you to control the planning, messaging, and flow of the occasion. City-sponsored events can enhance your campaign’s credibility and visibility. However, planning events is time-intensive and often costly. Very often, partnering with organizers of other climate or environmental-themed events allows you to effectively engage your target audience without a large investment of time and resources.

Good reasons to hold events include:

• Climate Action Campaign kickoff
• Celebrate campaign successes and milestones (e.g., reaching a city-wide emissions goal)
• Action-oriented events that get people to experience a climate-friendly behavior (e.g. Bike to Work Day)
• Honor local climate action leaders
• Highlighting new partnerships
• Completion of an emissions inventory
• Climate-related speech by a high-level city official
  
• Forums, town halls

Good events to piggyback onto:

• Farmers markets
• Green festivals
• Climate/environmental conferences
• Neighborhood festivals/gatherings
• Lectures or events sponsored by environmental/community non-profits
• Outdoor concerts or fairs
• Art or film festivals

Key elements of successful climate action events

Relevance

Climate action events must make the issue of climate change relevant to the attending audience and their needs. People want to be part of issues and campaign that can make a difference for their family, their neighborhood and their community – event messaging, activities and calls to action should all tie in to this point. Local is key.

Compelling speakers

Nothing kills an event like a boring speaker. Make sure the presenters at your event are engaging, interesting and informed. Hands-on activities and interactive exhibits can help keep your audience interested in the topic.  Instead of using a traditional audience style lecture, consider varying the styles of interaction by breaking out into small groups or using interactive media.

Visuals

Make a visual impact and help people internalize your message about reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Use easy to understand charts, graphs, high-quality photographs and imagery to illustrate the climate action message. Avoid focusing too much on polar bears and ice caps; people respond to things that are relevant to their lives – their family and friends, homes, businesses, school, etc.

Interaction

People learn better by ‘doing’ – consider engaging attendees better by breaking out small groups or using interactive media. Encourage questions and answers, discussion and feedback around the topic. Limit speaker and/or moderator time, if possible, to give more time to open discussion/interaction among attendees.

Diversity

Include a variety of voices and perspectives, if possible. Young speakers/participants encourage hope and concern for future generations; older folks often have unique long-term perspectives on environmental issues. Prioritize cultural diversity – climate change is an issue that affects all of us, with low-income and minority groups often affected disproportionately.

Event Task Checklist

___    Date/location

___    Speakers and presenters

___    Equipment rental (tables, chairs, staging, etc.)

___    Audio-visual needs

___    Sponsorships or partners

___    Caterers/refreshments

___    Staffing needs (check-in, etc.)

___    Materials/handouts

___    Promotion/publicity

Downloads

Download a copy of this information:

Strong Partnership Events.pdf

Strong Partnership Events.doc